Let me tell you something....

I have had the most incredible ski season. Not only was it the first season back on the slopes after 4 years (and 4 years ago it was not fun) BUT...it was also my 3 year olds first season as well. I must say that the first time up this year I cried. I am so blessed to have been given the gift of my life back. Anyone who loves skiing as much as I do, knows exactly what I am talking about. Now both of my boys ages 7 and 3 and I will be enjoying the winters again, with ease. Just had to share. Molly

Congradulations, Molly! Tell us about it. Where did you ski? How much? I assume you skied with the kids, or did they go to ski school? They are fun to watch as everything is new and exciting. I know a couple who tried to start their 3-year-old on skis and he didn't like it at all. After he turned 4 it was a whole different story - couldn't get him to come in at the end of the day. Does Hubby ski? With you, kids, alone or with buds? I have two more days this weekend in the Michigan upper peninsula then I'm done for this year. Have a great day. Rich

Thanks Rich, We live in Clarkston which is in the Northwest on the boarder of Idaho and Washington. I grew up in Grangeville Idaho (about an hour from Clarkston) and there is a small ski hill there. It is where I learned to ski at 3 years old as well, however after we (my younger sister and brothers) became more avid skiers that small hill just didn't cut it. We moved on the Brundage Mountain in McCall, Idaho, where we skiied for years and years. So, now that I am back on the slopes again, this year we skiied in Grangeville, because like I said earlier it is so good for the younger ones to learn on. I could probably last all day on the slopes, but my littlest can't so most weekend we went up for 2 half a days (they are only open on the weekends, but they do have night skiing, which is really fun too). My 7 year old really took off this year, as this is the first year that I could really be with him, I did teach him at 3 too, but like I said, that was 4 years ago and it was not fun for me. After that first year with my oldest, I relied on my family to take him up for the next 3 years, which was far and few between when they could. Sooo, needless to say I was excited for this season to begin so that MY new life could begin again too! Anyway, that's my story. Last weekend was the last weekend in Grangeville, but Mcall is still open I think for a couple of more weekends, we may try to go for the last weekend if we can work it out. Hubby does not ski, kinda sad, but he has a bad back and he just can't. He triied at the first of the year, but was flat on his back for the next two weeks, so he decided not to try that again. He may try again next year, I don't know? So for now I am on my own. Do you need a skiing partner? Just kidding, unfortunatly your a little to far away. Oh well. I know I probably won't make it out your way, but if you ever make it out my way let me know. We could hit the slopes together! Thanks for being interested. I have read your other post on here, sounds like you get alot of skiing in. I am always glad to see someone that is passionate about skiing. What do you do in the summers? I really can't wait to get back into some of the things I use to do. Like kayaking, can not wait to try that. Both of my Brothers and Sister are riverguides in the summer and I can not wait to take several trips this summer with my kids too. They are finally both getting old enough to go. Well...I guess this is long enough. Enjoy your last two days this weekend. Molly

The local hills are a great place to learn how to ski. Brundage Mtn looks like a great place according to their web site and would be a big mountain by midwest standards. We have a little area called Wilmot about two hours away where we like to go after work on Friday and ski till midnight. The problem there is that we only get about 300 feet of vertical. Ten turns to the bottom. Gets boring so we (used to) spend a fair amount of time in the bar. I started skiing at the age of 30 and spent five years on the local hills in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. The best thing I did for skill improvement however was to take a week of lessons at Steamboat. I have skied Sun Valley and, on another trip, Schweitzer near Sandpoint and Silver Mtn near Cour D'Alene. Beautiful areas but on both trips our timing with the weather wasn't too great and we had a lot of ice. We would like to get back to Sun Valley soon as well as Big Sky, Mt. Summer time I like to go motorcycle touring on my Gold Wing. I would like to get more active in bicycling again, now that I have taken off 110 pounds. My problem is that going fast on two wheels is so much more fun than pedaling hard. I need the exercise though and running is hard on my hips and knees. Maybe that will improve also as I get my last 60 pounds off and I do more training. Thanks for the good wishes and have a great day. Rich