年底時候，好友一家邀請我們一起去滑雪，愛玩愛滑雪的我們立刻舉雙手雙腳答應了。我家小朋友分別是五歲半，八歲，正是學滑雪的理想年紀。
我和老公都很喜歡，很喜歡滑雪！多年前初次體驗滑雪，出盡了各種跌摸滾打，連滾帶爬的洋相，至今一想起當年的狼狽菜鳥模樣還忍不住哈哈大笑。但滑雪就是這麽奇妙，當你終於學會輕鬆控製雪橇，那一路風馳電掣禦風而下的快意，讓人亢奮，讓人上癮。
不過上次去滑雪已經是快十年前的老黃曆，eons ago。那次剛定了滑雪假期，才發現自己要做媽媽了，為了肚子裏的小寶貝，全程小心翼翼，綁手綁腳的，隻敢滑綠道，頂多藍綠道。最後一次冒險選了藍道，看看山勢之陡峭，想想肚子裏的貝貝，隻有灰溜溜地坐snowmobile溜下來了，現在想起來還覺得好糗！
Colorado滑雪場地又多又棒，為了選滑雪場，著實讓我們四個家長頭痛了幾天。Breckenridge 和 Keystone因為去過多次，首先被踢出局。Aspen和Steamboat Springs離Denver太遠，也被砍掉。Vail雖好，可惜不適合小朋友初學者。最後鎖定的是Copper Mountain，離Denver隻有一個多小時，很小，有特別棒的小朋友滑雪學校，還有給雪板愛好者教授技巧的室內練習場，就是它了！
我們家小朋友的學校每年二月的第一個禮拜放假，正是出門玩的好機會。第一天下午從Austin直飛到Denver。一出機場，看到天地間白茫茫一片，小朋友已經歡呼不已，興奮得摩拳擦掌非要在雪地裏翻個跟鬥才罷休。在車行提取了一部mini van，先去costco買辦糧草，然後就進山了。
到了Copper Mountain，天色已暗，雪花翻飛，氣溫隻有個位數，把我們這些南方佬凍得嗷嗷叫，“花錢買罪受啊！明年去夏威夷了！”
好友在vrbo上租了一間ski in, ski out的condo，就在Copper Mountain滑雪學校旁邊，走路幾分鍾就到。超方便，超值得。我一般對於住宿的要求不高，隻要幹淨整潔就好。但是滑雪假期大家有共識要盡量住得好－－畢竟滑雪之外，在小鎮裏幾乎無處可去，在公寓的時間相對就很多。這間公寓很漂亮很舒服，令我們全程都很享受，真的很感恩能夠住在這裏。
當天晚上好友先生嚷嚷頭痛，是第一個有高原反應的。
第二天早上貝貝也被高原反應擊中，臉色很不好，嚷著頭暈。勉強吃過早餐，又花了一肚子力氣，全副武裝把所有滑雪衣物披掛上陣，到滑雪學校報到。不幸，還沒邁出滑雪學校的大門，小妞兒就臉色發白，直接吐了。做媽的心疼壞了！立刻打道回府，帶她去熱水池泡泡。老公一個人領著弟弟去滑雪學校上課。
這一天雖然沒能按原計劃進行，但既來之則安之。泡完熱水，小妮子又活蹦亂跳，畫圖，讀書，和媽媽玩遊戲，幫媽媽煮飯，興高采烈。傍晚大隊人馬回師，一桌子熱騰騰的美味佳肴已經等著他們，看大家吃得分外香甜，聽他們分享一天的成果，特別是我家弟弟第一天滑雪就旗開得勝，已經從小兔兔坡兒畢業上了綠道，心裏又驕傲又甜蜜。不過聽老公說，好友六歲的兒子就慘了，一遍遍上去一遍遍摔跤，而且都摔了個四腳朝天，後來幹脆罷工，在雪道上裝作腳扭到，不肯下山，最後由老公和好友老公兩個扛回來的。
壁爐裏的火苗跳得正旺，窗外雪花漫天飛舞，似乎是一襲潔白的麵紗，把天地都輕柔地包圍起來。小朋友在客廳玩大富翁，我們慢慢喝茶聊天，好一個溫馨舒適的雪夜。
隔天的早晨，冷冽的空氣中，大隊人馬再度出擊。每個人都裹得嚴嚴實實如一顆顆大粽子。到了滑雪學校，換上沉重的滑雪靴，笨重的一如企鵝，樣子更滑稽了。小朋友開始跟私人教練上兔兔坡。教練教他們前行就是薯條，減速就是pizza，然後小朋友像小雞跟著母雞似的緊跟著他從坡上滑下來，一遍遍練習。幾次以後，教練就帶他們上綠道了。
Copper這裏的雪道寬大。大概因為二月份非旺季，雪道上完全沒有人。而且雪質超讚，腳下的雪感從早到晚都非常好。
下午我們全家四口已經一起上綠道滑雪了。帶小朋友滑雪，自然是比較累人－－要給他們扛沉重的滑雪用具，要幫他們裝雪橇，上下纜車，隻能挑最容易最沒有挑戰性的雪道，我和老公還要一前一後夾住兩個小朋友，哪有什麽馳騁的自由，呼嘯的快意。隻能用最保守的滑雪姿態，慢吞吞的降落。愛囉嗦的媽媽壓隊在最後，眼看弟弟滑行，一邊忍不住指點，“薯條！薯條！Pizza! Pizza!”
這三天一次次的練習，雖然偶爾也人仰馬翻，但小朋友真的讓我們大大驚喜，腳下的pizza越來越小，他們也馳騁得越來越快，越來越順。終於誌得意滿到那幾條雪道都不夠挑戰，我們又一起探索了其他一些雪道。雖然沒能像單身時候享受自山巔呼嘯俯衝，那種如展翅飛翔的自由，我卻從頭到尾都忍不住心內滿滿的驕傲和快樂－－能夠和所愛的人一起經曆在群山之間穿梭，看可愛的孩子們精進技巧，挑戰更難的山道，比獨自享受禦風而行的樂趣竟然是多了這麽倍。。。一路上數算著，冥想著幸福，這是一次最快樂的滑雪旅行！
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的飛機上，五歲半的弟弟還在吸拇指
兒童勞工每天一早就要上工
從沒有見過這麽多雪
Copper的兔兔坡
上課了
裹得像粽子的弟弟
貝貝的英姿
認不出人的全家福
老牛拉車啦，看這二十四孝老爸
累癱了！累到東倒西歪。
纜車上
在院子裏玩雪
打雪戰啦！
貝貝燦爛笑容
有點羞澀，很多甜蜜
每晚的故事時間多麽溫馨
滑雪真是最適合一家人的假期。期待下一次！
