年底时候，好友一家邀请我们一起去滑雪，爱玩爱滑雪的我们立刻举双手双脚答应了。我家小朋友分别是五岁半，八岁，正是学滑雪的理想年纪。
我和老公都很喜欢，很喜欢滑雪！多年前初次体验滑雪，出尽了各种跌摸滚打，连滚带爬的洋相，至今一想起当年的狼狈菜鸟模样还忍不住哈哈大笑。但滑雪就是这么奇妙，当你终于学会轻松控制雪橇，那一路风驰电掣御风而下的快意，让人亢奋，让人上瘾。
不过上次去滑雪已经是快十年前的老黄历，eons ago。那次刚定了滑雪假期，才发现自己要做妈妈了，为了肚子里的小宝贝，全程小心翼翼，绑手绑脚的，只敢滑绿道，顶多蓝绿道。最后一次冒险选了蓝道，看看山势之陡峭，想想肚子里的贝贝，只有灰溜溜地坐snowmobile溜下来了，现在想起来还觉得好糗！
Colorado滑雪场地又多又棒，为了选滑雪场，着实让我们四个家长头痛了几天。Breckenridge 和 Keystone因为去过多次，首先被踢出局。Aspen和Steamboat Springs离Denver太远，也被砍掉。Vail虽好，可惜不适合小朋友初学者。最后锁定的是Copper Mountain，离Denver只有一个多小时，很小，有特别棒的小朋友滑雪学校，还有给雪板爱好者教授技巧的室内练习场，就是它了！
我们家小朋友的学校每年二月的第一个礼拜放假，正是出门玩的好机会。第一天下午从Austin直飞到Denver。一出机场，看到天地间白茫茫一片，小朋友已经欢呼不已，兴奋得摩拳擦掌非要在雪地里翻个跟斗才罢休。在车行提取了一部mini van，先去costco买办粮草，然后就进山了。
到了Copper Mountain，天色已暗，雪花翻飞，气温只有个位数，把我们这些南方佬冻得嗷嗷叫，“花钱买罪受啊！明年去夏威夷了！”
好友在vrbo上租了一间ski in, ski out的condo，就在Copper Mountain滑雪学校旁边，走路几分钟就到。超方便，超值得。我一般对于住宿的要求不高，只要干净整洁就好。但是滑雪假期大家有共识要尽量住得好－－毕竟滑雪之外，在小镇里几乎无处可去，在公寓的时间相对就很多。这间公寓很漂亮很舒服，令我们全程都很享受，真的很感恩能够住在这里。
当天晚上好友先生嚷嚷头痛，是第一个有高原反应的。
第二天早上贝贝也被高原反应击中，脸色很不好，嚷着头晕。勉强吃过早餐，又花了一肚子力气，全副武装把所有滑雪衣物披挂上阵，到滑雪学校报到。不幸，还没迈出滑雪学校的大门，小妞儿就脸色发白，直接吐了。做妈的心疼坏了！立刻打道回府，带她去热水池泡泡。老公一个人领着弟弟去滑雪学校上课。
这一天虽然没能按原计划进行，但既来之则安之。泡完热水，小妮子又活蹦乱跳，画图，读书，和妈妈玩游戏，帮妈妈煮饭，兴高采烈。傍晚大队人马回师，一桌子热腾腾的美味佳肴已经等着他们，看大家吃得分外香甜，听他们分享一天的成果，特别是我家弟弟第一天滑雪就旗开得胜，已经从小兔兔坡儿毕业上了绿道，心里又骄傲又甜蜜。不过听老公说，好友六岁的儿子就惨了，一遍遍上去一遍遍摔跤，而且都摔了个四脚朝天，后来干脆罢工，在雪道上装作脚扭到，不肯下山，最后由老公和好友老公两个扛回来的。
壁炉里的火苗跳得正旺，窗外雪花漫天飞舞，似乎是一袭洁白的面纱，把天地都轻柔地包围起来。小朋友在客厅玩大富翁，我们慢慢喝茶聊天，好一个温馨舒适的雪夜。
隔天的早晨，冷冽的空气中，大队人马再度出击。每个人都裹得严严实实如一颗颗大粽子。到了滑雪学校，换上沉重的滑雪靴，笨重的一如企鹅，样子更滑稽了。小朋友开始跟私人教练上兔兔坡。教练教他们前行就是薯条，减速就是pizza，然后小朋友像小鸡跟着母鸡似的紧跟着他从坡上滑下来，一遍遍练习。几次以后，教练就带他们上绿道了。
Copper这里的雪道宽大。大概因为二月份非旺季，雪道上完全没有人。而且雪质超赞，脚下的雪感从早到晚都非常好。
下午我们全家四口已经一起上绿道滑雪了。带小朋友滑雪，自然是比较累人－－要给他们扛沉重的滑雪用具，要帮他们装雪橇，上下缆车，只能挑最容易最没有挑战性的雪道，我和老公还要一前一后夹住两个小朋友，哪有什么驰骋的自由，呼啸的快意。只能用最保守的滑雪姿态，慢吞吞的降落。爱啰嗦的妈妈压队在最后，眼看弟弟滑行，一边忍不住指点，“薯条！薯条！Pizza! Pizza!”
