'Unta' MT - a new little NY gem on the Epic pass (if we are tracking, I think this makes Days 7&8)

Making the most of our EPIC passes with our adventure families and NY/CT reciprocity.  Packed up and headed to a cute little A-Frame walking distance to the slope at Hunter Mountain.  It FELT SO good to be packing for an overnight.  Just living with a few things, combining meals, ready for family living slope side.

The evening dish service also proved to be the evening entertainment.

The accommodations were quite snuggly if you know what I mean.  Our feedback is better separation between TV and adult hang out area.  It was a bit of a challenge to get the volume of the TV and adults in the right check.

Bitter cold temps made for needed shuttle runs!  Love these faces

The post ski snuggle - puppies and all

Rumi cube is the new favorite game

Infection being played by the kiddos throughout some tight quarters - makes for legs coming out the windows?

Blue bird day again!

Hunter had been blowing snow for several days and had a great base.  Matter of fact the trail we loved the most was currently blowing snow.  The sound was intense and you could feel it in you chest.  the snow was epic and steep.  We did it COUNTLESS times.  

Meanwhile the kids found the glades and did them over and over and over again.

https://youtu.be/MWR20-fc6rI

Part 2

https://youtu.be/8wpTNJ9o64E

Happiness is.....

A future dog walker

Another chapter for the adventure familes!

 

The Goldilocks of office space

Yup, that is me.  How can you resist a good snow storm office window location?  See the stand up (really secretary desk) in the corner?  While that might look ideal, when standing there you can't see the chickens.  How can we fit all desks and see the chickens.

Please insert massive eye roll from Chris.

 

Curiosity

Can change candle wax into a creation!

Can have an older brother teaching a younger brother.

Normally Drew would be learning an instrument in 4th grade.  COVID pressed pause to that.  With Nick playing base clarinet, our classic clarinet (played previously by Goomba, and Aunt Stosh) was available for a lesson.  Drew was eager to try it.

 

25 Years and he FINALLY treats himself to a NEW BOARD

Oh the stories this old board (1995 K2 JUJU according to Pete Brinkerhoff) could tell.  St. Anton, Colorado, Whistler, Utah, Ski Sunday - just to name a few.

He is officially starting the next chapter with a classic board.

Proud papa after lots of deliberation!

 

MLK day hike to Ski Sundown

While Nick disappeared to Ski Sundown for the day with his buddies, the little stayed home and opted for a hike to ski sundown.  Rather different landscape - but felt good to the exploring parents.  Something about the clean cold air that can change the perspective of a day.

I remember playing the alphabet game - we made it to Z!

 

MT Snow on the Epic Day 6 adventure family

Somehow we encountered a long lift line.

And I will continue to find it amusing what girls do differently while in line.  Go Sarah!

And what boys do while waiting to re-join the crew

https://youtu.be/t9Sx_kGOTyc

 

Coin Collectors for a day

Gloves on and the kit out - these boys were coin collectors for the day.  My Uncle Mick has a passion for this and was excited to share it.

 

MT Snow again - Epic Pass day 5

Another Blue Bird day at MT. Snow - Loving the lack of sports schedules that allow for this awesomeness.

Everything is bright and well covered

I believe we may have had a bit of a slow start, traversing the mountain, losing a glove (temporarily) and finding our way again.  Somehow we managed to catch the golden chair!  Its looking up for this adventure family!

It was such a blue bird day we had to enjoy some cocktails on the deck.  Meanwhile the kids were QUITE entertained.  they were riding the mini lift and rocking the jumps.  They said the tunnel was just too hot, so they were lugging their stuff up the hill.

https://youtu.be/8xwwNc4QwIA

Here is another one of jumps on the slopes

https://youtu.be/DCDWxAs40jM

 

Friday night skiing

Friday night on the slopes and ITS THE PLACE TO BE in our area.  The cars where lines up to come in.  We told the boys we were skiing together as a family.  

Honestly there was a part in that conversation where they were horrified.  

Nick had a group of buddies he has been skiing with (nightly)  

Shane finally orchestrated his group of friends for that night (to include a burger dinner) and Drew even had a buddy to link up with.  

We had successfully raised 3 independent skiers - congrats Mom and Dad.  Sorry mom if you are a little nostalgic about it all.

Therefore Chris and I brought the fire pit and tailgating elements.  We weren't 100% comfortable with Drew's independence, so we needed to keep up with him a bit.  After a little tailgating I went off to find him.  Not having a friend or kiddo to ride the lifts meant each time I came through the mass of folks in line, I ended up riding the lift solo (COVID times makes for even more awkward ski lift meeting)

I went up the lift scanning for Drew (or Shane and Nick) each time.  I found Nick once, he kindly said Hi and went off to his friends.  I found Shane and he did something similar (less cheery).  I rode the lift another solo time.  I have to admit, with all the Friday groups and social feels, riding solo was getting me kinda down.  I scanned the slope again, no Drew.  I took my skis off and decided I was done riding the lift solo.  

Who do I see at that exact moment?  My little Red and black turtle (I have often referred to my learning skiers as turtles as honestly they do look like baby turtles)  It brings tears to my eyes now at how excited we BOTH were to see each other.  I told him how I rode the lift solo a few times and it made me sad.  He told me he rode the lift solo 5 times!  (Geesh, what's my problem - this resilient kiddo is teaching ME a lesson)  He than proceeded to talk my ear off of all his adventures, jumps, trails and successes on the mountain.  We rocked a few more runs together before they closed down the lifts for the night.  I just wanted to remember how happy the both of us were to see each other than night.

 

After school Snowman making

There are days that I am reminded of Drew's young spirit and enjoyment of these childhood things.

We have built COUNTLESS snow men and while there are times I think we have moved on, Drew brings us right back to exactly where we should be.

And he even gets his brother to happily join in.

I loved seeing this creation live on for several days greeting the cars as they drove by.

 

Our little Skittles

Something about these 3 bright jackets just makes me giggle.  Chris lines these boys up like this often, Hear no evil, see no evil and say no evil.  Guess its about right??

 

Epic Pass day 4 back at MT Snow with our adventure families

Can you see all the jumpers?!!?

https://youtu.be/DCDWxAs40jM

 

The Great skate

New Years Day and while we don't have big plans for today - it would be fun to find an ice rink, get the legs used to something different.  Enjoy another winter sport.   

I made a quick post on social media.  What are folks recommendations?  Local ponds?  Simsbury farms does reservations for blocks of time (I clearly have no fore thought) When you make a post on social media looking for tips on the best skating rink around and a buddy you haven't connecting in a while reaches out and offers her back yard.

You are kind of blown away with how impressive this is, rink, connection and timing of it all.

https://youtu.be/wtFmMXQD_KI

The boys were a bit tentative - heck its their first time, the skates aren't perfect.  We abled around a bit.  Than the Legers came home from skiing and upped the anti a bit.  They are BIG TIME hockey players.  It was fun to observe my boys watch for a bit as they aggressively took over the ice.  Than they got right in there.  Liz brought Shane a better pair of skates, Drew wasn't a push over and Nick proved to be already rather nimble (big surprise I know!)