A Winter Getaway

Snow is nice and all, but it can get old fast.  Especially when it starts to melt, it just makes everything - especially driving - sloppy.  At least that's how we've thought about it for the past six years.

This year we decided to embrace our Michigan-ness and take up skiing as a family.  Aside from tubing (Gianina and Adrian) and a fairly disastrous attempt at snowboarding (myself) last year, we have zero snowsport experience... so we thought it'd be fun.

We went to a place a little over two hours north of GR called Crystal Mountain.  It came well recommended, so we thought than even if we completely hated the skiing experience, we'd at least get a nice mini-vacation. 

The place itself was great.  I have no complaints except for the price tag, which was partly my fault because i booked a package that included lift tickets (which only i got to use once because we almost exclusively spent our ski time on the learning slope) and a bunch of "inclusions" that all houseguests get anyway.  All-in-all however, the service was impeccable and the accommodations were nice and cozy.  Still, next time i'm just booking the room itself.

Adrian showing off the fireplace.

We attempted to toast some marshmallows... not feasible when the fireplace is covered.

Enjoying a hearty dinner with our friends Randell and Manuel.

Anyway, i honestly had a blast doing the assorted winter activities available.  Downhill skiing was of course the centerpiece, but we also got to try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The happy couple. 

I don't care much for my bruised hips or sore legs, and even less for the unpleasant sensation of having my foot go in one direction and knee go in the other (thankfully, the ski came off), but i must admit that going downhill - albeit at a snail's pace - is exhilarating.  I can see why people fall in love with this (i didn't really get it last year, maybe because i spent 90% of the time lying horizontal on the ground).

Here's a few pics of me... umm, enjoying myself, punctuated by a video of me finally able to ski and turn downhill.  I looked like a complete idiot, but at least i could maneuver.

Getting ready to hit the slopes. 

Going up the "magic carpet." 

What's green outside and black and blue inside? 

We signed Adrian up for a few lessons.  He had a grand time in the first few hours falling down and skiing into snowbanks.

Wipeout (well, not quite). 

After another wipeout.

Ultimately, he did get the hang of it and could ski downhill without incident.  Yes, you and i know that zombies put their hands out in front.  Not so for three-year-old boys.

Gianina also enjoyed herself thoroughly, although she did come home with a fair amount of bruising as well.

At least one of us was happy! 

Maybe we'll get to like the snow yet.  We have five more months to find out.  We'll probably go out again in the next few weeks (perhaps someplace closer) and try to "conquer" some green slopes.