Being in New England, there are many many families in our town who live a second life all winter long ... life on the ski slopes.
(illustration courtesy of Paula Becker)
From where I stand, a Florida native who knows precious little about skiing, it seems exhausting ... they pack up the roof racks and tailgates and head up north to Maine or NH every Friday after school lets out. Instead of sleeping in on Saturdays, most of these families start just as early as if it were a school morning - in a way I suppose it is a school morning because their kids are committed to season-long ski schools every Saturday. I have to say ... I just don't get it! The planning, the gear (my god the gear!), the commute, the physical demands of skiing, I'd be a wreck if this were my routine!
Conveniently, we're more of the once-a-year philosophy. We just want for the kids to be able to ski with a reasonable amount of confidence - we are in New England after all. That way, as they're growing up, they'll be able to participate if and when an opportunity might arise. We've just recently returned from our annual ski trip - a 3-day, 3-night 'refresher weekend' just a few hours north in Maine. If nothing else, it's a great chance for us to be away from the daily grind and enjoy board games and hot chocolate by the fire after a long day of casual runs with each other on the slopes ... our littlest led the charge ...
It was a really great trip this year, we're feeling lucky as can be to have had the opportunity. But from now on, it's back to reality ... no more slopeside condos, steaming swimming pools, or freshly groomed snow. From now on, this is what skiing will look like for us ...
Wii love to ski this way - no schlepping required! Knock yourselves out, cutie pies!
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