I stood on top of the tall snowy mountain with my teeth chattering. By this point my lips were purple and my hands were starting to lose feeling. I looked down at the fresh powdery snow, where my skis were deeply covered. As I looked through my foggy goggles I noticed a large, steep mountain right below me. In the horizon there were several mountains with snow-covered peaks. The sky looked gloomy, and the sun was trying to peak through the thick layer of clouds. I looked to my right to see my father looking out into the distance. To the left there was no one; it was just my dad and I alone on this huge mountain. Off to the far left I could barely make out the sign that read “Experts Only.” The sun finally started to peak through the clouds and the warmth felt nice on my freezing face. At this point I knew I had to start heading down the mountain. The tips of my skis were just over the edge of the mountain. I was almost ready to go. So many thoughts were racing through my mind. A gust of wind blew again and I felt a chill down my body.  I looked around one more time to see my father starting down the mountain. I took a big gulp as I looked down at the steep slope for the last time. I whispered to myself  “Now. You have to do this now.”

I pointed the tips of my skis downward and the rest followed. I was nervous at first, so I was a little shaky. Once I started to pick up speed I felt much more confidant. I was speeding down the mountain turning left and right leaving a snowy trail in my path. The wind was blowing against me and it was burning my face. I did not care; nothing could ruin this moment for me. I was at least halfway down the mountain at this point and I was practically alone. It felt amazing to have the whole trail all to myself. I looked out at the horizon and saw the beautiful snowy peaks. On both sides of me there were lush tall green trees dusted with snow. I was picking up such speed and I felt such a rush of adrenaline, one I had never felt before. As I neared the end of the trail I came to a quick stop, dusting snow all over my dad. I had a smile going from ear to ear as I looked back up at my accomplishment…the mountain.

I ripped off my warm black mittens with force. I dropped them to the snowy ground and lifted my reflective and now foggy goggles on top of my shiny black helmet. The sun was shining down on me again and it was piercing my eyes. I stood there and looked up at the mountain. Admiring it and just in shock that I had skied down such a hard trail. The time I spent skiing down that mountain felt as if it was in slow motion. I can clearly remember the speed I was picking up. I can remember the sharp and large turns I kept making from one side of the trail to the other side.  I had never felt such a rush in my life. I felt so confident and free as I soared down that mountain.

Accomplishing such a challenge felt truly amazing. When I flew down that mountain everything else in the world seemed to disappear. It was just the mountain and I. In that moment, as I skied down that trail I felt truly infinite.