Never Wake A Sleeping Giant

I like to ski. Rather, I think it better to say I LOVE to ski. I have skiing since I can remember. My first memories include holding on to my dad's calves at about age 3 while learning to keep parallel and snow plow. Moving on to a rope tow with my mom (that she loathed), and by the end of the day begging my dad to take me on a chair lift. Not one to ever say no to an adventure, he obliged and I had my first chair-lift ride and top to bottom ski. Wow. I was rewarded with a very concerned looking mother who had hot-chocolate at the ready. Good times. I am fortunate. I have skied around the world. As a kid, my parent's always fed into my desire and as an adult, I have been able to ski with both family and friends. Then, I got married.

Tad grew up in a non-skiing family. I know. I couldn't believe it either, and still said yes at the altar - with one condition - he take a lesson to see if he could learn to like something I love so much. He kept asking me why I like skiing so much. I was trying to come up with reasons to NOT like it. Then, I finally came up with something like "you are outside, enjoying nature, cruising down a mountain while listening to your ipod and getting a little exercise at the same time". Wasn't really the sell I needed. I also may have mentioned something about apres culture. Bad move again. I should have mentioned cigars at the end of the day. We probably could have gone for an entire week then.

At any rate, he agreed. We could go. I was so excited. Our friends Kris and Mark invited a few of us for a weekend at their home in Fraser, Colorado (home of Winter Park). I had to spring into action. This required lots of new "stuff" - mostly for Tad, but I did score a new FABULOUS hot pink jacket. I took him shopping to make sure that he liked his new duds. When I had him try on his ski pants, I made him sit all the way to the ground and stand up several times because I figured he would probably be spending a lot of time in the snow on the mountain.

So, we took our newly outfitted cute selves to Colorado for a weekend of fun with friends, fresh air and great skiing. I had a private lesson arranged for Tad - at 9am. Oops. Well, kind of. See, I wanted him to have ski school in the morning, lunch with me then maybe an afternoon run or two with me WHEN he decided he loved it. Then I realized what I had done. Tad is a sleeper. He values his weekend sleep since the week tends to be so hectic for him. I am ALWAYS awake long before him. Oh well, our reservation was non-refundable. He would have to get up. I would have to make sure he had breakfast and get him dressed. He seemed overwhelmed by the layers. He didn't know what a wicker was. Oh boy.

Getting dressed. Tad making sure he has money for apres.

Casey, Tad and Mark riding the bucket to the resort

Kris, Janin and Mark on the bucket

Tad getting fitted for boots.

Tad with Tony, his ski instructor

So, off we go. We meet up with Tony, Tad's ski instructor. I decided that I would tag along, mostly for pictures but also because it is always more fun to ski with someone. So, off we went. Tad rode the magic carpet ONCE and decided he was bored with the bunny hill. No one was more surprised by this than yours truly. SO, off we go..........

Tad and Tony riding his first lift.

I have to say that our first day on the mountain was not ideal. It was overcast, snowing and very windy. Tad thrived. He loved it. This was nothing like I expected. He was almost getting - dare I say BORED. Or at least not challenged. He decided to just ski a half day, so I was off to enjoy the rest of the day with Casey. I have to say that I wouldn't have blamed Tad in the slightest if he had decided to not go back for a second day. When Casey and I were on the mountain, you couldn't tell you were in the bumps until it was too late. You were going between powder and ice constantly. It was work. And tiring. Maybe we would just let the "sleeping giant" sleep.

Here he is, gaining speed and going a little steeper!

Skiing with Casey in the afternoon

Did everyone else know that Casey is French?!

At the end of the day, Tad looked me square in the eye and asked me what time we needed to be on the mountain. I couldn't believe it! He said he liked skiing and it was "easy". This was going even better than I thought! So, I stuffed my pockets with Kleenex and Carmex and off we went. He asked if he could listen to his iPod while skiing and the resounding answer was NO. If we ever have children, I now know what to expect.

Tad skis with Mark

Janin and Tad (who is COVERED in sunscreen) on the lift

watch out, Bode! Tad gets off the lift a little cleaner than you!

After a second glorious day on the mountain, it was time to hang up the skis for the season. Fortunately, Tad liked it enough to ask about next year, I have a new hot pink jacket (that won't be returned) and I have a new ski buddy to boot! YEAH!!!!!

Day 2, looking like a natural

Everyone has to have one of these. Tad's only spill. Caught on film. I had to snap the picture because I have a feeling this will be the only time we see this!

YARD SALE!!!!

Many thanks to The Schneiders for the hospitality and Casey for a ton of fun (and carrying my equipment)!