A Haven for Vee

Friday, February 20, 2015

On the Slopes


Usually, I am very content to be home, yet every now and then, even in winter, even after a snowfall, I find myself eager to get out of the house. I was last out two weeks ago, just to prove the point. This time I had two great reasons to get out and about. I wanted to see the grandsons hit the slopes!

~over wintry roads~

Yes, last year may have been the Year of the Luge; however, this year is the Year of the Slope. The grands are on winter break so maternal grandparents and parents pooled resources for them to take skiing lessons. 

There is a charming little ski area very close by, which makes it handy. It is called Lost Valley and would you believe that John and I got lost there? ☺ Anyway, our daughter-in-law found us because we surely couldn't find her or the boys. The boys were up along the ridge and out of sight, but would be coming down eventually. We waited at the bottom of the slope near the ski lift where I amused myself by taking photos of the lifts.



I was amazed by all the little tykes zipping around on skis and snowboards then...


Their mom spies them right away. I was having troubles.

~same photo as above without arrows~



 One is to the left of the instructor and the other is behind her.


Here's Jake (the younger) waiting for instructions. It was good to see how attentive he was!

~Jake to the left and Sam to the right~



Following the leader in for a brief break at the lodge.


Lost Valley had fallen on hard times and was not expected to open this year. We are so glad that they did. Perhaps, one day, they'll be able to afford some updates to the lodge and return it to its former glory. I remember visiting a number of times over 40 years ago.

While chatting with the boys at break time, Sam shared that they had been having a lot of fun and that he was very tired. The day before, he had made a wrong turn and wound up going down a steeper hill all alone. I asked him how he managed to keep calm and get to the bottom without falling, which he had managed to do. He said, "I didn't keep calm. I was trying hard not to scream all the way down." Oh my! It had to have been exciting.


Every mom might appreciate the option my daughter-in-law used with one tired Jake. Ha!
Our last look as the boys get on the lift and never look back. 
It was interesting to see how skiing is taught. I hope that they get to graduate to poles soon. It's tough getting around otherwise. 
See you next week!



51 comments:

  1. How exciting for all of you. Great that they get a chance to learn to ski. We have snow and cold here; but no mountains to ski from...

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  2. Beautiful pic's and exciting to see the grands ! As I always say " there is nothing like being a grandparent!

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  3. How fun for the boys and for you as their cheerleaders! I love that they get a chance to do this and at such young ages. Won't be long and they will be zipping down those mountains. My kids used to go to our local mountains and ski and snowboard though it's been a while. The youngest one has been to Mammoth and Vale and a few other places as well....loves it. Me? I have hardly got the courage to watch, lol. They used to scare me to death. Enjoy your week-end Vee!

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  4. I was wondering about being without poles. At this age they learn so quick and they are a lot lower to the snow when they fall. :) Glad you were found and got to see their progress. My days of skiing down slopes are well in the past. Sitting in a warm lodge is more my style now.

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  5. What a great gift...skiing lessons! Your Lost a Valley reminds me of our local ski hill called Hemlock Valley...which also has fallen on hard times in recent years (a few winters with little snow will do that!). Great documentary of your grands ski adventure.

    I'm catching up on missed posts at the airport in Lima...ready to go home and enjoying free wifi. :)

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  6. Lovely post videos and photos ! Looks like a fun time ! I get all layered and suited up and get out at least once a day in this frigid weather with my Miggs to go for a walk , play with her in the snow , feed my birds or take photos and it is better when the sun shines lol I have to get out or I go nuts lol I am the outdoorsy type and just love it ! We live in a valley called Vienna and to some people it is lost as lots of people have never heard of it lol ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !

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  7. When we lived in Western Michigan, downhill skiing occurred a lot "Up North" but a lot of people loved cross country skiing. I never got into it, neither did my husband (even with his Norwegian grandparents so soon off the boat). It wasn't until after we left Holland that we wish we had bought the equipment and went cross country skiing. Last Winter it would have come in handy here. ;)

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  8. How fun! I always wanted to learn to ski, but never did. I'm afraid at this age of breaking bones. I'm sure the boys were very tired!

