I started skiing at the age of 8. I had to wait until my brother was 5, so we could learn together and all go skiing as a family. I never learned to snowplow. What I mean is, I didn't learn to ski using the snowplow, or leashes, or anything to hold my tips together. I just learned how to ski straight and fast. When I wanted to stop, I fell over. Not ideal, but I learned how to fall without getting hurt.
We teach what we know, so that's how I taught our son to ski. No snowplow and no learning aides.
Keep in mind that this was his first time in his ski boots and his first time on skis. He knows what skis are and he has skied on my back before, but never on his own.
Playing with Mommy and Daddy's skis (@ 9 months old)
Lolo Pass (@ 9 months old)
He absolutely loved it! He was literally laughing the entire time. He picked it up immediately. Well, he actually fell after only a few feet, but he laughed and got right back up and asked to "Go Fast." Which he did, again and again. It was the perfect ski day.
Saturday at Lost Trail went so well that we went to Snowbowl the very next day. Expectations were still a little low. He may not like it on Sunday. He may not improve.
Wrong. He loved it even more and skied more runs. He was still laughing and having a blast. And so were we. No pizza for this kid. Just french fries.
I don't know if I have ever been so happy or proud (wedding day, and his birth immediately come to mind).
This winter hasn't shaped up like we all hoped it would, but watching my boy, was one of the greatest ski days of my life. I can't wait for the next one.
Short Version
Long Version
