Every time winter rolls around, 10-year-old Haley feels like she’s missing something. That’s because snow rarely ever falls on her hometown in Texas. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® offered to make her fondest wish come true, she asked to visit Alaska so she could enjoy the snow and all the cool fun that comes with it.

Haley, who was diagnosed with leukemia, started her first full day in Alaska with a dogsled trip through snow flurries. It ended with dinner for Haley and her family atop a snow-capped mountain. As her wish continued, Haley saw many of the Last Frontier’s wildlife. She watched polar bears at the Alaska Zoo and took a behind-the-scenes tour of Alaskan SeaLife Center. She even got up close to many of the animals, including the penguins. During her final few days in Alaska, Haley hit the ski slopes. She was a quick learner, enjoying the sound of her skis rushing over fresh powder.

“Thank you very, very much for the trip,” Haley wrote. “That was a trip I’ll always remember. I had a blast!”