Living on the Edge: An Australian’s Wild Journey to Heli-Skiing, Snow Kiting & Building a Life in Alaska
Travel can change your outlook, but for some, it turns life completely upside down—in the best way possible. Jennie “Adrenajen” Milton, an energetic Australian, didn’t just dream of snowy peaks and wild adventure. She sold everything, crossed the world, and built a whole new existence fueled by courage, adrenaline, and a deep love for Alaska’s wilderness. Her journey from Australia’s beaches to Alaska’s icy mountains is as thrilling as any ski run. This is a story about chasing dreams, living on the edge, and finding bravery in the face of fear.
Teachers to Travelers Podcast - with Jerrod Pickering
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khnxt_oEzA8
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bDpYwBAOLFV3Qd8Eqzz9m?si=a0f361677d7d4669
From Down Under to the Last Frontier: How a Childhood Spark Led to Alaska
Jennie grew up in Canberra, Australia’s capital. That might sound formal, but her childhood was as active as they come. Her parents ran a sports shop, so her days filled up with skiing, windsurfing, sailing, biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding. If it involved snow, wheels, or water, Jennie was hooked.
The Snowy Mountains might catch people by surprise. When most picture Australia, they see sunburnt beaches, kangaroos, and the outback—not snow. But from June to October, the Snowy Mountains turn into a skier’s playground. There are about a dozen ski resorts. The mountains aren’t jagged, but while they may look gentle, they offer a serious training ground for any skier or snowboarder.
Sports Jennie Loved Growing Up:
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Windsurfing and sailing
- Mountain Bikiing
- Rollerblading
- Freestyle Ski Ballet
- Figure skating
While Jennie gained skill on those mountains, she would watch ski and snowboard movies, always dazzled by one segment—the Alaska scenes. The boldest, most skilled riders took on the steepest, wildest slopes of Alaska. Powder sprayed over their heads as they carved fresh lines. Jennie watched, mouth hanging open, hearing a friend say, “That looks so extreme.” Without thinking, she blurted out, “I’m going to do that one day.”
Nobody seemed to believe her, which only stoked her fire. She wanted to prove she could do the impossible: heli-skiing in Alaska, dropped by helicopter onto untouched, powdery slopes.
Years later, that day came. For her 30th birthday, she joined a group heading to Alaska for heli-skiing. It was supposed to be a “once in a lifetime” trip. Instead, it changed the entire trajectory of her life.
“I remember I had a radio on and I heard the guide say, ‘Hey Jen, your turn.’ My snowboard was strapped on. I scooted to the edge, looked down, and it was steep. My adrenaline was pumping. My only way down was forward—and that was the moment my life changed.”
Her first run was terrifying. She stood on the mountain, shaking with fear, but there was no turning back. She took the plunge, tumbled head over heels, but landed back on her board and made it to the bottom. The emotions hit hard—she burst into tears, overwhelmed with pride and joy. That feeling, of facing down fear and coming out stronger, stuck with her.
The Real Alaska: Courage, Community, and a Life-Changing New Home
Jennie’s first visit didn’t just deliver a rush. In Alaska, she met bold women who lived in remote cabins, chopped their own firewood, and rode snowmobiles over rugged winter terrain. Some lived without running water, and each one seemed as tough as the elements themselves.
These women weren’t just surviving; they were thriving. They inspired Jennie to want more than stories about sports—she wanted to live the adventures herself. Returning to Australia, she found herself unable to adjust. She missed Alaska’s wild joy. The adrenaline and sense of purpose she felt in the mountains wouldn’t let her go.
Unable to shake the pull, Jennie made a drastic choice. She sold her business, house, and sports car. With her savings, a mountain bike, snowboards, a camera, and some clothes, she flew to Seattle and bought an RV—all set for a solo journey through Alaska.
Jennie’s Alaska Bucket List:
- Visit glaciers and explore blue ice caves
- See polar bears in the wild
- Meet and learn from Inuit communities
- Immerse in local culture and landscapes
- Return to heli-skiing any chance she got
For twelve months, Jennie drove the state, exploring every road and soaking up each adventure. It was a complete reset—a new life, solo, and fueled by the call of the wild.
Discovering Snow Kiting: Turning a Passion Into a New Way of Life
Not every day in Alaska is sunny. Helicopters often stay grounded in stormy weather. While some huddle inside with a hot drink or a whisky, Jennie looked for other ways to satisfy her craving for adventure. That’s when she stumbled onto snow kiting.
