I remember the first time I was able to set Ruby down on her feet, Margot standing next to her. I had two bi-pedal children. I was so accustomed to operating with one or two kids on me, using three fingers to carry groceries, wipe a nose and open the car door. To have two arms and 10 fingers felt like a superpower.
Last fall, Andy asked me if I wanted to talk about getting a season pass to our local ski hill. I haven’t had a pass in 10 years and I grimaced at his suggestion, holding onto the throes of hand-holding, bunny hills and hot cocoa in the lodge. But then I noticed my two arms and 10 fingers, our daughters running around in clothes they picked out and put on themselves. Maybe it is time. We made a plan: if Andy sold a painting or two at his November exhibit, we’d buy passes. The universe delivered on opening night and ta da! The Clines are skiing this year.
Skiing seems the perfect metaphor for our current parenting season: fast, independent, breezy, falling and getting back up. Every single weekend, Andy and I can be heard having an exchange like this:
Me: Did you SEE Ruby’s turns on that run?
Andy: Totally. And did you see Margot ski those trees and take a jump at the bottom?!
Us: Beaming, smiling, amazed, proud.
The progression is just so dang exciting! Margot is skiing black diamonds (!!!) and Ruby isn’t far off. We ski together. For hours.
And the chairlift is one of my favorite parts. Good, rich conversations with my daughters as they lean their little bodies into mine.
Another new part to this year on skis: skiing with friends – exercising my own independence, falling and getting back up. Have you ever felt anti-social and insecure, even with your favorite people? Do you have dreams about having a six pack instead of stretch marks? Do you remember when you lived with three men in a studio apartment with one jar of peanut butter and no furniture? I am over at Mamalode today with an essay about these things.
Cliché and so, heart-achingly true: it feels like yesterday and a life-time ago that I nursed Ruby in the lodge while Margot learned to ski, that Ruby learned to ski along side her sister.
Ruby, 3 yo ^
Margot, 3 yo ^ 
Margot, 4 yo // Ruby, 2 yo ^ 
Margot, 1 yo ^
Ruby, 2 yo ^
Ruby, 1 yo ^
Ruby, 2 yo ^ 
Margot, 4 yo ^
Ruby, 3 yo ^
I have been asked a lot about methods and tips for skiing with kids. A few things:
* Our guiding philosophy, always: we are here to have fun. It is such a great mantra on those days when we want our kids do something that they don’t want to do. We figure if they always have fun on skis, they will always want to ski. Some days, that means very little skiing. We always have snacks and take water breaks. Stop mid-run to lay down or throw snow balls.
* Most ski hills offer free or super cheap skiing on the bunny hill. And, young kids ski free all over the mountain. At our hill, kids under 6 ski free and our bunny hill is free to everyone.
* Cheap, used kid gear is easy to come by via craigslist, ebay, your local ski swap or a personal call on facebook.
* Our favorite gear that we buy new:
- Bern helmets
. They are so streamlined and comfortable. And, they are multi-sport – the furry insert pops out and voila. Bike/skate/scooter helmet.
- Edgie Wedgie
. A must-have for tiny beginner legs.
- Warm, long-lasting outerwear. Living in Montana and playing a lot outside, this is an obvious must. We bought Margot’s one piece suit for a song at the Patagonia outlet in Dillon, Montana. The staff is super helpful and they take phone orders too: (406) 683-2580.
At ages 2 & 4 // ages 4 & 6: 
20 Comments
This is beautiful in so many ways. Hope you have many more such lovely weekends!
Yep. I agree with Alie.
This was great and the pics too.
And I totally get the doing something without the family deal. I feel a sort of homesick if I do something without my kids. Or some kind of funk guilt because I think they would have liked to do what I was doing with me. I’m only talking a couple to a few hours of time and only a few times! But still. I get it.
-Angie
Ah mah gawwwwwd, what is the name of your local ski hill, because I WANT TO GO TO THERE!?
