Ski (in Video)

A Week in the Mountains

Lots of pictures ahead, and the look a lot alike... snow, skis, and trees.

This year our trip to Vail was timed perfectly with Freddie's newly found confidence on skis.  He literally could not get enough time skiing.  He was eager to get going in the morning and did not want to leave until the lifts were closed.

He was so excited to go on Mama's favorite lift, The Sourdough Express, chair 14.  And he was quite impressed with himself to go on some "intermediate runs."

Literally nothing intimidated him.  He would get to a run, and down he'd go.  It didn't matter if it was bumpy or steep or loaded with people, he was going to make his way down.  He had great control but I did see him push it a little and try for some speed.  He was eve trying to do a some jumps here and there when he'd hit a little bump.

Charlie has got his skier.  Next up on is whipping that little Hansie into shape.  Poor kid did not have the best week.  He couldn't last more than a few hours each morning but rather than heading home he wanted to wait it out until everyone was ready to go home.  

That meant some tears and fits and demands that EVERYONE come home with him.  Oh, Hans.  It is hard to be the little guy.  We were asking a whole lot of him bringing him up the lifts outside of the beginner area.  

Sad Guy

Hansie did do some skiing though.  He like racing against anyone would would zoom down the mountain with him.

And he actually made some progress with his turns and stopping.  I think next year will be very different for him.

We celebrated Freddie's birthday a few days early with a cookie cake decked with a number 6, just as he requested.

And he got his snowboard as a gift.

He found the snowboard a little frustrating since he was back to being a beginner, so his interest didn't last long, as we suspected.  He had great balance, but learning to turn and control will take some time.

Hans was too awesome for any help, of course.  

The kid is fearless.

It was nice to be in the mountains together.  

I know Charlie is happy to have some buddies for future ski trips.  It is nice to have another activity to do as a family.

Until next year...

More Skiing

This past weekend we headed to a small mountain just about an hour away.  Tuxedo Ridge has been recommended to us by a few skiers as a great place for novice skiers.

Breakfast!

It's our closest option and is a great spot for beginners.  It is tiny, just two double chair lifts and 7 trails, and with its proximity to the city it can evidently get rather crowded.

No one set an alarm but we got up when Hans got up about 7.00am.  Somehow were were in the car by 8.30am.  After stopping for donuts, parking the car and suiting up, renting skis for Charlie and me, and purchasing lift tickets, we were finally on the first lift by 10.45am.  Not bad.

The crowds did grow by midday and the lines for the two lifts did get long.  The boys didn't mind at all.

The lifts were a little scary...old and they moved fast.  The lift operators were some inattentive teenagers so that didn't help. Somehow none of us got taken out by a char or fell off the lift, but Freddie did have to ride the lit down after not hopping off.  He was surprised on the second lift when his skis didn't quite touch the ground and I wasn't prepared to prep him for it.  I gave a quick talk about just going for it and hopped off, but he didn't follow.  He was a bit panicky, but Charlie skied down and followed his chair all the way down talking him through it.  After he finally got up the courage to try that lift again, I actually found him to be super confident on the lift.  He seemed to think he could handle anything now.

It took a few runs to get them warmed up but both boys skied really well.  Hans is about speed and Freddie is about control.  Hans refuses to turn even though he is capable.  He wants to go straight down and will even head for the snowbank and trees in the hopes that you'll somehow agree to ski in the trees with him.

One day he'll decide he doesn't want to be leashed, but for now he just howls if he thinks you're slowing him down too much.

Freddie did not shy away from the steeper hills and was comfortable making his way down all on his own.  He would just go and then wait for me at the bottom.  He wasn't interested in me talking him through it at all.

Freddie could ski all day.  He'd be thrilled with being the first person on the lift and staying until the lift closes.  Unfortunately his brother doesn't have the same stamina, and he's not so keen on being left behind.

There were some tears when Freddie opted not to take a break that only a $4 Gatorade could remedy. He certainly pushed himself beyond his limit trying to keep up with Freddie.  Charlie ended up having to hold him in the lift line.  He was obviously tired but did not want to stop without his brother.

It's hard being the little guy.  Especially a little guy who decides he has to poop and wants to be taken home to poop in his own bathroom.  Yep, that was a fun 25 minutes spent in the stall of the bathroom with him.

We called it quits a bit before closing and were in the car by 4.45pm.  

Not too much traffic and everyone was in bed at their normal times.  Perfect weekend fun, if you don't consider the laundry. (Yes, I wash their snow clothes because between lunch and the bathrooms and leaning on every dirty car in the parking lot it is much needed!)