The close of cycling season still has me bummed, but we’re starting to get outside skiing, and it’s boosting my energy. As 2019 opens, I’m resolving to adventure outside more with the kids – I have a habit of keeping them inside while I do housework or run errands, using cold weather as an excuse not to play. As part of this new resolution, I decided that I was going to attempt a solo trip to Pats Peak with them last week.
Last year, Charles and I had a regular Wednesday morning ski date; he’d go down and have a lesson while I skied, and then we’d get hot chocolate and lunch together. I didn’t trust myself enough to take him out on my own. This year, with his preschool schedule and our other activities, Thursdays are our “free” day. Since conditions were good – temps in the 30s but a good base at the mountain! – it seemed like the perfect day. Daddy was working late; we needed some fresh air and time together to keep our day from falling apart.
Both kids were surprisingly helpful getting geared up. We found them their own little boots at the S&W ski swap this fall, and they’ve proven invaluable (even if the buckles on Theo’s boots are a bit worn and tend to pop loose occasionally). Charles has super narrow feet and is generally skinny and small; his Dalbello narrow boots are perfect for holding him in place. It’s a relief after having to stuff him into three or four layers of socks the past two years to keep rental boots on him!
Once we finally got out, we had fun. SO much fun. Charles showed off his turns [He suddenly turns! After spending all of last season resisting and snowplowing!] around some sweet foam animal guides, and Theo was brave enough to hold my ski pole. We did a couple of runs on the little bunny hill like this, and then we all got extra brave. Theo decided he’d like to shuffle his own way onto the magic carpet, and Charles started going faster – still keeping his skis parallel!
Four beautiful, amazing things happened in the two hours that we skied that little hill together:
- Charles figured out how to get himself up. We have been working on this hard – it’s been holding him back in his lessons and in skiing with us. It’s very frustrating for him to try to coordinate his thoughts with his body, and it’s very frustrating for me to watch him flail and whine, so it was a huge success for both of us that we could stay calm enough to talk through getting both skis going the same direction, pointing them at the side of the hill, and then pushing up on the bottom ski to stand. His pride in himself was worth the frustration and patience!
- Theo skied solo! This required…
- Mommy skiing backwards. This is something that I’ve known I need to do but have been terrified to try, especially when I’m out by myself. But I did it! I did it, and I was able to turn with him, and catch him when he got going fast. However, he did ask me to turn around at one point – “Mommy, you go to slow back. Let me hold your hand. I want to go fast!”
- We had SO MUCH FUN OUTSIDE TOGETHER. It was thrilling to cheer each other on, giggle, dance on the magic carpet, and then go in for chocolate milk and hamburgers. I can’t wait for our next Mommy Ski Date.