Unlike the small kites that kids fly in parks, snow kiting uses big traction kites just like kiteboarding on water. These have four lines and a harness that straps to your body. The wind powers the kite, pulling the rider over snowy flats, up hills, and even up entire mountains with enough skill. It’s like blending skiing or snowboarding with windsurfing—except on snow.
At first, progress was all falls and laughter. But Jennie’s determination fueled daily practice. Over 20 years, she became one of the best. In the process, she found more than just a sport—she found partnership. Steve, a heli-ski guide and windsurfer, introduced her to the basics, and they quickly became a team on and off the snow, eventually marrying in the Alaskan mountains.
How Jennie Built a Snow Kiting Life:
- Founded a snow kite school in Valdez, Alaska
- Gained certifications in kiteboarding instruction, avalanche safety, and backcountry guiding
- Ran lessons and tours for tourists looking for wild fun when heli-skiing was grounded
- Helped run an annual snowkite festival, drawing people from around the world
- Ran Women's snowkite camps in Idaho, Australia and Alaska
With business and passion united, Jennie’s days became filled with teaching, kiting, and community building. She never did sell that RV—it stayed, ready for new journeys every year.
Her competitive side stuck around, too. She’s raced in global events like the Red Bull Ragnarok in Norway and is still ranked among the world’s top female snow kiters.
Snow Kiting Competitions: Quick Facts
- Not currently an Olympic sport. Kiteboarding on water was included in recent Olympics.
- Snow kiting hosts world championships in locations like USA and Norway.
- Events feature racing, course circuits, and freestyle.
Finding Purpose Through Challenge: From Brain Surgery to Storytelling
Adventure can be risky. Jennie faced her biggest challenge not on a mountain, but in a hospital. Diagnosed with brain aneurysms and forced to undergo three brain surgeries, she questioned everything. Would she still be “Adrenajen” without her sports? Who was she if she couldn’t chase adrenaline every day?
During recovery, a quote from Tony Robbins hit her deeply: “Is there more knowledge in a graveyard or a library?” She realized she needed to share her stories so others could find courage, too.
The “Gale and the Red Kite of Courage” Book Series
Jennie turned to writing, launching a series of children’s books centered on courage, resilience, and the power of wind and flight. The first book, Gale and the Red Kite of Courage, follows Jennie and her brother as children in Australia. Her brother suffered from cancer and lost a leg, but learned to thrive again. Jennie herself overcame depression through kite flying—rediscovering her joy and bravery with the help of family.
All profits from the book go to children’s cancer charities. Jennie visits schools, hospitals, and libraries, reading her stories and inspiring young kids to face hardships with hope.
Book Callout:Gale and the Red Kite of Courage A true story about finding courage, healing, and the joy of flying kites, inspired by Jennie’s childhood and her brother’s journey to becoming a champion one-legged skier. Available on Amazon.
The second book, Gale and the Wind Warriors, introduces kids to snow kiting and wind sports. Jennie’s mission is clear: turn her challenges into support for others and spark bravery in the next generation.
Five Ways to Build Courage—Inspired by Jennie’s Story
- Try new things, even if they scare you. The first step over the edge is always the hardest—even if it’s just speaking up or trying a new hobby.
- Turn dreams into decisions. Saying “I’m going to do that” plants the seed for action.
- Practice, fall, and get back up. Every stumble is a lesson. Jennie face-planted countless times before mastering snow kiting.
- Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Alaska’s women showed Jennie that bravery can be a way of life.
- Share your wins and lessons. Whether by writing, teaching, or mentoring, giving back builds your sense of purpose.
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about finding out what you’re made of, learning from the world, and sometimes coming home as a completely different person.
For the full interview, listen to Jennie share every wild, heartfelt moment on the Teachers to Travelers podcast channel.
The Takeaway: Say Yes to the Adventure
Jennie’s story teaches us that the biggest leaps happen just outside our comfort zone. Whether you’re leaping out of a helicopter on Alaskan snow, learning a new skill, or finding your courage in daily life, don’t let fear hold you back.
Sometimes, fear says "not you"—but adrenaline answers, “Watch me.” Let that spirit carry you toward your own adventures, wherever they may lead.