Wow, things sure are getting a little dusty around these parts, but that’s because I took a few days off from the Internet to hit the slopes and the best snow of the year in Tahoe. And you want to know what epiphany I underwent while there? I don’t actually LIKE skiing. Not one teeny-tiny bit.
Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. You see, I like the whole concept of skiing, the getting all your gear on, setting your boots and gloves ablaze with toe and finger warmers, getting the lift ticket from the fancy little machine, going up the ski lift, swooshing back and forth against a mountain of whipped cream snow. But the truth is: I’m not very good at this activity one bit.
I actually learned to ski as a kid at ski school at Northstar, when my mom and I came out West for a couple weeks. I was pretty good back then, but hey, that was 18 years ago, and I guess it’s not much like riding a bike at all. I did ski one weekend every year or two, in crappy, icy East Coast conditions at that, but that does not a pro skier make, apparently, as I spent more time doing faceplants than I did exercising my skiing prowess. Which was only made all the more humiliating, as my ski companions were SVV, who tears up the double blacks on his snowboard, and the intrepid Moose, who can hold her own on the slopes. I dare say they spent much of the day waiting for me to trip my way down the blues, as they gracefully careened to the bottom without so much as a stumble.
It was still fun, nonetheless. I have never been in powder that deep, it was over four feet in parts and I found out later those ungroomed trails we spent all afternoon on were only fit for advanced skiers, so my pride recovered a bit. It was not uncommon for both Moose and me to lose a ski in the deeper parts and come out on the other side with just one ski on our foot. That’s how deep it was. I actually couldn’t even find my ski at one point and had all sorts of nightmares that the rental place was going to make me buy them a replacement set, at least until the spring when the snow melted and the missing ski reappeared. I won’t say I didn’t whine each time I fell and heard another bone crackle, but lucky for me, the backside of the mountain at Alpine Meadows was pretty much deserted, so at least I didn’t take out any unsuspecting bystanders—or worse, pint-sized kids—throughout my follies.
I had planned to ski all three days we were there, but it turns out, one day was more than enough. (In my irrational rage at not being good at something, I initially said I would never ski again. Now, I think I would like to take actual lessons, as to someday channel Moose once I knew the proper technique.) So, the days following, us lady folk hung around our awesome lakeside pad, which had an amazing outdoor hot tub and views like this:
We spent ample time knitting and overdosing on How I Met Your Mother with our crafty compadres, Chris and Jemima, while SVV and J’s hubby Simons got their ski on at Northstar.
I also snowshoed for the first time, which was both more challenging and fun than I would have ever thought.
It felt slightly Narnia-esque as we ventured far up into the woods where no snowshoer dared to go before…
The dog, who did not warrant her own snowshoes, got booties instead.
And J, gourmet chef that she is, cooked us a lot of delicious meals, including her 12th Annual Anti-Valentine’s Day dinner, complete with a “bitter and battered” menu. I’ve never been particularly anti-Valentine’s as it seems so popular to be these days, but hey, I also never say no to the woman’s cooking (which was topped off with luscious chocolate pot de creme…it doesn’t get much better than that).
It was just an awesome weekend all around, filled with good friends, good food and a lot of booze. The drive back, however, was not so fun. As opposed to the three hours it normally takes to get back to the city, we arrived home just under seven. But with the Interstate conditions like so, it’s really a surprise we were able to make it back at all.
And now it’s your turn: How did you all celebrate the holiday weekend?
More photos here; videos of our exploits to come when I have time to do a little iMovie-ing!
Am I really the first to comment? I can not imagine the utter hilarity that would be me attempting to ski. I just keep seeing the Goofy cartoon where he goes barreling off into oblivion going “Ahhhh hooo hooooooo hooooooooooooo”
We used to take off to Charleston every year for Valentines but have retired that for a while while these kids that follow us around everywhere work on getting a little more self reliant. In the mean time we opt for a romantic night in involving me doing absolutely noting except consuming large amounts of alcohol and grabbing my husband’s butt while HE cooks a delicious meal. Really is there anything more sexy?
Well, I’ve learned that some people don’t grasp the concept of WiiSports which resulted in me getting punch in the face when said person felt the need to box at my face rather than the TV screen. Such was my long weekend. You weekend sounds a lot better.
I have never been skiing, ever, but these pictures totally make me want to try it. I’m glad you had such a great weekend! (We went to the beach! Picture-laden recap is up on my site; my feed is broken, too. Google reader hates me.)
