skiing with children

I learned to downhill ski when I was 18 years old.  Growing up, I had friends who went on ski vacations, and I had a vague idea that my parents used to ski, but we didn't do it.  In a small town on the Dakota plains, it was not something many people enjoyed.  I did water ski, but that's an entirely different season & sport.

When I arrived at college in the mountains of Montana, the culture was different.  Everyone skied.  Most had enjoyed it since childhood, and they were really good.  They had confidence and gear and a vocabulary all their own.  I'd listen to stories of hiking into backcountry, endure stories of their jumps off cliffs and over roads, and hear roommates compare grooming conditions of local hills.  "Tuning" and "powder" had nothing to do with music or makeup.  

It was time for me to learn to ski.  So I did, and I'm okay.  I've even sustained a knee injury that required ski patrol to haul me down the mountain on a sled.  I'm not sure how skilled one must be for that injury, but I'm that good.

Mr. Kenobi, on the other hand, has skied since childhood.  His family took week-long vacations to Colorado, and their stories always have something to do with snow and hills.   One of my first stretches of time with his family was learning to snowplow and turn in the Rocky mountains. Anyone who knew my dear Mr. Kenobi for long could predict that his kids would be on skis as soon as they could walk.  

Which would have been true, except they didn't make ski boots small enough for a 1-year-old. At just over 2, Obi-1 was just big enough two years ago to head down the bunny slope, but he mostly just wanted to wear the helmet and goggles.  By last year, Obi-1 was enjoying the skiing more, but his poor little brother was a miserable spectator.  This year, they're both old enough to participate, and I'm not sure who's more excited - dad or boys.  

Our first two outings to the mountains have been a lot of fun.  We went this weekend, and their personalities are shining through their efforts.  Obi-1 is a nervous but eager skier, and he's learning to control turns and speed quite well.  Obi-2 is fearless, and a quick learner.  I'm thankful for our little "harness" that helps me slow him down!  With a little boost, they can both ride the chair lift and they have a blast in the snow.  It's not very expensive to rent their gear, and most resorts let them ski free, so this is something we hope to enjoy more often.

Except, of course, that I will soon be the novice skier in the family.  People like me, who've learned this sport as adults, know the mixture of balance, strength, and energy it requires.  We look at each other with a knowing mix of amazement & frustration when one of those little twerps - er, children - zips past and flies over a jump while we try to traverse the run and stay upright.  We've watched the X-Games and wondered, "where are their mothers?" as teenagers twist off ramps and cliffs, doing acrobatics that make us shudder.  We've ended an exhausting day in the snow only to see a tiny person jumping around and asking to "go just one more time!"

So in advance, I apologize.  I'm pretty sure those will soon be my son(s), and I know it's crazy to see a toddler on skis.  I know they're learning with more confidence than we can muster and picking it up with very little effort.  When you feel like giving it up and heading in for hot chocolate, I understand.  Really.  I'll meet you there.