Ski Practice

Jessi recently signed up for her school's Ski Trip at Calabogie Peaks. Since her skiing experience is limited to three visits since 2022, we figured it'd be good for her to get more practice before the field trip in March. We took the PA Day opportunity last Friday to head up to Batawa Ski Hill once again. 

It was a whole family outing, with this being just the second time Emily and I try skiing. While we enjoyed our first experience, it was a bit too scary and tiring for us to want to do it again... until last Friday!

Emily and I quickly got the hang of the handheld ski lift and going down the Bambi Hill. She and I happily stayed on this beginner hill for the remainder of our visit. After a few runs, Steve and Jessi felt ready to try the bigger hills for the first time. 

Good luck! Stay safe!

Thumbs up for Bambi

Getting on a real ski lift was part of the learning experience because Jessi's only experience with ski lifts was the terrifying one in Whistler 2022. The good news is that the Batawa Lift was much better. The bad news is that Steve mistakenly thought the "Easy Way" was a beginner route, when in fact it was an intermediate one... 

Steve's experience down the hill was one of feeling like he was going too fast, intentionally falling over to stop/avoid missing a turn, struggling to remove his skis, getting back up, putting them on, and continuing on. This happened twice during the ride down Easy Way/Long John. Poor guy! Fortunately Jessi made it all the way down without mishaps and found it to be quite the thrill. Yay!

What the hell was that?

After a break and a few runs down the relaxing Bambi Hill, Steve and Jessi found the courage to try a big route again -- this time using the T-Bar Lift (not as good as the classic one) and going down Boomerang, a beginner route.

This hill was no different for Steve -- he still felt like he had no control and needed to fall over to stay safe. Jessi made it down, but narrowly escaped missing a turn. It was a bit too scary for her taste! 

Emily and I were content on Bambi, but eventually got bored and tired long before our 4-hour time slot. We sat at the picnic tables and waited for Steve and Jessi's return. Happily for Jessi, the day ended with roasting marshmallows by the Ski Hill fire pits: a PA Day treat!

Contemplating his lack of ability

Given my experience, as well as the time and money spent, I rated my day at 4/10. Emily and Steve were 6/10, with Jessi at 8/10. This might not be the sport for us, save Jessi. Ha! Have fun on your field trip.

Nathalieland Update - February/School/Skiing/Birthday

Busy February. In addition to braces and holidays, our calendar was full of fun activities this month. We tried (and successfully escaped from!) our third Escape Room: Seven Dwarfs Mining Mission. I had an overdue visit to Ottawa for auntie D's 40th birthday, we watched the Super Bowl with family, went out to brunch for Papa Garry's birthday, and watched cousin Brandt's hockey game. Awesome stuff!

Improbable Escapes #3

Future Schools' Open Houses. Also on the calendar: we had a chance to visit the girls' schools for next year! Emily's high school and both of Jessi's grade 7/8 options held open houses where we heard presentations from the staff and students, then toured the school and classrooms. Now the girls are that much more excited for the transition.

Daddy-Daughter Skiing. We were running out of time to make it to the Batawa Ski Hill before spring, but fortunately Steve and Jessi squeezed in a visit on Sunday. Sounds like they had a blast, skiing on the Bambi Hill for nearly 3.5 hours straight! Emily and I (happily) stayed home to prepare for Grand-Papa's birthday party that afternoon.

Episode 38: The Little Skier

Bonne Fête Grand-Papa. Our hard work paid off and Grand-Papa was spoiled for his 73rd with chicken fondue, raspberry-cream-puff cake, presents, old home videos, and a show from the kids.

What a month! And more excitement to come in March.

Batawa Ski Hill Adventure

Yesterday we tried something completely new: skiing! With zero experience among the four of us, it made for quite a memorable adventure. We were encouraged to try it out by Steve's friend Aaron, who had recently introduced the sport to his 5-year-old daughter.

Fueling up before the big adventure

Steve did some research and found out that there was a small ski hill just an hour away: Batawa Ski Hill near Trenton, Ontario. We signed up for the "First Timers Discover" package, which included a 1-hour group lesson, equipment rental, and access to their Bambi Hill. 

Chilly morning

Ready!

Our instructor was only 16 or 17 years old, but he sure knew his stuff and made us work hard! The toughest part was creeping up a small slope sideways (no poles) before gliding back down to practice bending and stopping.

That was hard work, eh?

After the lesson we took a short break and then spent 1.5 hours going up and down the Bambi Hill. We had a blast! The handheld ski lift was so cute and the hill was just the right height and length for our skill level. 

Map of the hills (we were in the red circle area)

Grabbing hold of the ski lift

Episode 30: The Ski Lift

About to head down (Can you spot Jessi?)

Emily and I didn't let a couple of early falls deter us from trying again. We just stood up (with difficulty, ha!) and got back in the lineup. Fortunately no one was injured and I (just barely!) managed to avoid colliding with a group of skiers at the bottom of the hill.

Thumbs up in the waiting line

Here's a video Steve took of the three of us coming down:

Episode 31: The Bambi Hill

Go Daddy!

The outing was a definite success -- so much so that we might head back a second time before winter's over.