sunday is ski day

Every Sunday, save one, for the past five weeks, Matthew and I have headed up to Mt. Pakenham, about a 25 minute drive from home. Matthew has been taking one-on-one ski lessons, and I have had a chance to get back on skiis for the first time in six years.

It's been a great experience seeing Matthew learn to ski - his teacher (Ann) says that she's never seen a five year old advance so quickly in just four lessons - he's already begining to bring his feet together during his turns - something that apparently doesn't happen this quickly. Ann joked that she wants to remember Matt's last name so that she can say she was his first teacher when he's on the World Cup. If Matt has his way, it will be World Cup freestyle he's into, and not the speed events I would have preferred.

At minimum, I am very happy that I'm able to share the sport of skiing with Matthew. Within the next two years, Madison will likely take lessons, so that all four of us can get out as a family, which will be a blast. Every time I take Matt to the hill I thank my Dad for giving me the opportunity to learn how to ski when I was a boy - it's great to be able to share that sort of experience.

This past Sunday, I forgot to bring along my poles, and rather than suffer the indignity of skiing without poles for an hour while Matthew had his lesson, I took advantage of the outdoor patio beer sales, and basked in some warm (-1 degree) sunshine as I waited for his hour to be up. I can think of worse ways to kill an hour. Once Matt's lesson was done, he and I took a few runs before the lifts closed for the day. Looking forward to next Sunday, and some good quality spring skiing in March.