“Hi, my name is Cassandra from Mainville ATV and Outdoors and I’m in over my head.” That’s how I wanted to start the intro to our latest video in Revelstoke, BC.

For the past couple of years, friends of ours have been inviting us to the mountains for a snowmobile trip. On our most recent trip, we were 9 riders in our group ranging from experienced riders (30 years +) to “My sled isn’t done break in guys!”.

You’d think riding experience is riding experience, right? Well that’s what I thought and boy was I wrong. Turns out my 2022 Polaris 850 Khaos Matryx RMK Slash is nothing like the 1998 Polaris Indy 600 XC I was riding last year.. or the snow bike I rented last year we went (that in itself is a whole other story).

Why do I put myself through this? Still trying to figure that one out.

Day one went as expected, low visibility, out of shape, and some throttle thumb to go with it. The difference is, this time I had an audience. An experienced audience, full of friends who wanted nothing more than to lend a helping hand and provide experience where they could. No pressure, right? Wrong. Knowing that the group desperately wanted to help me become a better rider somehow ended up with me putting even more pressure on myself than I normally do.

With a couple failed attempts under my belt and a few tears later, I was finally going to press on. Knowing when to admit defeat is not my best forte, but knowing I could ask for help made it easier. The number one advice anyone gave me coming into this was:

1. Don’t ride outside your comfort zone; and
2. If you’re not comfortable, don’t do it.

Where does this leave teary-eyed Cass when she’s at the bottom of a mountain unable to make it to the top without bailing? Doubled up with a friend, that’s where… a few times at that. But the 9 of us that went out on the mountain all made it back safe and that’s most important.

Day two was a new day. I was feeling a bit more confident and knew what to do in case I found myself outside my comfort zone. This day was different though. The skies were blue, we went to a new area I had never been, and visibility was fantastic. Who knew seeing where you’re going would make such a big difference?

I have to admit, even though I needed help up a pretty daunting hill, I absolutely killed it (in my own book anyways). I found myself comfortably pushing my limits, yet knowing when to stop and take a break. I even caught myself chuckling and laughing in my own helmet. It was so nice once I figured out how to navigate throttle control and weight bearing, but I still struggled with the whole concept of carving (still do!).

As much as I preach to others that Rome wasn’t built in a day, practice makes perfect, and things like this take time, I’m happy to announce I’ve finally started taking my own advice. For anyone out there learning a new skill, have you found yourself being harder on yourself than you would be on someone else in the same situation? If so, take it from me. Be nicer to yourself and in time, things will get better; and that’s when the fun really starts!