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Emily does her first green run and Brennan..isn't sure at Brighton
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 3, 2010
I've been waiting and the wait is over. Emily is doing the greens!! My goal by the end of the season was for her to do some green runs with me and we're already there!! It was such a proud moment!! We went up to Brighton because we decided to give Brennan another go at the skiing thing. As in previous blogs, I mentioned we bonded with Gina as an instructor. I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a good instructor and sticking with him/her. Get a lesson, get their name and stick with the same person if possible. Especially when they are young. Brennan doesn't trust very many, so important for him. I also thought the green runs are so nice at Brighton. If you find runs you are comfortable with and know well, that is the best place to go when taking the little guys on your own.
Brennan got to ski school and was ready to go ahead with Gina once again. Emily was very excited to show Gina what she's learned in her lessons at Deer Valley the last few weeks. Most of the resorts with have a cheaper lift ticket you can purchase for just the beginner runs which is a savings on a family if you know you or your kids are not going to ski the whole mountain, purchase the 1-2 lifts ticket and get your feet wet first on the mountain and then maybe the next day you can get a regular priced ticket. You can also get discounted tickets at many places before you head up to the mountain including ski n' see. It will save you a few dollars.
Emily and I headed up the beginner lift so she could show Gina how she was doing and also to see how Brennan would do. Emily "didn't want any help, I can do it myself", so I helped her on the lift and off, but that was it. It had also started to snow...so SCORE for me! We get to the top and Brighton has a wonderful setup with Polar Bear wooden cutouts. It is something for the kids to head toward while skiiing down the mountain...practicing turns, slowing... Emily did this early in the season with Gina and they named the polar bears. Miss "I remember everything" remembered this and when we were all off the chairlift, she made a point of calling out the names. Also, "Gina, watch me". Meanwhile, Gina is trying to control Brennan. He doesn't really want to stand up, just wants to be held up by Gina. A task with the 2 year olds. Gina got clever toward the bottom and just stood him up and of course he can do it. We all have that child who can convince us they need "help" when really they are capable of doing it themselves. This is why an instructor is good...you get frustrated, they don't. Thanks Gina!
After seeing Brennan sort of "do his thing", Gina said she felt Em was ready for the lift. So, Majestic...here we come. As we're skiing away from the beginner run I hear Brennan say he needs "a little rest". Good luck! Highest lift Emily has been on and she's looking down and getting a little scared. Under Majestic is the 1/2 pipe and all the rails and snowboard fun. I'm trying to explain we are not going down there, not even Mommy is doing that. But, in a 4 year old mind, that's scary! We get to the top, BEAUTIFUL snow falling...love the Utah powder.. and away we go. Emily is confident! Not crazy daring, but sure of herself. Awesome! We go down this green slope and see maybe 2-3 people, snow is falling and Emily is doing great. Great tree lined run, beautiful and great for our first run. I'm so proud, I could burst!
I get a text from Gina; they're back in the ski school room. Brennan is done. That's ok. Em and I arrive to Gina looking at books, drinking hot chocolate and Bren is happy as can be. He did ok and as well at 2 as expected. Now if he would just be more independent... Maybe next time. Again, every experience he has is great. DON'T push, don't criticize, just encourage and make it fun and he'll want to come back. Gina has been great at that and I think it is one of the reasons Emily is doing so well.
I've been asked what is the best age. My answer...it depends on the child. I would say 4. Try at 2, try at 3 and be assured at 4 they are ready. I think by the exposure at 2 and 3; even for an hour here or there to put it in their head; but at 4 they are really ready to try and will remember from the years before. If your child is more independent, they may do well and take off earlier, but I feel 4 has been a great age. Emily was on skis at 2 and 3, but something clicked this year.
I have one question as you watch the videos of the kids. My husband and I had a discussion as I was filming Em skiing ahead of me . As a parent, do you go in front of them or behind? My husband thinks in front; I'm not sure
Next blog...let's talk what clothing is good/bad and what about snacks?
Weekly lessons at Deer Valley for a Bambi
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 12, 2010
Some differences in lessons. Private lessons are wonderful and you get the one on one attention, but can be a bit spendy. Showing up to a resort and having a group lesson is great because you can ski for the day and the kids get into their age group and enjoy learning with other kids. The consecutive weekly lessons are really nice because you have the same instructor and same kids in the class week after week.
Emily is 4, so she is the the Bambi class. This means there are only TWO kids to one instructor. As they get older, they jump into larger classes. Deer Valley has a magic carpet and 2 beginner lifts, so there is plenty of terrain for the little ones to get started.
After getting up early, going to school, eating and dressing in the car and driving to Deer Valley, we are ready to go. A few bits of advice....ARRIVE EARLY. You head to the Childrens Center with all the other parents and kids on the first day...imagine being in a line at Disney World where everyone is itching to get on the ride :) So, you need to register the kids. Be organized! Fill out your paperwork on-line if you could, it will save time once you get there. Also, the weekly lessons do fill up, so plan early and make sure you have your reservation. Have the kids dressed in their ski gear and skis with you when you arrive into the Childrens Center. It took us a good 1/2 hour, so plan ahead early to ensure all the lessons start on time. After checking in, we head upstairs to the Bambi room to find our instructor and get ski boots on. Prepare for LOTS of kids, so remember what your kid looks like :)
We find Miles from Australia and fill him in on Emily's skills. She has only one other little girl with her. Get a potty break in and Moms and Dads head out until 4 pm! The kids will get a break for hot chocolate and to warm up as needed, but are out learning until 4. You pick up the Bambis inside, the older ones at the bottom of the slopes.
I skiied for awhile and then went to check Emily out. She was doing great!! This is the longest period she's skiied and I could tell Miles worked her legs hard :) Again, another day without the edgie wedgies, so I think we're safe to say...already done with that.
Em is pooped out when I go to pick her up but has big smiles...important. Miles fills me in on how she did. Need to work a little on how to get up when falling. He feels she'll be ready for the big lift in a week or 2!! I'm so pleased and look forward to that. I'll watch with 1 finger over my eye!
Deer Valley has a huge Child Care program as well. If your kids aren't quite ready to ski, that's OK. They take kids as early as 2 months old! There are plenty of activities to keep them going all day. For ski lessons, the kids need to be potty trained. In the 3 year old program, they can go into an hour long lesson with an instructor. I'll have to check this out when Brennan turns 3 soon!
Check out Deer Valley's web site for much more info on things to do. They are definitely a full service resort and have just about anything you could possibly need. After all, it's the Deer Valley way!!
