Walking (and skiing) in a winter wonderland

The gift of a winter wonderland

I’m not a big fan of being cold. But, if I have to be cold, I want to be out in the snow having fun. That makes it worthwhile.

This year, my husband and I decided to give a family gift of ski passes for all. And, to make it worthwhile, we try to go as often as allowed (once a week for our passes). We don’t always succeed, but when we do, we have a wonderful time.

It turns out, this gift for our family was indeed a “family” gift. We are all loving it and, I believe it’s bringing us closer together.

It’s also been fantastic watching my children learn and get better at a sport they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, we are outside getting fresh air, enjoying this season which otherwise mostly leaves us inside by the TV. And we’re doing it together, for the most part. In some cases, the kids are off to the races with each other, which is okay too.

However, because they are so comfortable skiing now, the kids are learning independence. We bring walkie-talkies, but for the most part the kids go on runs without us, happily, for hours. They bring friends who can ski and it’s become a social exercise. Isn’t that fantastic?

But I can’t deny that skiing is expensive, espeically with a family our size. Forget the season passes, which have now paid for themselves. It can cost an arm and a leg to feed this family at the lodge. Gratefully where we ski, they give you the option to bring your own coolers, crockpots – even tablecloths! I’ve seen groups of couples enjoying champagne, wine and cheese in the lodge by the fire. Fabulous.

We consider it an indoor tailgate. We pack our car full of tasty treats and grab a table for our base camp. Recently, I put a pork shoulder in the oven overnight (smelled so good it was hard to sleep). When I got up, I shredded it, added some barbeque sauce and threw it into a crock pot (to keep warm during the day). Some slices of cheese (or not), cole slaw (or not) and buns and our family pigged out on pulled pork sandwiches. Delicious (recipe below with a nod to Paula Deen and Tyler Florence – I used pieces of their brainpower and creativity to create my recipe).

Add to that some recently baked cookies, chips and a cooler full of drinks and you have created an entire day that could have been an expensive day of eating and drinking at the lodge into something economical and soooo delicious.

I will never regret the decision to buy the passes. It’s been a gift that’s kept giving. In a season of cold hands, it’s warmed our hearts and souls to be together in this satisfying way.