Kids on Skis

We're back from a weekend at Lake Tahoe, setting for the cub scouts' Winter Camp. All but the upper third of our state has had a dry winter, so when packing for the trip I even wondered whether there was any sense to packing snow gear. Luckily we did. The pass in Tahoe and the peaks around the lake were only lightly touched by snow - cross country skiing was out - but many of the skiing resorts with snow-making had some snow, and when you start the weekend expecting nothing, this turns out to be a pleasant surprise. Not a bad weekend to be up there, with many staying away because of the poor conditions, and others kept home with Super Bowl plans.


On Saturday H and M were easily talked into trying skiing. The engaging staff at the children's ski school swept them up in the adventure, and soon C and I were leaving them for the morning, on our own way to rent equipment and ski. When we picked them up at lunchtime, they were in good spirits, making snowplows ("pizzas") and ready for an afternoon of skiing with us. To this point they had been on a gentle slope with a carpet lift in the school area.


The afternoon with them was wonderful. They were courageous, adaptable, fast-learners, and having fun. First time onto a chairlift: done. First exit down the ramp at the end of the lift: done. Down a real 1/4 mile slope: done. Down every green trail on the mountain by the time lifts closed: done. I never expected to be skiing with them on the first day. And back on skis myself for the first time in 8 years, I remembered how exhilarating a day on the slopes is, and enjoyed with my kids the opening vista of their own enjoyment of the sport.