One Hill at a Time

It's watching them discover they can do hard things.

Every winter at Elm Creek, there's at least one child who stands at the bottom of a hill convinced they can't make it to the top.

"I had one six-year-old tell me the dinosaur stomp was not going to work for her," Jill laughed. "We agreed she'd give it a try anyway."

A few minutes later, that same skier reached the top of the hill with an enormous smile.

"The dinosaur stomp works!" they excitedly told her mom after practice.

Moments like these are why Jill continues to volunteer season after season.

She first fell in love with skiing herself in sixth grade during an outdoor education trip. What started as a school experience grew into a lifelong passion—one she now shares with hundreds of young skiers, including three of her own children.

For Jill, skiing has never been about being the fastest.

It's about building confidence.

"It's overcoming momentary discomfort to get warmed up out there. Enjoying the beauty of winter with others. It makes me feel unstoppable."

After several years of coaching, Jill has watched beginner skiers grow through the MyXC program before seeing their names appear on high school race rosters.

"One day these same kids will be parents, coaches, and older adults enjoying a slow lap around the Valley Loop," she said. "It's a circle."

That lifelong perspective is what makes MyXC so special to her.

She believes every child deserves the opportunity to discover skiing without pressure or barriers.

"It's so great that this club remains inexpensive and easy to fit into a family schedule. Too many sports are so intense right from the start. Your mission to help families enjoy winter is spot on."

When asked what she's learned from coaching kids, her answer is wonderfully simple:

"What happens if I fall?"

"You get up."

Sometimes the biggest lessons on snow aren't about skiing at all.