That is the lovely Snowbowl, http://www.montanasnowbowl.com/
Beautiful Montana winter.
Black Diamonds?!?! You go, Margot!!! Awesome pictures and post as always.
Jealous of that snow, here in Oregon with our cascade cement (which is still light years more wonderful than Wisconsin ski hills)! 🙂 Sounds like you guys manage your kids really well. My mom got taken out from behind, at the knees, by a small child skiing out of control on a blue run who clearly wasn’t skilled enough to be there. Mom was wearing a helmet, luckily, because when you’re taken out at the knees while on skis you fall straight back. Wear your helmets and be content to ski with your kids where they’re at, everybody! Safety and good snow to you all.
Ruby is going to be skiing Griz Chute before we know it 🙂 xo.
I had the biggest smile all the way through reading this…the photos are a bonus!
Love you Burb!
xoxo, Mom
I love this post – the words and photos. I too have just edged out of early childhood and sometimes I don’t know what to do with my hands! My kids were sledding this weekend and for the first time, I didn’t need to help them and they didn’t want me to – both exciting and a little nostalgic.
It’s amazing seeing all the pictures of your girls growing up on and around the ski hills. Skiing is something I always wish I could do but after a few failed tries I realized that the coordination and love of cold weather are just not there for me.
Sometimes, I feel like our brains are connected! I *just* posted about Superpowers/Skiing- not knowing you shared this awesome chronicle. What amazing pictures and memories. You are such an inspiration to many mamas to get out!
http://www.peacelovemusicgrows.com/2014/02/mtn-mama-super.html
That first picture – moody, blue winter perfection. So beautiful. I don’t ski, but my husband has been trying to get me to learn forever. I have been “hiding” behind taking care of little people instead of learning. Maybe it’s time. Thanks for the inspiration!
What awesome pictures. You have such a beautiful family. The girls are amazing! I wish I felt the same way you do about snow. I dread winter but you guys make it look like so much fun.
These pictures are amazingly beautiful and so are your words!
These photos are ridiculously gorgeous. I’m a Western Washington girl, just dreaming of snow. LOVE your pictures!
I had no clue that children that young could ski. Thanks for opening my eyes. Love the pictures. I don’t think I could go for the cold weather & to get to a ski hill in NC I’d have to drive at least 4 1/2 hours. Such a great family hobby you all have.
BadFRICKENass!
Those girls are going to be awesome skiers and they’ll have the greatest memories of skiing with their whole family.
I’d love to be hitting the slopes with my folks these days, but alas, they are not of the snow sport variety. In their defense, they did haul me up to Tahoe as a kid and put me in lessons so that I could learn. Then they “suffered” all day in the lodge sipping cocoa and chatting it up with the other ski parents.
However you do it – it’s great to get kids out on the slopes and into the trees.
I love how you all share the grace of play. Of having fun. Of making the everyday an adventure. How I adore seeing the ergo on a slope.
Your girls are developing skills and great confidence with every run. That. is. Awesome.
First, awesome photos. Gosh.
Second, thank you for sharing all the goods on adventuring with kiddos. Not just skiing, but all the things you share here. Your girls are blessed to have you and Andy for lots of reasons, but I guarantee they will look back on these years of being on skis with you guys with the fondest memories.
And last, I can’t wait for those ski lift conversations. For many, many years to come. 🙂
Hi, dig! I just live over the border from you, in BC. We are also having an epic snow year, which has brought about the decision for our family of how much energy/time/money to put into skiing. The rosy cheeks and look of pure exhilaration on my daughter’s face answered that question, quickly and easily. I’ve been forced to push myself waaaay past my comfort zone, simply because I refuse to be left behind. When she takes her first trip to the to of the mountain, I want to be there. When she feels huge pride in herself after skiing to the bottom, I want to have experienced that journey. I’ve loved looking at your photos this winter, and being gently nudged along to embrace this winter paradise I’m so lucky to live in.