Ski Bunnies!

I am really enjoying the fact that we have ski bunnies and can begin to start thinking of skiing as a family next year. 

Katie just finished her second ski course with TSV Oberhaching (our local sports club) and yesterday I went down to watch her and have a ski with Alex.  We haven't really done much with Alex so far as the weather has not been great as either too cold or too much snow.  But he was really excited to ski yesterday and he wanted to ski with me and come on the T-bar lift (you can drink tea on the T-bar… according to the boy!)  So we dropped Katie at the bus and then Alex and I headed down and caught up with the bus just before we arrived.  It was actually really nice as I think most of the ski courses have finished and it wasn't too busy.  Last time we went you couldn't move for kindergarten ski courses!

Anyway, Alex was keen as mustard so we let Katie get on with her ski group and we went and had a go on the carpet lift.  I have totally underestimated the boy!  He has been quietly watching and quietly getting keen and for a two and a half year old he is really very good.  He has great balance and can move easily on the snow, get on and off the lift. I was astounded!  He did as I said and put his hands on his knees, bent forward and kind of skiied!  I mean I had to catch him as he hasn't mastered stopping yet obviously but his legs are strong. 

Well this is fun!

I can ski!

And stop!

I think compared to Katie at the same age he is much better and easier and has far more stamina.  Katie was so keen to ski but her legs were not as strong and she got frustrated too easily as she wanted to be able to do it too early.  And she doesn't listen to what she is told to do and says "I know" all the time.  (Hmmm, think I know someone else who was like that…)  My poor parents! 

Alex is totally different and I expected him to not want to do it and it all to be a bit slippery or something but he has his head in the right place and not once was there a whinge or moan or anything to make me wonder why the heck I was doing this. 

He really wanted to come on the T-bar with me so after a few runs on the carpet lift I took him up and he was great. I remember Katie getting really tired legs the first time she did the T-bar lift.  We skiied down together and when we stopped I was just chivied along "Come on let's ski!" 

We saw Katie and watched her do her slalom race and then the medal prize giving.  Alex just wants a medal and was so upset when he didn't get one.  Katie was very kind and let him wear hers.

And Katie really is a very relaxed and confident skier.  I envy her.  She will be good if she carries on like this.

Ski race at the end of her course.

And through the bumpy tunnels

Hi mum!

Monkey!

Certificate, medal and Schlepplift-Führerschein

That was yesterday.   And a week ago I registered her online to do a ski race at another small place near Tegernsee where TSV Oberhaching were doing a big race day.  Of course yesterday I was wondering if this was a good idea as she might be tired but she was keen to do it.  But this morning, she really didn't want to go as she was tired.  We went anyway and said we would just all have a ski.  For the first time, the whole Powell family went on a lift and skiied together!  Only for a short time as Katie wanted to go on the T-bar lift and go to the top.  She still wouldn't be persuaded to go in the race and I said ok we would just ski down but, silly wotsit decided, just as we got the to entry point of the race that she wanted to do it.  So there I am rushing down to find someone official and find that she is number 14 but we haven't paid or got her vest. No matter, join in the queue.  We were only just in time.  But she was stood at the top and I thought, flip there is no way I would have been brave enough to do something like that so young.  She is a star.  I watched her start and then ran back up to get my skis and whizzed down to find her at the bottom stuffing a chocolate coated marshmallow, having already chosen a big bag of gummy bears as a prize and then she threw ski socks at tin cans!  I managed to pay and then we traipsed off to find Matt and Alex who missed the whole thing as they were in the ski kinderland.  We found them and Katie and Alex stuffed gummy bears before doing more skiing.

At the start gate minus number

And she's off!

Alex in the kinderland

jumping

wanting to do it alone!

Eating gummy bears

 Then we went on the snow tubing which was really fun, before coming home. 

Note Matty's new colour coordinated ski boots he bought yesterday

A great morning's fun in the snow and all for €29 family ski tickets for the morning (oh and €10 for the race).  Not many more chances this year as it's warming up this week.  But next year we'll be really off! I'm so pleased our kinders both love the snow and skiing.