Daughenbaugh's Skiing!

We have a new wintertime hobby - skiing!

We really hadn't planned on taking on skiing this winter, although we had discussed it.  It just seemed so expensive and complicated.  But some friends told us that the kids would be free and lift tickets for the bunny slope are only $5 or $16 for the lower mountain.  And kid rentals are only $10.  Plus we got some skis from the neighbor that work for Ruby!  So really skiing isn't as expensive as we expected - making it more realistic as a family hobby.

(Well it still gets more expensive, as we wanted to get helmets for the kids, but we figure they can use those for many years).  They were so excited about their helmets!  And about going.  We also decided to start them out with a 90-minute "first tracks" class to introduce them to skiing properly - we didn't trust our teaching abilities.

Our first outing was new years day - we read books while the kids took their class, then we purchased $5 tickets to join them on the "snowflake" lift (bunny hill).

Ruby on the "First Tracks" hill.

Reder on the "First Tracks" hill.

Reder using his hot head to warm his cold hands.

Reder waiting for me to order fries as an afternoon snack.

Today we went again.  Today was warmer and lots of fun.  Both kids right away "got it" and did great.  We brought a harness with the intent of using it for Ruby, but we didn't need it - she did great right off the lift.

Ruby Skiing past me

Katie following Ruby

 So Katie and I both snowboard - but we decided to start the kids on skis.  (We might convert them to boards before too long...)  Snowboards aren't great for maneuvering with a beginner skier - but fortunately Katie still had her skis and got them out.  I got rid of mine long ago - I'm just a snowboarder now.  But this meant that Katie had more work than me - she stayed close to Ruby and helped her as needed.  I kept close to Reder, but he was much easier as he was better at getting up from falls, etc.  Still, by the end of the day neither needed much help - we just had to try to keep up!

Reder, Katie and Ruby skiing down empty runs.

By the end of the day today we were all exhausted - and fortunately we quit while everyone was still having fun.  Reder and Ruby thought it was great and can't wait to go again.