Have your social media news feeds been filled with friends and family claiming ‘epic snow’, ‘best skiing ever’, ‘straight shredding’ or the bold claims of ‘First Tracks’? Ya’ll, they aren’t just exaggerating. It really has been one of the best years yet. And guess what? You still have plenty of time to make your own family {or friend} ski trip happen this year.

THIS IS NOT A TYPO NOR AN OLD POST! Many resorts are still open thru May this year due to ‘EPIC’ snowfall! I’ll include a link below to resorts staying open late this year.

Growing up in a ski-loving family I have an incredible love and nostalgia for the sound of the chair lift making its way up the mountain. If that sound immediately comes to mind for you, then you need to make your way to slopes. The soft buzz of the ski lift cables with the little bumpity-bump as your suspended chair cruises over the wheels propelling you further up the mountain. For me, only a new baby cooing can come close to raising endorphin levels like that sweet mountainous sound.

At the age of 3 my parents had me skiing. Even moving away from Colorado we would trek back annually for some of the best memories a little girl can dream of. I know every family has ‘their thing’. For me and the way I grew up, I wholeheartedly feel that giving your kids the gift of ski lessons is an awesome gift you can give for them. Just think: You get to do an activity with your kids as they grow older. You have their captive attention on ski lifts in between runs {something that no doubt becomes difficult to do as they grow older}. Plus you get to end your days with the laughter from silly falls and recapping favorite tree ski runs. And who knows – maybe one of you reading this is raising the next Lindsay Vonn!? If so, I want those front row Olympic tickets as my ‘thank you’ for this post.

And for the parents out there still wondering if they too should get their kids skiing, I’ll give you this one last sentiment. Think of a ski trip where there was that steep hill that you kept skiing past. Your friends were doing the big jump at the end. Your heart wanted to try it but your mind was like “Hell to the N!O! Think of the insurance deductible. This will really hurt if you fall and you’ll probably miss dinner too”, etc. (Does everyone jump to conclusions like I do when they are worried?). Then you finally either get up the nerve to try that big jump or you just get peer-pressured into going for it. Either way, you do it and the feeling of elation afterwards is incredible. Indescribable even. Your confidence soars and you’ll never forget that leap of faith. Well, that same feeling of pride comes from WATCHING your kids learn to ski. They take that leap of faith, putting on super short Frozen-themed skis and just point them down the mountain. We are not always given opportunities to do something for our kids that give both child and parent that equal sense of pride and accomplishment. #JustTryIt God gave us mountains and snow and man created the best way to experience it. (plus, it’s 2019 and ski gear has come a long way. The awesome quality means no one is whining about being cold like we did back in the ’80’s….with NO helmet) #survivor

Sure it can be crazy expensive but there are ways around it and I’ll give you those money-saving tips in another post. Also – I bet if you added up your daily beach resort cocktails and half-eaten grilled cheeses, you’d just about equal a lift ticket so it really can be comparable to other vacation prices. *Another bonus….kids are working hard all day so they actually eat the dinner you buy them that evening. And if that fact doesn’t have you googling flights now, then I suppose your kids are better eaters than mine typically are?!

See On The Snow for a list of Mountain Resorts will be open thru MAY! Heath just returned from skiing Heavenly in Lake Tahoe last week and we can’t recommend this mountain enough. Especially for spring!

For Example:

You can ski all day and then enjoy a Pontoon lake boating adventure for evening. Standing from the top of the mountain you look to your left and see a pristine lake and to your right you enjoy beautiful scenery of snow flocked trees leading down to gorgeous green pasture. You have every weekend until Memorial Day to make your way to Heavenly

Quick Tips to make your spring ski weekend a success:

1. Book ski rental in advance with Christy Sports Booking even one day in advance saves you 20%. They usually send you a coupon as well so you can grab last minute forgotten items while renting and get a further discount.
2. If taking a little one to try skiing for the first time, talk it up to them, show videos of friends/relatives skiing and book your lesson in advance. You usually get a better rate and secure a spot. Again, these lessons are expensive, but think of it like this. You’re getting ‘babysitting’ PLUS your kid is learning a life skill. Put in the time and investment now and you reap the rewards in the coming years (and enjoy an adult lunch – rare on family vacations trips ).
3. If you are in need of lots of gear, think back to all those social media posts your neighbor put up over Spring Break. Most likely they aren’t going again this Spring, so reach out to see what you can borrow. If you prefer to buy, just know that gear is so well made these days it will last you for YEARS! I still have goggles and thermals that work perfectly 10 years later. Don’t judge.
4. This took a bit of a serious turn with the advice. But JUST HAVE FUN! It’s ‘seriously’ amazing to bask in God’s beautiful scenery while flying down the mountain. Even if you loose a glove, sorta wet your pants while trying to peel off layers getting to the bathroom or practically loose a limb schlepping all the gear to the mountain (I might have experienced in all 3 of these), it is all about the stories, the adventure and making memories.
5. Après Ski.

You have the rest of summer to enjoy summer! Will you get out there and sneak in a ski weekend this year? Or have I at least piqued your interest in booking a ski adventure for next winter? Let me know! I’m happy to post more tips on saving money, prepping, and where to go in the future!