Monday, January 04, 2010

Ski Day

Who is crazy enough to teach a 2 year old to ski?

We are!

But, you already knew that.

One of my biggest reservations with leaving Colorado for KC.....other than it being Colorado.....was the options for skiing. I wanted to continue teaching our kids to love winter sports and so we researched a ton about The Midwest before Blake applied for the position here.

I was thrilled to find a ski resort just 30 miles away from us. And, it's a Peak Resort, too. Which means it's well run and typically stocked with good snow. Fake and real. Don't be too turned off by the notion of man made snow. A dirty little secret about Colorado resorts is that they have a ton of it. What mother nature lacks, man will provide. People want to ski. It's as easy as that.

So, we loaded up the little monsters and took a trip into Missouri for a day of fun. We had been once before...(travel report here)..with Caroline.....on an antiquing trip last summer. It's a great little town.



And, we're there!



I got the little ones settled inside while Blake and Carter checked things out.



Love the glove warmers by the fire.

Good accommodations......a lodge with lots of options for food and then a bar upstairs.

We sat near the bunny run......there's Carter showing the little ones how to hold onto the rope. I took most of these pictures from inside.....perfect spot for us.

Watch and learn, little brother.



Blake ventured out with Jack first. There just isn't a whole lot cuter in the world than a little punkin in ski gear.

The rope went too fast for the kids, so Blake just carried them up the hill.

Success!

Lainey's turn....her first try on skis. She could barely walk in the boots.



Blake used the WeeSki.....a harness to hold onto them as they go down the slope.

Look at my foxy husband.

Lainey giggled the entire time.......loved every second.

Blake carried her like a suitcase for quicker transports.



Lots of falls. More giggles.

"My did it! My did it!" So proud of herself.

I went up with Carter and am pleased to report he's the pro he was last season.





Notice the mascot on the lift......the kids loved him.











Back inside for an impromptu nap.

I took the little punk and let Blake relax. With a big beer. He deserved it, believe me!

Just waking up.



The sun sets and the lights go on. Most Colorado resorts shut down at 4pm......this one stays open well past that......usually until 9pm. Can't wait to go back and do more!


We were really pleased with the resort and think it will be a great place for the kids to continue learning. The conditions were good.....plenty of recent snow helped that. Lots more to explore.

So happy to find skiing so close! This makes me love our new home even more. Yep.....cold days, lots of laundry after bundling kids up, a ton of work to put it all together.....and it's worth every bit of effort. Lots of families stay inside when it's freezing outside. We venture out and soak it all up. It works for us!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

great pictures! you are quite brave, taking the little ones skiing. i'd prbably (no, DEFINITELY) prefer the fake snow. i'm not a snow person...it's just so (brace yourself for complete idiocy) COLD!

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

Looks like you had another great family outing!

Lauren W said...

So fun!!! Where is this place? I don't know if we are brave enough to go there, but I can dream.

Yellow Beads said...

great photos. What a fun time. Do you know I have NEVER been snow skiing!? NEVER.

The Soladay Family said...

What great fun! I have to say that after all of the outdoor winter activities we participated in while in new York, I am sincerely jealous you have all of that so close! The boys FELL IN LOVE with the snow, and ate every moment up!! Such great family times too! Lucky dog!

By the way, I saw you're reading Pilot's Wife....read it years ago and got completely HOOKED on Anita Shreve! I have read every single one of her books, and I love her style of writing! Enjoy!

Clare said...

Wow, looks like fun. I'm very impressed that your little ones like it, and looks like they did well.
I'm sure Blake was beat at the end of the day!
So, do you not ski?

starnes family said...

Oh, yes, I ski. I went up with Carter. Blake is way better than me, so he does more teaching with the kids. But, we all ski.

Dee Stephens said...

As you know I love to ski too! This is one thing I told Brad when we first started dating.
'If we ever get married and have kids...they have to know how to ski!'
As I said.. no big trip out West for us this year..just some East coast skiing :(

The Luis Family said...

What a great adventure! I am so impressed with Jack and Lainey. 2 and on skis! The pictures of all the kiddos are great!

We took Ashlyn out ice skating this past weekend and she starts snowboarding lessons in 2 weeks. Maybe she will someday be the pro that Carter is. I have never been skiing! I guess since we are here in Canada I should give it a try, but with our track record lately I might end up in urgent care :)!

Heather said...

How fun is that?!!? Y'all are such a fun family! Lainey's darling!

We've always wanted to take our kids skiing, but I've always heard how much work it is. Then we put the pencil to the paper and always opt for the cheaper beach vacay than a ski vacation. Maybe one of these days....

SASS said...