Homemade Chicken Noodle soup and Red Lobster biscuts. Moving. J.Crew Cashmere.
I didn’t celebrate at all. Too busy with work.
But oh my, words can’t even begin to express how much I love snow and these pictures – it looks so heavenly! Not that I know how to ski, or ever even tried. But you know, knitting and watching some really good television, now THAT is my kind of holiday celebration. The picture of you guys sitting around all cuddled up in blankets and whatnot with the winter wonderland right outside is BLISS.
It wasn’t a long weekend here. BOO. And we are all sick. DOUBLE BOO.
Your weekend, however, looks and sounds fabulous
You’ve got to give it another try! It’s so much better when the powder isn’t so deep. You’re a soccer girl! You would totally rule at it with a little more practice. I just know it.
Wish I was in Tahoe skiing with you! Instead we vegged at home and spent time with the new dog.
I hear you on those ungroomed runs – they are really tough to ski. For the record, you are doing quite well if you can make it through those kinds of runs!
Don’t give up yet – the ski lessons are a great idea!
I hate skiing. HATE. I’ve only done it twice in my life, but each time was a total disaster (I got kicked out of a beginner ski class for holding back the group because I sucked so much.) and I have sworn to never do it again. My idea of a trip to Tahoe is sitting by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate
I go snow-skiing every year, and every year I have the same exact epiphany! I WANT to like it…it seems like it should be so much fun! I did the ski lessons too, and while it made me a bit better skier, I’m still that fond of it. My favorite part always seems to be the glass of wine I have after my hot shower.
And, I spent my Valentine’s day with the flu…oh so romantic.
The night before Valentine’s Day, we went out to dinner- I know, something I’m not supposed to do in a recession- and a burlesque show. On V-Day itself, we cooked dinner together with a few single, date-less friends. Brrr, don’t envy the skiing, but love your pretty pictures!
I love the fourth picture and how I met your mother.
My weekend was so low key- I ate Chinese food and celebrated Mike’s grandmother’s birthday and went to the gym.
We celebrated our first Valentines together with too much food cooked, wine consumed, and Law and Order on DVD watched. It was great, but probably not as good as skiiiiing (for me, but Kelly would join you in the knitting circle while I skiiiied).
In other news, I completed the monstrosity of a blanket. It’s big enough to cover our queen-sized bed.
Beautiful photography! & ughh I haaaate iMovie. It always lags on my computer.
I never took to skiing. I do like the apres ski activities, though–hot chocolate or apple cider by the fire, aperitifs and maybe a fondue dinner, and snuggling under the blanket for a disco nap before hitting the clubs. Maybe if I went to Whistler, BC, or somewhere more fashionable than Barrie, Ontario or Collingwood, Ontario, then I might reconsider the whole skiing thing.
Your photos are great, though!
I haven’t been skiing since 6th grade and don’t miss it at all. I mean, I agree, I love the idea of skiing (snow! fleece clothes!)- but in reality? HASSLE.
i have been skiing A LOT. i even took lessons as a kid. and i HATE it. seriously hate it. which totally blows because the husband? he loves skiing. and he’s good.
Looks like a fun weekend! I’ve never had the desire to go skiing. I went once, on a hill in Chicago as a kid and sucked at it. Plus, I grew up and currently live in a snowy climate. I hate snow.
I would rather go to a snowy resort in Tahoe and sip wine in the outdoor hot tub!
Glad you had a good time!
You know, I totally had that epiphany too, the “screw this, I don’t actually LIKE skiing” one. And I thought that was the end of it. I’d made my peace with not liking skiing and it was fine. I wouldn’t be a skiier! So what!
But then a funny thing happened: I tried it again and actually DID start to like it — only in small bursts at first, but then more and more. I’d totally, totally, totally recommend having another lesson: I had three while in Banff and I cannot TELL YOU what a difference they made. I thought I knew what I was doing, but apparently I had no idea. And all of a sudden I just got it. And enjoyed it.
Ooh the snow looks DELICIOUS! I’m sick of being coated in greasy sweat, so I’d LOVE to be over there just now.
My mommy isn’t good at skiing either!
I was island-lovin’, baby. But Tahoe sounds nice too, as long as you’re with the ones ya love. (I would have been happy with my guy if I’d gone to visit him in Kansas in the middle of winter, instead of paradise!)