Kamikaze Skiing (From Presidents Day Weekend)

Kamikaze translates frequently into Divine Wind.  I personally think it an apropos description of how my children fly down the mountain on their skis.  Thank heavens the kids have only skied on the "Hill"berg slopes which fit their name to a T.  It was also helpful that we went on days that were pretty devoid of people.

Friday was a no school day and Fernando was on leave so we got baby sitter for Joaquin, and lessons for the three oldest and headed to the slopes.  It was far more relaxing and much more successful than our Christmas Eve run.  I was surprised that Mia, who was the most hesitant about going and the most frustrated with the first attempt at skiing, was quite masterful in her class.  The classes were a steal of a deal.  They all had private lessons for 90 minutes, with rentals, and lift tickets all for a small total of $125.  Thank heavens for the free rental because the board I had bought the day before was in need of some serious edging.  I ended up using their free rentals for a rental board there.

President's day was an equally beautiful day for skiing/boarding.  We decided to bring Joaquin this time and take turns on the slope.  Fernando took the first shift watching Joaquin.  I had the privilege of riding up and down with Talia.  Her first run was a struggle.  She would slip in an out of confidence--more terrified then thrilled.  I suggested that we take our time and try another time when she felt less scared of the mountain.

Meanwhile, Tiago and Mia had zipped up and down the slopes more times than I could count by this point.  Talia insisted on trying again.  After another painstaking run, I was about ready to throw in the towel.  Then two puffs of pink appeared into view.  Our neighbors showed up to ski and Talia was rearing to go.  The neighbor kids have been in ski school for the season and go every Saturday.  It would be quite the understatement to say their skills far surpassed our kiddos.  But kids will be kids and peer pressure is a real thing whether the kids intended to press or not.  It was quite the metamorphosis.  Talia would barely wait for me to strap in.  Once I gave the "ok, let's take this easy", she was off.  I had to literally board straight down the mountain to keep up.  Hair raising to say the least.

After several intense runs, I agreed to their constant pestering to allow them to ride up the lift together.  My gracious it was more nerve racking to watch them get on the lift and pray they would not fall off while traveling up the mountain.  Every time the lift stopped, I thought it must be the kids, but it never was.  Including the time Tiago really did face plant off the lift right before the point of no return.  It wasn't until I pushed past the orange safety netting into the untouched powder that the lift operator had any clue that their was someone in the danger zone.