Peach Friedman
author, educator & trainer
intuitive fitness for women

I went ice skating for the first time recently in Yosemite National Park. It was freezing cold, and I had on six layers of sweaters and jackets! I loved the experience, though: the invigorating cold, the sharp sound of my skates hitting the ice, the music playing from the speakers in the rink, the breathtaking view of Half Dome, and all the other people, young and old, whooshing (and crashing!) around me.

Growing up in Virginia, where snow was only occassional and winter weather sports not particularly popular, I didn’t have many opportunities to enjoy cold weather activities outdoors. Sure, we built snowmen and had snowball fights about once a year when we got a big storm, but I only went skiing a handful of times.

One of the hugest draws to California is the variety of climate and landscape. Not only have I had my first ever surfing experience since living out here, but I’ve learned to ski in the Sierras, I’ve climbed an ice-and-snow-covered Mt. Shasta (twice!) in the southern Cascades, I’ve pitched a tent and camped on snow, and now I’ve ice-skated! Which is certainly the least arduous of my cold-weather adventures, but fun nonetheless.

That’s me, gaining on the summit of Shasta this past August.

We’re planning a trip back to Shasta in the next couple of weeks to take some avalanche preparedness classes, and intend to bring skis along this time so we can play around on the mountain. I’ve never skied outside of a resort before, and am excited (and a little nervous!) for the challenge.