New Year More Skiing

Bode's school doesn't start back until tomorrow (Wednesday, 6 January).  Rather than just sit around at home and play on the Xbox One, we decided to spend a couple days skiing.  Bode is becoming quite the skier.  On the first day, Bode skied with Ashley and me.  I took lots of pictures, and we also had a few taken by the Epic Photo staff.  Below are some nice family shots.

The weather was beautiful--temperatures were in the low 30's, not a cloud to be seen, and no wind.  Plus, since it was the end of the holiday season, the lifts weren't very crowded.  Here are some pictures showing both the beautiful day and Ashley and Bode in action.  The first is a picture at the top of Mercury Chair, while the second is a picture of Ashley and Bode somewhere down the mountain.  Note we have the run to ourselves!

When we were riding up the lifts, Bode saw some moguls, or "bumps" as he calls them.  He wanted to give them a try.  I didn't get any pictures of Bode in the moguls, but I did get one just below them.  I can't believe he enjoyed going through them...although it's probably a lot easier for him with his little skies.

I also took a couple movies.  The first one isn't too exciting--just Bode going down the mountain.

This next movie is more interesting.  We don't own an ego-camera, so I simply skied behind Bode and filmed.  The sound isn't the best, but it's kind of neat watching him ski.

We stopped for a quick snack, some water, and tea...

and then we convinced Bode to come up to the top of Peak 10 with us.  This is our favorite part of the mountain, and we wanted to see how Bode would do.  The runs are all black diamonds, due to parts being steep.  Bode did great, but in hindsight, we probably shouldn't have brought him up here just yet--not quite the aplomb of a professional skier for you newsletter fans.  First, here's proof Bode was at the top, with "Falcon Super Chair" showing in the background.

Next, here's a picture of Bode going down the mountain.

Again, note how beautiful it was.  Also note the run is a bit steeper than Bode was used to.  He didn't fall, but he didn't really enjoy it because he was a bit scared of the incline.  However, he did great turning and controlling his speed--it's just something he needs to practice  The funniest (to Ashley and me) was when Bode would hit a patch of ice.  No one likes ice, and when you hit a spot on skies, your backend slides out, and if you aren't careful, you will wipe out.  Bode didn't wipe out, but he did not like the ice.  He'd be skiing and hit a patch, and then he'd throw a mini-tantrum (in mid-ski) and shake his poles in anger.  Very cute :-)  I only wish I had a movie.

On Day 2, we dropped Bode off at ski-school and headed out together.  Another wonderful day.  We stopped for a quick Epic shot...

and then we skied until our legs fell off (which is only about three hours at this point in our lives).  We stayed on Peak 10 for awhile, and then we headed over to the top of Peak 8 and the Imperial Lift. Here's a picture of Ashley on this lift--not the absence of any trees on the mountain.  We are above tree line.

This next picture shows the route down...well, at least my route :-)   There is a less bumpy route off to the side that Ashley prefers.  Also, I've no idea why the ski is such a dark color in the picture.  It was a perfect ocean blue all day.

We had a great day skiing, but were exhausted at the end of the day.  Bode did great at ski-school.  He's working on his parallel turns, and is just about a Level 5 skier (roughly intermediate).

The holiday season ends tonight.  Ashley and I go back to work tomorrow and Bode heads back to school.  We continue to ask ourselves, "Why do we continue to work?"  And each month we are answered with the delivery of the mortgage balances :-)  Pleasant week to all, and Happy 2016.