Crucially we got 3 year old Oli on skis for the first time and with these first 4 days "under his belt", he'll be very much under his own steam this time next year. Oli and Maggie both went into skischool/childcare for two days allowing the four of us to ski together - at least that was the idea. 'Best laid plans ....' and all that, 'cos it didn't work out that way. Mary has got a small knee meniscus tear (arthroscopic surgery imminent but she could well be fit for skiing again before end of season), and Duncan tweaked a back muscle holding up Oli on Fanny Hill on day 1 ( but he was fit enough to rip it up at Highlands including a lap of the Highland Bowl 3 days later so wasn't too serious it seems). Both M's and D's injuries were not serious enough to prevent them from skinning up to top of Buttermilk, and Katy and I had a good day downhilling there on our own. Saturday and Sunday both spent at Buttermilk on nursery slope with Oli, and Mary 'entertaining' Maggie at the base. And then to ARC ( Aspen Recreation Center ) for swimming and climbing wall. An action packed vacation for them all from which I fear they'll need a week to recover.
A couple of days later Martha arrived and a delightful visit (ongoing as I post). Skinning to Cliffhouse , Buttermilk day 1 and to Gwyn's day 2. Huge achievement coming straight from sea level and first days on skis this year!
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| The family arrive |
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| How cute is that ? |
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| Kitting out |
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| Ready to go |
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| First run |
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| Cliffhouse , Buttermilk |
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| Happy days |
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| The base at Buttermilk |
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| Precious load - hold on to him Daddy |
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| Oli and Grandad reaching an understanding |
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| Help - he's about to get away |
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| In the genes ? |
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| Martha at top of Buttermilk having skinned from Tiehack |
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| Within touching ( and pancake smelling ) distance from Gwyn's |
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| A post breakfast run from top of Cirque (first time there for Martha) to Village via Upper & Lower Green Cabin |
