Stephanie Jagger (29), originally from Vancouver, grew up skiing as a "weekend warrior" at Whistler Blackcomb, north of the city.
The idea of a world odyssey struck her when she was riding a chairlift with friends.
"We were all just joking around and I said how cool it would be to ski around the world. We laughed it off and then I saw a sign that said `raise your restraining device'."
The sign inspired Ms Jagger to quite literally raise her own personal restraint and over the next two years, she postponed her career in public relations, broke off a relationship and told her parents she might be gone for a while.
"The biggest thing driving me forward is a passion for skiing and a passion for travelling. I thought I would combine the two things I love."
Ms Jagger plans to cover five continents in a journey that will last just over nine months.
She hopes to ski 1,219,200 vertical metres and so far has clocked up around 269,748m.
"The chairlifts in South America were a bit slow. The [week-long] storm in New Zealand limited my time a little but on the whole I've been really impressed by the speed of the chairlifts here and I've racked up some good miles."
Ms Jagger called into Queenstown to top up her New Zealand mileage before leaving New Zealand for the next leg of her ski trek, skiing Japanese fields, after a break in Bali.
"My first step in a ski town is always to go to a ski shop and ask questions about the area. The guys I met in the shop were so helpful.
"Just that level of friendliness will make me never forget Queenstown."
Ms Jagger rented a car in New Zealand and quickly embraced this country's hitch-hiking culture.
She said she met some "amazing people" who were hitching a ride on Southern highways.
Cardrona and Treble Cone had been her favourite New Zealand mountains to date.
"Treble Cone would have to be a favourite because of the people. I actually managed to set a personal record of 16,000m for the day while I was there."
"It was fantastic," she said.
Before landing in Furano, Japan, Ms Jagger will rest her legs in Bali, Indonesia.
Her ski adventure will then continue through India and Pakistan, the European Alps and the United States.
Her quest will end back on Canadian soil.
"If I manage to stay on top of my budget I might try and get to Russia and Alaska, as well, but most importantly I just want to make the distance," Ms Jagger said.
To check her progress, visit www.theverticalfeat.com
