Day 3 of skiing in Utah and my quads are letting me know it's been 8 years since I've demanded so much of them. I'm at least holding up better than Steve who is taping up his knee so it barely resembles anything anatomical. But before I go there let's get back to the beginning.
The arriving view into Salt Lake City on Monday was enough to tear Kyran away from his Ipad. 'Woah, look at that snow!' he exclaimed. For kids that are used to sun and sand, sight of the white stuff is yet another treat. Steve's knee was giving him some problems so the extra luggage we now have was mainly carried by Kyran and myself. It must be the Abel gene - perhaps my ancestors were sherpers or something? outside. Erin had problems with ensuring all the teddies had breathing space (it being cold they needed to wrap up warm in the bag) and I was surprised we made it outside the airport building at which point our nervous daughter had a repetitive run of questions.. Q) when will we be there? A) half hour. Q) will it be cold? A) yes. Q) what will our room be like? A) not sure, but warm. Q) will we know anyone? A) unlikely but dad has a habit of making friends with anyone that smells like a sportsman so lets wait and see. Q) how long till we get there? A) the same as before..half an hour!
Steve had spent months researching where to stay as it's a two week stay and haA came up trumps. Large 2 bed condo in SilverStar which is part of Park City Resort. For those who like to Ski/board, the news is that 'Vail resorts' have been buying up resorts (including Perisher in Australia) and one yearly pass now enables the holder to ski at all of these resorts at the single price. It's a great price and Park City is now enormous since they added in lifts to connect Canyons and Deer Valley. Anyway, that news aside, the kids arrived and then promptly went outside and made snow angels, threw snowballs and did what you expect kids to do and came back soaking.
Our first day was met with the most magnificent weather. 50 degrees and powder on the slopes! We sent the kids off to snow boarding school, that being their choice over skiing, and I secretly said a prayer of thanks to the weather gods, as I knew if we had minus temp with snowstorms on day one of school I was likely to be kissing goodbye to enthusiastic boarders, As it was they complained they were too hot (not having the sense to take off some clothing) and loved every minute of it. After dropping them off, Steve and I hit the slopes to 6 hours of glorious skiing. I think I'm safe in writing that I like skiing a lot more than Steve as I started a lot younger. While it's been 8 years since we've been on the slopes it felt like no time had passed once we were up the mountain I felt the glorious thrill of hitting the slopes. I'm no longer looking at speed as I consider not falling down my main criteria but I probably should have been a bit more careful which runs I took Steve down. We hit a double blue quite early on in the day which is quite steep and Steve took a tumble. His knee did not appreciate the fall but thankfully he got up and managed to finish the day. I'm fortunate to have skied on three continents and while I miss (a lot) the European 'during and apre ski scene (I do not consider a bud light an alcoholic option on top of the mountain) I do love USA skiing. Slopes here are WIDE and there's so much space and they go forever. Even the steep ones are reasonable, Only a few boarders to negotiate as the serious skiers have whizzed past you at 80 k an hour! the slopes are so wide and easy to ski - even the very steep ones! Everyone has a preference, and I guess this is just mine. Just think I need to take a hip flast with me (that's what my parents used to do!)
Better still are the slopes are empty. Apparently we've come in a busy week (presidents holiday) and we overheard someone complain about the line up for the chair lift and I had to double take to where he was refering to which was our current lift. It took us just 7 minutes from end of queue to chair. Some people do not realise how lucky they are!!
The major installment of 'mum where is my ...' occured on day 2 skiing. Kyran, psyched jumped up, put on his gear and then said 'mum where is my ski- jacket?' The kid had left it on the local slope after a snowball fight. Apparently this was my fault because I'm in charge of organising everything. I'm hoping putting a frozen jacket may remind him to remember to hang everything up and double check they he has everything each night, but looking at the pile on the floor I'm not so sure..
So, why the thunder..well after two days of glorious weather couldn't last and today we were met today with a mother of all storms. Rain and thunder, then hail and finally the snow. Apparently 75k winds at the top of the mountain (sounds high but that's what we were told) but lets just say it was really really windy they closed all the ski lifts (even the kiddies one) and after a morning of ski school we took our two, who were frozen to the core off the slopes and back home. I've tried to coerce the kids to come into town with me, but the shock of the cold and the allure of a TV was too much and as I write I see the Dunn's doing what they do best (see picture!)
So back to the thighs, or should I just say body generally. One thing about leaving gaps in ones skiing career is you recognise changes in the body. My tennis elbow can't handle carrying the boots and my legs on the morning of day 2 went on strike on the first run and it wasn't until a bit of warming up that I could get them to dig in - that hasn't happened before! Between Steve and I I've had the acupuncture needles out morning and night!
Anyway, I've cooked the roast which needs an hour in the oven and so I'm signing off and taking a book to read for an 'apre ski' somewhere! !!