这三天一次次的练习，虽然偶尔也人仰马翻，但小朋友真的让我们大大惊喜，脚下的pizza越来越小，他们也驰骋得越来越快，越来越顺。终于志得意满到那几条雪道都不够挑战，我们又一起探索了其他一些雪道。虽然没能像单身时候享受自山巅呼啸俯冲，那种如展翅飞翔的自由，我却从头到尾都忍不住心内满满的骄傲和快乐－－能够和所爱的人一起经历在群山之间穿梭，看可爱的孩子们精进技巧，挑战更难的山道，比独自享受御风而行的乐趣竟然是多了这么倍。。。一路上数算着，冥想着幸福，这是一次最快乐的滑雪旅行！
回家。 Becca and Lucas both said, "The best part our trip is skiing. The worst part is having to come home."
This is our first ski trip with kids, and we had LOADS of fun! The last time Will and I went skiing, I was 3-month pregnant with Becca. Boy, it's been so long I'd forgotten how much fun skiing is. But skiing with kids is even more fun. There's nothing better than skiing together, laughing together, and watching them learn and truly enjoy the sports, overcoming the little challenges and growing more confident. I grinned ear to ear going behind them each time, yelling "pizza" and "french fries" from time to time. My heart was filled with pride and joy.
On those long chairlifts, both Becca and Lucas were awed by the majestic surroundings, "Mommy, it's so beautiful. God created the trees, God created the snow, God created the mountains..." You can't help but praise God for His creations.
Going skiing with friends double, triple the fun. The T's are fun and easy-going, flexible and considerate, just the perfect travel companions. After a day of skiing, relaxing in our beautiful condo together, the kids happily playing together, and us adults having quality time and meaningful conversations -- priceless. Our love and appreciation for this couple only grows as we get to know them better and better.
Now some tips:
1. Travel with friends! Not only is it more fun, you also save a lot by sharing the cost of lodging and car rental.
2. Having a ski-in, ski-out condo is awesome. Kids need breaks, and it's so convenient to take lunch breaks and get some much-needed rest.
3. Stop by costco and safeway in Denver before going into the mountain. We spent less than $200 on food for two families for 5 days.
4. It's a good idea to spend the first night in Denver to get acclimated to the altitude. We didn't, and Becca threw up on our first ski day.
5. Get out of the mountains early on your last day. We were hit by blizzard and traffic was at a standstill on the way to the airport. The two cups of coffee I had earlier that morning made me get out of the car -- yes, it was the most humiliating experience of my life. I don't think my kids will ever forget that ride.
6. Buy some 2-for-1 lift tickets coupons on-line. Also, pre-booking online save your rental by 20%.
7. Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves.
去Denver的飞机上，五岁半的弟弟还在吸拇指
儿童劳工每天一早就要上工
从没有见过这么多雪
Copper的兔兔坡
上课了
裹得像粽子的弟弟
贝贝的英姿
认不出人的全家福
老牛拉车啦，看这二十四孝老爸
累瘫了！累到东倒西歪。
缆车上
在院子里玩雪
打雪战啦！
贝贝灿烂笑容
有点羞涩，很多甜蜜
每晚的故事时间多么温馨
滑雪真是最适合一家人的假期。期待下一次！
