Ski-Fest-O-rama

I grew up in a small town.  A very small town.  And it was fairly close to a very small ski resort.  Very, very small.  So that's where I learned to ski.  It's a lovely place--not terribly busy with a complete view of the lift and runs from the picnic tables in front of the lodge--and I wanted my kids to experience it.  So yesterday, we did.  Here are some highlights:

1) 20 people on the slopes.  No lift lines.  Each of us probably got 30 runs in.  The snow was great, too.  Perfectly packed with very few icy spots.

2) We decided (since Hesperus has a great lift ticket/rental/lessons package) to let Bella try her luck at the sport.  She looked like a mini X-games athlete, with her quirky hat, her coat unzipped, and her helmet askew.  She spent most of her lessons making snow angels and throwing snowballs at the instructor, so I thought she'd be done after the morning.  Not so.  This child is a demon on skis. 

 3) My youngest brother Dallin's fragile flower of a body let him down after one bad run.  Just like Mom said, "If you get a little bit of snow in your boots, you're going to be a sad little boy for the rest of the day."  Luckily, he had about 25 of those Hot Hands warmers in his gloves and boots, so he eventually recovered.  (Just kidding, Dal!)

 4) John was a champ, with only one fall as he took on a double black diamond mogol run.  (Actually he took a tumble in the lift line and sprained his wrist.  That's hard on his manhood, though, so don't tell him I told you.  Or you can say you heard about the wrist, but say that I said he hurt in doing mega-jumps in the snowboarding park.)

 5) Big G (my dad) took Bella on the "wagon" (the lift) so many times I lost count.  With the tips of her skis hooked together, she was unable to propel herself on level ground, so he had to drag her by one arm.  Watch the video at the end, it's hysterical.

 6) This is Bella's happy place.  When she was asked whether she wanted to ski with her dad or with Big G, she said, "Big G because he's got the science."  He definitely had the enormous task of getting her on and off the lift down to a science. (Thanks, Dad!  You saved me!)

 7) Karen (my mother-in-law) was by far the most graceful non-instructor I saw all day.  That woman can SKI!  Swish, swish, swish, gently and beautifully down the hill.  (In contract, I was more like SNOWPLOW! TUMBLE! TRIP! ROLL! down the hill.  I am not an athlete.)

 8) My dad looked his best when his hat was slipping off.  I like the top-knot effect this creates.

 9) John started skiing again after a good ice session on his wrist.  Luckily for his fragile tendons, he stayed upright for the rest of the day, despite his speedy descents.

 10) A little more X-games for all of you.

 11) Dallin was completely spent at the end of the day, poor baby.  We had to drag him back to the rental shack.  (Just kidding.  He posed here for dramatic effect.)

11)  This first video is Mimi skiing.  She's the hot shot coming straight toward the camera.


12)  This next video is Bella at her best.


13) This one is Bella's last run.  You have to watch for a bit before she comes into view.  She biffs it at the end, so it's definitely worth it.


14) And this one is my favorite, with Big G helping Bella along.  She would just hang from one arm and let him pull her along.  It appears she might be resentful, but I swear to you she was absolutely delighted with her situation all day long.  (Who wouldn't be with Big G ready to take you anywhere you want to go?)