I grew up in a ski family and started when I was about three-years-old. Mike started skiing later in life, but by the time we met, we were pretty well matched. He was a little faster but I had better form, so we both challenged each other.
We’ve spent the past ten years going on a yearly ski trip in March with Mike’s cousins. When these trips started, his youngest cousin was six-years-old. He’d bring up the rear when we all skied together or go off with his dad when Mike and I wanted to ski harder slopes. Over the years, we have watched him steadily get more advanced. He’s now sixteen and just as good as us. I’m sure in a year or two, he’ll get even better as we start our steady decline.
Last week, we took Mazzy to Park City for our annual ski trip. It was her fourth time on skis. What’s great is that I’ve posted about every trip on my blog so it’s easy for anyone to look back and track her progress.
There was the time she wouldn’t even put on her skis.
The time it was too cold to ski.
And last year when we put her in ski school for the majority of the trip and then skied with her the very last day.
That day was the first hint of what was to come. Mazzy could ski. Not only that, she was cautious and liked to be in control so I started to trust her to watch out for herself as she went down the mountain— not the easiest transition for a parent.
This year, we put her in ski school the first couple of days and then skied with her the remaining two. It was, in a word— AWESOME.
Not only can she ski, she can ski almost as fast as us and on some pretty challenging slopes. It wasn’t like we were waiting for her or going on bunny trails to appease her. She could ski right alongside us, like she was part of the group.
Mazzy’s favorite thing was finding paths through the woods to take her on little off-slope detours (she called them “tunnels”); something I always loved as a kid too.
But rather than explain in detail just how impressed I was Mazzy’s skills, I’ll just post a video so you can see for yourself!
See? I wasn’t exaggerating! For once.
The other great thing about the trip was seeing Mazzy get closer with her cousins— who are from Mike’s side of the family and range from eleven-years-old to over 50. I think just as Mazzy turned a corner with skiing this year, she turned a corner with them too. She’s at an age where she is now realizing the significance of extended family and I could see her opening up to really get to know them as people— not just as the older kids and adults in the room. As for our cousins, they were seeing Mazzy’s real personality come out for the first time too. It was really special to watch.
Now we just need to get Harlow in ski school next year so she can catch up and we can all ski together like the ski family we were meant to be!
If Harlow hates the cold (which is a large possibility), I bet she’ll love the hot tub.
Après-ski is where Mazzy does some of her best work too.
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I love it! And the trick skiing with Mike was so adorable.
Mazzy the Pink Blur! Loved watching again! The snapchats were great the first time!
Look at her go!! It’s so exciting seeing them accomplish these big things. <3
I loved seeing your snaps! We live in Denver and this makes me wonder why we haven’t put our 3 year old in ski school yet. Next winter we’re totally doing it! Oh, and I can take it right along with him, because I still don’t know how to ski.
Mazzy looks so happy! I mean she almost always does, but it looks like she really loves skiing. What a fun tradition for your family. And if Harlow decides she doesn’t enjoy the slopes, there’s always a cousin/aunt/uncle/grandma who hangs out in the cabin playing fun games and drinking hot chocolate by the fire. That can be just as much fun.
Wow, Mazzy has mad skills…my palms are sweating just watching her go down the hard slopes. It takes a lot of leg muscles. Go Mazzy go!!!!
My hamstrings hurt just watching! So I’m a ski dummy but curious, is there a reason she doesn’t have the poles?
Kids tend to not use poles until they older. I think it’s just one more thing for them to potentially hurt themselves with. Plus, kids are lower to the ground so they don’t need them as much for balance.
Mazzy is awesome. I loved skiing without poles, and actually still do it if I’m on an easier hill.
You should have had a motion sickness warning! Did you film that with your phone? Super impressive filming and skiing!
Wow – go Mazzy! She’s awesome 🙂
I love it! I haven’t been skiing in over a decade, but now that we live in New England, we are hoping to get our kids into it next winter.
Wow – great job Mazzy! Growing up in Australia, I didn’t learn to ski until I was 22 and went to the US – my friend who taught me was a kids’ instructor and she wouldn’t let me have poles to start with – best thing ever. I’m much more comfortable skiing without them.
So fun! I have never been skiing so I was super amazed at how well she did at such a young age! Also I love the picture of the 3 of you! Great memories!
Long time reader, don’t think I’ve commented before,. just LOVE to read your posts and watch your videos, always appreciate your humour AND advice (even though my twin boys are 24 so I’m done with the whole raising portion of this gig)…Question on Mazzy’s skiing, only see her with poles a few times throughout the photos, is that the more modern way kids are being taught to skin nowadays or could you explain a bit about why no need for poles or does she just not like them? I thought they were really imperative for turning and balance and such. (You can tell it’s been easily 25 years since I’ve been skiing myself or I’d probably know the answer).
[…] your friends and family souvenirs when you travel? I bought you guys a pair of cow socks on our Park City ski trip. Why cow socks? I have no good reason. I just really thought you’d like […]