snow troubles

Oh wow.  I'm in trouble.  BIG trouble.  Yesterday was our first family ski day of the year (well, besides the tour around the neighborhood in the much loved and very rare city snowfall).  We packed up the car, drove to Mount Baker (which had just received a foot of new snow on top of a 3 foot base), put on our warm clothes and headed out on the slopes.

I can't say I felt like I belonged there.  My boots felt like lead bricks on my feet and the slide down the snow felt foreign.  I realized after just two short runs that I have some serious work to do this season.  First, I need to lower my expectations.  I used be a good skier...yes, it's true.  I'm not sure what standards this "good skier" I am referring to is compared to...but, I felt confident and had fun so, in my book, that's a good skier.  Yesterday, I felt lucky to make it down in one piece.  I had forgotten (briefly) that I hadn't skied in two seasons - last year I was injured and the year before that I was 7 months pregnant.  So when I started down the hill that first run, I was expecting more than my body was able to give me.  So, I'm starting over...next time I head up to the mountain I'm going to take it easy.  Spend time getting used to the snow again and I'll be patient with myself. 

The second thing I realized is that it is not a good idea to ski with your glasses underneath your goggles in a snowstorm.  It doesn't work.  At all.  Glasses off and goggles on, goggles off and glasses on, glasses and goggles on.  Nope.  Next time, I'll be wearing my contacts.

The other reason I'm in trouble?  It's not going to be long before I can't keep up with Rowan.  She's incredible out there!  Her first runs of the season were impressive - back and forth down the hill, total confidence, ready to go (snowstorm and all!).  I loved watching her...this is going to be an exciting year on the ski hill for her.  She got 10 runs in yesterday - more than any of the rest of us!

Charlie spent the day saying "side...skeee...go...roro" - he was enjoying the snow too. 

All in all, it was a good day.  I can't say that I felt that way yesterday but, after having some time to reflect, I decided that the day was a success.  We had fun, I learned a few things, and we spent a winter day outdoors.