Articles Related To: Kids

PowderTwins, Alta and 4 feet of snow

We are the PowderTwins, 5th graders who are skiing all 14 resorts in Utah this season. Last week we visited Alta and its 4 feet of new snow. Check out what a couple of kids think of Alta.

Ski with a ranger and snow good enough to eat!

The Cottonwood Canyons have a great free program to learn about wildlife, the watershed and the environment. It's called Ski with a ranger. And with all the great FEET of snow we've received...Emily thinks it's good enough to eat!

The Deer Valley way...from small classes to the food!

I am often asked "where is the best place to take lessons?". There is no right answer because we all look for something different. In starting our weekly lessons at Deer Valley, the Bambi class is small, the food is awesome and Mommy time is superb!

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month..choosing equipment!

When starting skiing or boarding, it's always tough to decide on equipment. Does it fit right, what about socks and do I need a helmet? I'm doing a 4 week series featuring great tips for parents and kids. First stop...the rental shop.

PowderTwins visit Canyons

We are 5th graders who are using our 5th Grade Passports to ski all of Utah’s 14 resorts this season. We stayed and skied at Canyons last weekend…that place has SO much for kids to do!

Weekly lessons at Snowbird

We started a five week ski school program at Snowbird. Tons of tips here, including how to find the right lesson for your kid(s). Hint, hint, don't lie about your child's ability. Follow our adventure as we take on the Bird!

PowderTwins Ski Solitude

We are 5th graders who are using our 5th Grade Passports to ski all of Utah’s 14 resorts this season. We skied Solitude this weekend and had an AWESOME time. . .and a major wipeout captured on our GoPro.

Bren's now a "boarder" at 4...first lesson at Brighton!

I'm a skier, not a great one. So, what do you do when your four-year-old only wants to snowboard? I can't teach him. How do you get him to a level to ski with Mom...head to Brighton!

PowderTwins Ski Brighton

We are the PowderTwins – twins who are using our 5th Grade Passports to ski all of Utah’s 14 resorts in a single season and blogging about it. We just skied Brighton for the first time this year and wanted to tell you about it.

Family fun at Park City Mountain Resort

Skiing PCMR for the first time this year. Three-year-old Cal shows us just why he is, "The Best Skier On The Mountain!" Also stick around for the second half of the video and see what's going down in the PCMR terrain park.

Outfitting the kids from the inside out!

It can be a challenge finding the right gear to keep the kids warm while not breaking the bank. Here are my best tips from hats to skis. And, a savings coupon for you!

Hitting the Spa at Sundance...with kids!

With Sundance being a great destination tucked up in Provo Canyon...you may never want to leave. So after skiing, eating, soaking up the scenery, what's next? How about the Art Shack and the Spa? You can bring kids as young as 3!

Introducing the Powder Twins

Meet the powder twins, Anna and Jacob. Stay tuned as these two ski and blog about all 14 Utah's resorts. . .all from a kid's perspective.

Bren becomes a snowboarder at 4 at Canyons! A special Burton board for the little guys!

I'm going to be the first to admit; I know nothing about snowboarding. But, I think I'm about to. Bren has asked to so "surfboarding" for awhile. See, for him, it's a surfboard. I'm a skier and I'll be honest, have really no desire to try boarding. I can barely navigate straight down the hill on my skis, how would I do it falling on my rear and sliding sideways? I'll leave it to my little guy.

So, when a few months ago I found out about The Burton Riglet Tour at the Canyons, I had to check it out. It was a mini snowboard park set up for kids as young as 3 to try boarding. Keep in mind, that also means there needs to be a tiny board for them. Burton has introduced an 80 cm board for the little guys.

Bren turns 4 and becomes a Bambi at Deer Valley, Emily does the Park City Nastar course and talking green trails at the resorts!

So, ski season is winding down and the kids have done so well! Brennan turned 4 this week and it opens up a whole new set of lessons he can enroll in! Most resorts keep the kids 3 and under in a daycare setting with a one hour lesson. Brennan did that at Deer Valley earlier in the season when he was a Fawn. Now, he is a Bambi! This is a big deal! A one hour lesson as a Fawn and in the daycare or a 2 1/2 hour lesson as a Bambi in Bambiland! He was excited and felt pretty big about the situation. We dropped Emily off at Park City for her Saturday Adventure in which she takes part in the Nastar course (video to follow) and Bren and I head over to Deer Valley. The beauty of Utah and Park City is that you can do that. There are 3 resorts in the area close by...The Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort.

Em does an obstacle course, Bren does Sig 3 and talking daycare!

For weeks now, I've talked about the weekly ski programs the kids are in at Park City Mountain Resort. Emily continues to do so well in her Saturday Adventure and Bren did another Signature 3 class. I'll give you a quick update with some cute video and then I want to talk a little about daycare since that is so important if you are an out of town visitor and have little guys.

Kids FINALLY hit the slopes together at Brighton!!

This blog is short and sweet! After a great year of lessons last year for Emily and a GREAT start for Brennan this year, I got the kids up the Majestic lift at Brighton. It was kind of fitting since their first lessons were at Brighton last year! I'm not going to mention that when Brennan got to the top, he decided he was done skiing.

Enjoy!

Bren does his first BIG chairlift Park City...and talking equipment!

The BIG Saturday Adventure Program at Park City

We are lucky to live in Utah! The program I'm going to tell you about is either for those that live here or winter here in Utah for 10 weeks. Basically, it is a 10 week program for 5-6 year olds. It is called the Saturday Adventure. It takes place at Park City Mountain Resort. I'm going to say right now....Emily is very lucky! How many kids at 5 years old get to ski every Saturday from 9:15-3pm? In fact, how many Moms get to ski every Saturday? I'll give you a hint...not many and not me!

