Future Olympian

As promised, over the weekend I took my future Olympian 4-year-old skiing for the first time. I would have to generalize it as a success. A good time was had by all, but, unfortunately, Mrs. Blogger had to stay home and study. I took lots of pictures at least.

Anyway, after an hour's drive, long lines for tickets and rentals (for her) we were at the bottom of the bunny hill. $106 lighter, but ready to go nonetheless. Little One in her matching brown jacket and snow pants with hat and furry hood pulled tight and looking cute as hell. It was a warmish 35 out with no wind to speak of. Since we had time to kill before her lesson and to give her the feel of the sport, we trudged a little way up and skied down with her between my skis. Then we went back up so she could go the 15 or 20 yards on her own. She did great! She listened well and stayed in balance. What was first met with "I can't do it. Its too hard" morphed into "Wee! That was fun! I wanna go again".

Then we headed over for her lesson. First, they put big name-tags on the kids and teach them how to put on their skis and to make "A"s and "V"s so as to control their speed. The teach them the "hands on knees" (no poles yet) manner of balance and the kids walk about like that and swish "rainbow" shapes with each ski. Next they ride a little conveyor belt about 25 yards up the gentle slope and ski back down. About 8 four to six year olds, most having a blast.


While it was all very cute to watch, parental observation was discouraged. So, per their rules, I had 90 minutes to do this.....



After 8 runs or so I skied my burning thighs over to her area just as they were wrapping up. Together we enjoyed apres ski of cokes and chocolate pudding and regaled each other with our eventful day. Then we went home to tell mom.