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  9. So good that you got the see the youngster in action. Bless them for braving the cold. I loved your photos. Hope you and your family are doing well. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  10. Looks like fun! And the snow is so pretty on the trees. We don't have any snow except where it's piled up and all dirty. :0(

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  11. What fun times they are having! Great to learn when they are young and have little fear. Great to get the exercise and fresh air too. They'll be sleeping well these nights!
    I worked at a small ski hill when I was much younger, and learned to ski a bit. However, these days I have no interest at all in being out in the cold...

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  12. Looks like a great place to ski! I never learned to snow ski, but I did water ski growing up...

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  13. My grands are also skiing this week and I was interested to see they don't use poles. Too distracting my son said. I would be tipsy without. But then I've never down hilled skied, only cross country. I bet it was nice to be out for awhile.

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  14. I can see how it might be fun to watch the kids or grandkids ski. I, on the other hand, am a big baby chicken when it comes to 1. Anything fast and 2. anything that makes me feel like I am not in complete control. I am also afraid of heights. The last time we took our girls sledding I went down the hill with them and screamed like a girl (and rightly so I suppose), all the way down. It WAS exhilarating, and I eventually got used to it enough not to scream, but my stomach was in knots!

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  15. What fun! The boys must have had a blast. I can remember riding the ski lift for various youth group events many years ago, I was terrified. Poor Sam had to come down a mountain alone. Loved his comment. Also enjoyed the snippets of video and John sneaking into view. Thanks for sharing Vee.

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  16. I'm not a skier, but I so enjoyed your post of your grandsons. My grandson tried cross-country skiing for the first time a few weeks ago and it brought a big smile to my face too. Sending warm wishes, dear friend, XOXO

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  17. What great captures! I remember when my kids would go skiing, lots of fun for them.

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  18. Delightful!! Bravo to Jake and Sam. Making the best of all this white stuff for sure!

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  19. Great fun for all the kids! We used to take the grands tubing and skiing. Kids learn so fast--I didn't ski until I was in my 20's and even then I was petrified! It's a great sport for your area. ♥

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  20. So much fun! It's great that you could go and watch them. A lot of homeschoolers we know have learned to ski and snowboard at a local mountain through a large homeschool group. Some of them have really gone on to excel at it. It's a great opportunity for kids.

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  21. What fun for them and you too. Definitely a good reason to get out of the house.
    It's great that they are learning while they are young. Since moving to NC I'm amazed at how many people here snow ski. I always feel a little sheepish to say I grew up in Michigan but don't ski.

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  22. Skiing is great fun. I used to ski when I was in high school and loved it.
    It is amazing how quickly young kids learn things.
    Great snow pictures too.

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  23. I'm so glad your little grandsons are getting to enjoy the thrill of downhill skiing. Kids are so agile and can learn so fast. I even learned when I was in my 40's! I was terrified but I learned. Great photos Vee and nice to get out on the snowy roads. Enjoy the weekend. Are you getting this next storm tomorrow/Sunday? Yikes!

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  24. They'll be so glad of this for years to come. It's nice to learn the right way. Glad you got out for a bit too....and didn't stay lost! lol Sweet hugs!

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  25. Fun for them and fun/safe for you and John!

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  26. oh how much fun!! Def cold enough and snowy enough!!!! Blessings

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  27. So much fun! Thank you for sharing pics of your grands on the ski hill! I skiied every Saturday during high school (winter) and these photos make me want to get out there again. I doubt I ever will, but you never know. Our youngest and her husband went skiing this past week. Around here it's a long drive to get to snow of any sort!
    Are there more storms headed your way? What a winter! One year it's the Polar Vortex, the next it's the Siberian Express. They have some creative writers in the weather department!

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  28. What fun to see, Vee. The boys are getting big! I love Mom pushing him along on his skis because he is so tired. lol Wish I had that to fall back on sometimes. My kids all ski and my hubby used to. I skied a couple of times but didn't really like it much. I am just not a snow person at all. Even sledding is a short term thing for me now.

    I am so glad you got the photos of them to capture those memories. xo Diana

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  29. They did great! I went skiing once, at age 23, and.......once was enough. But I can hang out at the lodge for hours! lol

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  30. How fun that you were able to watch them - what fun! My dad had me on ski's by the age of five and ever since then I have loved the slopes :) Happy weekend, dear Vee!

