For many, road trips are a chance to unwind or break from routine. For Alexia Krizia La Palerma, the road was just the beginning. As a creative director and freediver, with a toddler in tow, Alexia wasn’t heading to your average vacation destination. She was traveling to Thetford Mines, Quebec, with her son Leone, on a mission that combined exploration, motherhood, and personal challenge.
Behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, she set out not just to drive across snow-covered landscapes, but to dive beneath them.
Driving Toward the Unfamiliar
The decision to head toward Flintkote Quarry wasn’t spontaneous, it was intentional. Alexia, a highly skilled freediver, had been dreaming of exploring the quarry’s frozen waters. The drive from Montreal was scenic and demanding, with snow and icy conditions that would typically make travel a headache. But the Outlander PHEV handled the terrain with ease, thanks to its electric range, all-wheel drive, and generous cargo space which is key for hauling diving gear and travel essentials for both mom and baby.
That comfort gave Alexia more than just peace of mind. It gave her the ability to stay focused on the moment ahead.
Rest Stops with Intention
Before diving into ice-cold water, Alexia and Leone took time to recharge in the calm of nature. They spent a night at Centre de l’Hêtre, a forest retreat offering unique accommodations like transparent bubble domes. Sleeping beneath a canopy of stars helped ground them before what would be one of the most physically and mentally demanding experiences of Alexia’s life.
It was also a reminder: choosing bold experiences doesn’t have to mean sacrificing peace.
Into the Ice
When they arrived at the quarry, the scene was both serene and extreme. A thick layer of ice covered the deep, blue water. With the help of her team, Alexia cut a triangular entry point into the surface. Every piece of gear was carefully prepped. Wetsuit, mask, fins, safety line, and emergency support.
The descent itself was quiet, slow, and focused. The silence underwater, interrupted only by her breath and movement, became a meditative space. Beneath the ice, time seemed suspended. There was no noise, no clutter, just clarity.
Ice diving demands not just physical strength, but complete mental control. In those moments under the surface, Alexia found the stillness that draws her back to freediving again and again.
Returning to the Surface and Real Life
As she broke the surface and climbed out onto the ice, Alexia was greeted by Leone, bundled up and reaching toward her. The sight was a powerful contrast: the fierce independence of her dive paired with the warm familiarity of motherhood.
Her journey wasn’t about escaping daily life. It was about showing Leone and herself that adventure and parenting don’t have to live in separate worlds.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: A Reliable Co-Pilot
Throughout every leg of the trip, the Outlander PHEV showed up in the way that truly matters: it worked. It was quiet, responsive, and dependable. Whether navigating slippery highways or parked near a frozen lake holding hundreds of pounds of equipment, it held its ground.
This wasn’t just about horsepower or specs. It was about trust, knowing that her vehicle was as capable and versatile as she needed it to be.
Redefining the Edges of Adventure
Trips like this remind us that adventure isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s silent, slow, and deeply personal. It can happen behind the wheel or below the ice. And when the tools we rely on, like our vehicles, support us without getting in the way, we’re free to go further, physically and emotionally.
From the road to the deep, Mitsubishi helped make Alexia’s journey possible. And it showed that bold experiences aren’t only for those willing to travel solo. They’re for anyone ready to explore, even with a child on their hip.
