Skiing in Taos, New Mexico

Two weeks ago we planned a ski trip with Dan & Heather with the idea of putting Kaden & Danni in ski school for the first time and our families making a weekend in Taos, New Mexico.  Unfortunately, the weather wasn't aware of our plans and there was a blizzard on top of the mountain. As hard as it was, we made the logigal "adult" decision to postpone our trip for two weeks and try again. 

 

So on Friday morning our bags were packed (with Schatzi & Owen packed for a weekend at Nonnie & Papa's), the car was loaded with books, music, snacks & pre-schooler entertainment, and we were ready to hit the open road...  When suddenly I got a panicked call from Heather around 9:45, literally minutes before we were all set to walk out the door. 

Danni was running a fever for 101°F...
So we had to make another agonizing decision... To go, or not to go...
It almost seemed as if we weren't supposed to go.
 

I think Heather & I silently shed a few tears during our phone conversation but we (the Dows) decided to go ahead & go.  After all, we had been talking to Kaden about it for weeks and Ben & I hadn't been skiing for the past two years.
And it was a good thing they stayed behind because Danni ended up having strep throat!

 

Scenery from the car... from my phone... so you can imagine what it really looked like!

 

The first thing we did after arriving in town was drive up the mountain to rent our books & skis and get Kaden enrolled in ski school. 

 

It was snowing like crazy up there-- big, fat, beautiful flakes that clung to Kaden's long lashes.

 

 We went out to dinner at Taos Pizza Out Back...
One of the BEST hole-in-the-wall restaurants in town (maybe even the best, period)!

YUM!

 

We were a little nervous for Kaden- going to ski school for the day without Danni or us. 
He was a little concerned at first, but once we were outside in the snow, he seemed to forget about being worried.

 

The previous night it snowed 6" and we got to ski in the best conditions we've ever experienced!  Fresh powder everywhere!  No wind.  Breathtakingly beautiful scenery in every direction.

 

 

 

 Ben coming down

Kaden had a good day at ski school.  We spied on some of the 3-year-olds as they worked on "the zipper" which looked like a walkalator that led up to a slight incline that lasted maybe 20 yards...

The kids stood & rode it to the top and then practiced (staying upright) skiing straight, snowplowing/stopping, and making slight turns.

We were able to talk to the instructor at the end of the day and he told us that Kaden was athletic and did well getting the hang of it. 

 

Yes, we were all sad that the Richards couldn't come along this weekend, but we are so glad that we still decided to come and ski on our own.  Kaden got to learn a new skill AND Ben & I got to spend the day skiing together.

This is definitely something I'd like to take the boys to do every year.

 

Owen ended up having a great weekend with Nonnie & Papa (his FIRST overnighter and time away from us), sleeping through the nights and content throughout.