SkiChicken.com

First off, a snow storm is coming to Colorado! It’s been a pretty bleak year for snow in Colorado. It sounds like we might get an actual snowstorm this week though! I was going to take my kids skiing at Loveland again today, but decided instead to take them to an indoor playground. My conversation with Loveland ski school reservations was brief but informative: There was already a waiting list for the 4-5 year old ski school today. We almost didn’t get in last time, so I thought we’d just push the “easy button” for the day. This afternoon, we’ll get their season ski rentals at Larson ski and sport. They have excellent prices on season rentals:
Kid’s Pkg
(5 yrs. and under) $69.95
Standard Kid’s Package $99.95

I think having their season’s skis will help keep them excited for next time – hopefully next weekend!!

I just took my kids to the Kids Ski School at Loveland Valley. Kids are supposed to have reservations. I called the number and only could get voicemail: I don’t know if it’s a different extension than the 170 “general mailbox”, but that’s what I called into. From the road.On the way up.At a stoplight. Yeah, I’m lame.

Ideally, you should make reservations days before. Ideally, have your kids up at at 8am (9am at the latest, but there I go pushing it again). Despite being late, they took us in and got the kids suited up. I always feel like the ski resort staff and instructors are wiling to go the extra effort, and they sure make the kids comfortable.

The all-day lessons are a hundred dollars a kid, but that includes rental and ticket. I’ve been saving up my money and enthusiasm for years, and had to take the kids!

They really know their stuff at loveland, too: At the rental shop, they put the boots onto the kids for a perfect fit. That’s rare. My smallest son marveled at how the boots made him feel like he was walking on the moon. My oldest son did a great job at staying excited through the process of signup and rental. One tip for parents: Most kids can’t walk fast at all in ski boots. So don’t take off suddenly like I did!

This is the first of a lifetime of ski trips together, and I have looked forward greatly to this day. They are actually on the mountain now as I write this, an I’s better get back out to do my own skiing. 🙂

Ski Conditions / Loveland Valley / Eisenhower Tunnel
It’s blustery and cold up here, but such a wonderful day. We’ve got enough snow to “suffer through”, and the roads are passable.

If you are active military – and aren’t currently reading this from Afghanistan, Iraq, or some other place devoid of snow… you may get a sweet deal over at Keystone:

From onthesnow.com:

Keystone’s Liberty Pass gives break to military personnel.

is offering a special season pass for active U.S. military personnel and their family members (including Reserve and National Guard, and also active duty foreign military members in Colorado) for the seventh consecutive year. The pass offers unlimited skiing and snowboarding during the 2008-09 season. The Liberty Pass is $189 for adults, $109 for children and provides unlimited skiing and riding at Keystone and Arapahoe Basin from the date of purchase through Keystone’s closing date (April 2009). All military must present their military-issued identification cards for their pass and for their immediate family member passes.