YAY LAINEY! I'm still so proud of the little giggling skiier!
I learned to water ski at 5 and snow ski at 6 and still love both. Been to Snow Creek a couple of times, but this makes me want to trek back there for an afternoon. Such fun!
For all the things Jack is horrified of, I'm happy to see he skis. Love that picture of him and Blake--you're right, not much cuter than a little one in gear!
Good job Blake, you SO earned that beer.
Carter is so handsome on his board.
Love the pic from your view at the top of the hill.
Your family is so gutsy and I love that y'all OWN IT!

The Jones Family said...

Fun! I can't wait to get up there soon! I want to ski too! :)

Shannon said...

My fam would have diarrhea at the thought of skiing. We don't work off of our feet too well.

I can hear Laine's giggles. Omg, that is awesome. Love that you all love it so much.

I thought you were taking snacks and now I'm seeing pizza and fries and drinks purchased there? Busted!

starnes family said...

We have to buy a few things to rationalize our spot in the lodge. Otherwise, we're just taking up a table for paying customers. So, we supplement. I packed drinks, cheese cubes, fruit, shredded pork sandwiches, etc.

Becca Jane said...

I'm scared to death of skiing....and so is my hubby, so despite living in Utah, we will probably never be a skiing family!! I went once as a kid, and I hated it...I just don't like feeling like I'm not in control of how fast I'm flying down a mountain!!!
Cameron would LOVE that train....he takes his trains all over the place too!

Sara said...

So fun!!! Totally agree that the little ones dressed up in snow gear are adorable. Yay Lainey! So glad she enjoyed herself. I always hated that stupid rope lift too. Never could get the hang of that. And the T-bar?? No way. Kudos to you and Blake for getting them started early! We'll have to meet up in CO some time for a ski vacation when Hudson gets a little older! :)

Coco said...

Y'all did good! My family drove to ski every year, starting when Bryan and I were 5 and 3.

Is it uncommon for little ones to ski? Seems like there were always a buttload of toddlers in ski school.

We need to take our kids soon.

starnes family said...

It's not uncommon for them to ski young.....but it's expensive. Heather, I totally see why you opt for the beach over the snow. The gear, lift tickets, food, etc on top of travel expenses......can be overwhelming.

We invested some money in our gear when we moved to Colorado. Makes a big difference. But, you have to really enjoy it to rationalize the cost.

FROGGITY! said...

i love the shot of the resort all lit up after dark! so gorgeous! i love skiing!! i can't wait to take my little ones someday. i love living vicariously through your family photos! :)

FROGGITY! said...

(p.s. obviously lots of enthusiastic love from me! ha)

merrilee said...

Love that you guys do this. . .your kids will SO appreciate it someday. Carter looks like such a STUD(can I say that?). Totally agree about the little punkins--nothing cuter than the gear!

The Photographer said...

I'm so jealous of your post pictures! We "still" own a house in Tahoe, CA close to Heavenly Ski Resort, but now live in Florida...very "FAR" from any snow! I really miss the winters there. I wanted to tell you that if you are interested, go to this website to try to find a produce co-op in your area. They are great for getting local organic produce cheap.

http://www.localharvest.org/

Thanks!

Kimberly Aardal said...

I had forgotten that there was a ski area there also. I did just the opposite of what you and your family did, I left KC to move to Colorado. I think it's great that you're getting your 2 year old out on skis!

The Rand's said...

great pics. looks like a lot of fun! love the my did it, my did it. so proud of her!

Jodee said...

Wow! What a fabulous day! My hubby has never skiied before and I have only skiied once (and it was 20 years ago), but we hope to take our kids sometime soon! Great pictures!

Merry Mack said...

I am jealous! Carter is a Stud! Love it all. I also went skiing every year from middle school through college but I haven't been since. I miss it and wonder if I can still do it. Mr. Mack has NEVER skied and is afraid of heights so I am not sure I can get him up the lift. Without him, I am not sure I can teach Missy Mack, but maybe ski school can. This is how I would like to ring in 2011. We will see. I love that you guys just did it. Looks like fun.

ZonaCatsFamily said...

Looks like y'all had a blast!

Rebekah Williams said...

Since I live in MO I plan to find this place. Just yesterday, while watching my son LOVING playing in the snow, I told Nathan we should take the kids skiing. But, we thought what you said--"Who teaches a 2 year old to ski?" Not sure Lilly would take to it yet, but it's definitely one of my favorite things to do.

Love these pics of your family enjoying winter. Thanks for sharing!

Marinka said...

That sounds perfect! Well, not for me, but for people who like skiing. My dad took my kids skiing upstate New York last week and they had a great time. I had a great time sitting on my couch.