Atomic Nomad Crimsons!

First new pair of sticks since before the boys were born. Picked these babies up at Snigrab today for 499! Great deal since the 2010 models retail for 1300 or so and older pairs like these (2008/2009) are still way over $600. Came with bindings and all.

Excited as these appear to be a nice cross-over GS/race ski with a much wider foot print and a lot less weight.

Can't wait to try them out both front side and back side!

Jack and Owen resting at Loveland

A well earned rest!

Hit Loveland for the first day out with the kids. Yesterday Katie and I hit Keystone and with a few runs with A & J. The weather was great, however, the conditions were just ok. Keystone definitely needs snow as the trails with no snow making were a little thin. Nonetheless got in a good 5 hours of groomers and a bit of short turns. The snow was icy in places, too much for my amazingly dull boards. I will get them tuned one of these days.

Back to Loveland. We usually hit Keystone with the kids as it is 5 minutes from my parents place, but this year the price was a little steep, 45 for us (comp tickets since my dad works at the Beav) to ski the beginner lift and 50 for the boys as they are now 6, a little bit of a reach for them trying to act like 4 year olds. Also, a lot to spend for a few runs on the magic carpet and the short lift. So, Loveland seemed like a great place to try as they have Lift 7 at the smaller area that is only 25 for adults and 18 for kids over 5. Plus, we could head home after skiing, a pass closer to home. What a deal especially since the parking is free as well; right next to the lift. Everything seemed to go well getting there until we discovered that the kids mittens were still back in the dryer from the day of playing in the snow yesterday. No worries as Loveland had 3 pairs of mittens for 10 bucks apiece! Not bad really. I guess it always pays to have a few pair of extra mittens for the kids. 

Finally, after all of the bathroom breaks, ski pants and boot buckling we got the kids on the lift. Of course their first run was a little rough, but it was clear that all three of the kids were going to make the leapt this year. It seemed that each time we told them to make the pizza pie they actually did it! I could not believe it as last year was simply doing loops on the magic carpet with one person at the top and one at the bottom catching them. This year the kids (even Lily at 3...not surprising since she started riding a 2-wheeler this summer a full 2 years earlier than the boys) were clearly ready to start turning or at least start getting to the point where they can slow themselves down. Anyway, many runs later with each of them getting a bit better each run, we almost had all of them making turns on their own. The last run with Owen I never touched him or held him...I just skied backwards in front of him and told him where to turn; and he turned! Pretty cool. Can't wait to go again with them. Maybe Eldora next as we now have all of the equipment at home rather than at the parents!

Ski Weekend 2009

Tentative Schedule : Weekend of 2/16/2009

Hope to head to a combination of Monarch and Wolf Creek, i.e. avoid Summit and Eagle for a smaller, deeper experience. Still need to figure out lodging and logistics.

Pictures from 2008.