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  31. I've never skied before. How fun for them to learn to ski since they live in Maine! To me they are amazing!

    Deanna

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  32. I never skied but always wanted to...when I was young. I think the gift of skiing lessons is wonderful for the boys. They will have such fun and you'll enjoy watching them, too. Why, you just might have a future Olympic champion in your family!

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  33. I LOVED this!!! Nice to hear John's voice again - and yours!!
    We all skied for years and years but not in recent ones. It is on my bucket list to do again! Perhaps when Amber and Mike take the quads!!
    LOVED every single pic!!!! I miss our ski vacations.......
    Can you SEE Louis Dean on skis??? No, I can't either. It would not be pretty!!! Maybe pretty FUNNY!!!

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  34. I have been intersted in learning cross country skiing since we moved from Texas to Illinois. 20 years later, with the kids gone and more spendable income, I don't feel so enthusiastic anymore. Dangit!

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  35. I think my heart just skipped a beat! I've only been and watched my kids water skiing ~ going down a big hill on snow skis scares me to death. Thank you for sharing the pictures and videos. They look so brave on their snow skis. What a great opportunity for them to learn so young. Won't it be fun to see how they advance in this sport? This will make the long winters a very special time for them.

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  36. It is so beautiful! How great that they are learning to ski. I never learned and feel I have missed out on some fun as a result. Not so much that I care to learn now, however.

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  37. Aw ww what fun for the grands, Vee! Your photos look like postcards. What a treat to see the wintry scene. Enjoy your weekend!

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  38. So wonderful! The small blessing from all this terrible weather which has crashed buildings and killed over 22 people is that it has brought winter happiness to many children and young at heart winter sports lovers...Half my off spring are at Holiday Valley in western NY even as I type............

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  39. Good for them- lessons at a young age, with good snowy ski conditions is the way to go. So glad the boys enjoyed that - and you all were able to witness the fun firsthand. That's awesome.

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  40. Hello Vee, Yes, I can see the slopes just might be the new winter sport for those kiddos! And really, isn't it funny how the Mom can spot their kids anywhere! Even flying down a mountain Geesh!
    I really think I should get an award just once for always being the last to comment!!
    Happy Day. Yours, Roxy

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  41. Oh what fun! I know those grands of yours must have had a great time. I have never been on skis or anything remotely close. It was so nice that you got to go witness this event! And Roxy, you are not the last :)

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  42. Oh, how very exciting for the boys!! What a thrilling way to spend a winter break! I'm so glad you were able to go and be a part of the excitement (even if they didn't wave to you from the red car). :D

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  43. Hello Dear Vee! What beautiful images and moments you captured! I cannot imagine...seeing such beauty! how incredibly beautiful, yes, and fun this all must have been! I am so glad you were able to be there!!
    xo,
    Kim

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  44. They will be hooked on skiing in no time. It looks like a good place to learn.

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  45. So fun to watch someone else on the slopes. :-) Hope you have a nice week and that we all survive to see warmer weather.

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  46. That's the perfect age to learn how to ski! How nice that you helped them take lessons. What fun!

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  47. Wonderful photos of a fun time....reminds me of when our kids were little...daughter was 3 when we put her on skis for the first time...her brother was 8....they both became awesome skiers...and have graduated to snow boarding now.
    O, and I found my Erin...in THE PAINTED GARDEN....with her doggie, BENTLEY....:)
    Thanks for trying to help me find her.

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  48. What great fun for the whole family---skiers and spectators alike! I've only once seen actual skiing---we went to visit friends way up on Lake Erie several Winters ago, and we spent the afternoon at a lodge with the children---all the whole experience: snow, watching the fun, the fireside and coffee as we gazed out the huge windows at all the activity.

    Hope you're staying well and warm!

    rachel

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  49. My grandboys have had some skiing lessons and they use a harness to help them learn with someone pushing them, almost like your daughter-in-law was doing with Jake! It helps them learn balance as beginners.

    I would think with the popularity of skiing that the community would keep this area open. Skiing is an expensive sport, however, or at least it is here in Colorado. A day lift ticket can cost hundreds depending upon the resort.

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