A day at Sundance...a place of beauty!

There are so many choices of ski resorts in Utah. That is what is so special! From the Park City resorts to Ogden Canyon to southern Utah. But, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful is Sundance. There is a reason Robert Redford picked this location. I have to admit, I've not skiied here a lot. I'm also a big hiker and one of the greatest Utah hikes is Mt Timpanogas. It is the face you see at Sundance when you are skiing. Now sure, there are bigger resorts, but if you're looking for a relaxed day of skiing, great food and stunning views...head here.

Family Christmas Traditions....our Christmas Eve at Alta and Snowbird

Renting skis and getting the season started

There are 2 options with skis; season rentals or daily rentals. Season rentals are normally done in the fall. You rent for the whole season for a very decent price. If the kids feet grow, head back to the shop and they'll swap out your skis/boots. Also, you get free wax when you need it. Definitely the way to go with kids! After all, it's about saving money, isn't it? To buy them skis each year when you can't even keep them in shoes is hard to do. If you do daily rentals, I've got a deal for you! Ski n' See will give you an extra 25% off your daily or extended daily rental at any of it's locations if you go onto the rental page and in the promo code, fill out PRIMARY for the month of December. There are several different levels of skis to rent. The price of the daily rental depends on what skis you want. If you're like me, you don't really know the difference. The demo skis are the newest and best technology of skis. If you want to save some money, you can rent the sport package.

A little bit of weather and a whole lot of little kids!

I'll do a little intro for those that didn't follow my blog last year. My name is Jodi Saeland and I am a Mom first and foremost and a Meteorologist second. A year and a half ago I decided to leave my Broadcasting job for the stay at home Mom job. Wow! Big shout out to all the Moms out there! Hardest, yet most rewarding job there is. I have recently started back to work on a minimal basis as a broadcast Meteorologist once again. So, I will be sharing my weather knowledge of this winter with you all.

The other part of my blog will be the trials of teaching, or continuing to teach, my kids to ski.

Learning to ski at 4...great experience from beginning to end

It is now the end of April and winter is in full swing. Snowbird has had over 30" in 2 days. Yep, spring in the Rockies.

We, however, have finished our season and what a great season it was. Emily exceeded all my exceeded all my expections. I thought maybe by the end of the season, she'd be able to ski green runs...but she was doing the blues and very well I may add!

Mother Nature delivers nearly 100" of snow and Emily skis off the tram!

I've lived in Utah long enough to know we rarely if ever finish a ski season with low snow. Now this year, it has been slow to come and some have complained. Come on...even a below snow year in Utah is high in most other areas. Such is the story of the last week. I'm going to use the stats at Alta. As of March 30th, we were at 396" for the season. That is slightly below the 500" per year, but still...that's a lot of snow. Then...Ma Nature changes it up....the jet stream shifts north from it's El Nino position of all season. Just like that, 2 huge storms blow in in the classic winter pattern...north flow, big low overhead, lake effect happens and just like that... we're at 493" at Alta for the season! Let's do the math....almost 100" with 2 storms, 7 days!! Yep, welcome to Utah.

Final lesson at Brighton....ski race for the little guys; and Brennan does a lesson

I can't believe it is the end of March already and we are nearing the end of the season. Although...Mother Nature has other plans as a BIG storm is blowing in tonight. You always can tell the strength of the storm by the intensity of the wind. With temps in the upper 60's in Salt Lake, you know the cold front coming is going to be good. So, if you think it's time to hang up your skis...WRONG, we're just getting started. Check out the National Weather Service...good if you're not ready for winter to be done.

So, we had 5 consecutive Sunday lessons at Brighton and it was awesome! The terrain was so good for Emily to really get her confidence up. She was in and out of the trees (I can't even do that), and felt very comfortable. She grew from green runs to easy blues by the end. I've talked about the advantage of weekly lessons....same instructor, same students...they know the routine.

After many years skiing Alta...sharing it with Emily

I've been in Utah for 13 years. I learned to ski later in life and have had a great time. A lot of my time has been spent at Alta. I love the drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon and the views once you get to the top of Supreme lift. You can see down the valley and the beautiful views of Mt Superior. It truly is stunning. I have so many pictures from this spot; me and Husband, me and Dad, me and friends, just me.... now I can add me and Emily! Something I never imagined at the start of this ski season.

Ask a Fourth Grader...

Fourth grader, Callie Homgren, sent in her Social Studies paper on why Utah was great. If you are looking to be convinced this is the article for you.

Tubing at Gorgoza Park in Park City

If you're looking for something to do with the kiddos for a few hours, tubing is a great activity. It doesn't take a ton of energy and the kids love it. We decided to check out Gorgoza tubing hill. It is located just off the Jeremy Ranch exit off I-80 so quick access from Salt Lake or from Park City.

Ski extravaganza at Deer Valley

After 6 Friday afternoon lessons at Deer Valley, we have arrived at the Ski Extravaganza. It is the last day of lessons and the kids put on a little show for the parents to show them what they have learned during their time. It is a beautiful day at Deer Valley and I've decided to take Brennan out to the moving carpet to see if he'll do a little skiing as well. After lugging all our equipment in and getting Emily sorted out, me and Bren head out. First off....way overdressed. Ok, up the hill we go anyway to get to the beginner area. I've done everything right...had snacks, water, change pants...what could really go wrong. Yep...you guessed it....he doesn't want to go! We go up once and he lays down on the ground and won't move. He's sweating because I've overdressed him and he's done before we started. Again, a lesson I've taught throughout my blog to everyone but myself, DON'T try to teach your 2 year old to ski. Get an instructor. At this age, if they don't want to do it...game over! So, we decide to lounge in the sun and wait for Emily's show to begin.