Skiing with Willie

I grew up skiing. Every weekend during the winter we would load up the car with all of our gear and head to Sundance for the day. We were usually just given instruction to be at the bottom of the mountain in time for last chair. If we were lucky, we could take the last chair and join Dad for hill sweep.

My Dad, Willie, has been on the Ski Patrol at Sundance for about 36 years. I grew up on that mountain. Although I didn’t take as well to skiing as my siblings I can pretty much ski anything but mainly enjoy a nice blue run on a spring day, especially with Willie.

We finally took the kids up skiing today. The first time this season. Weekends are generally busy for us and getting the 5 of us ready and out the door to ski is a chore, to say the least. I now have a much greater appreciation for what my parents did in getting us out the door every weekend to ski, usually with a packed lunch too (these days I just take the debit card).

Due to Dad’s health issues the last two years he hasn’t been skiing. I was with him today for his first run in two ski seasons. There are few things in this world that I enjoy better than riding the lift with my Dad and kids and taking a few turns down the mountain. Today was a great day. Watching my kids Ski with Willie reminds me of being their age, trying to keep up with my Dad. Willie is patient and takes in the little things when it comes to skiing. Its not about the newest ski gear, vertical feet or how much air you can get off that jump. Its about enjoying the blue sky, fresh air, time with family, hand-me-down gloves, hot chocolate and saying "Hi" to Tommy.

I love watching my kids ski and having Willie ski with them. Mastin does well on skis, a little cautious but is now venturing out on his own more. Chase likes to be there, once we are on the mountain. Every run is calculated and when he is done, he’s done (even if we are in the middle of a run). Emma is a natural, seriously. We all just watch in awe as she moves down the mountain, its hard to keep up with her. She really needs to get up there more.

I, once again, failed at using my camera today. The photo on this post is from another great ski day two years ago.

It was a great day skiing with Willie.