I introduced myself to Lauchlan this morning. The Magnificent Seven were out the door shortly after 9:00 and no complaints about two riding up the gondola with “responsible adults”. Skis on at Raven’s Nest we did a couple of behind-and-below practices. I made those who didn’t execute this properly walk back up and go behind me to get in line. :) Much better skating to the beaver bench. Forming two rows we did “frog hops”. That warmed Jack up enough to not don his balaclava. Kiel took the class underneath Garbanzo and chose a safe place to stop. Most stopped behind-and-below. I reminded the kids they had to do this for whoever lead the class. Kids enjoyed playing the animal game again on the ride up the gondola to the Roundhouse. Kiel stumped with “plankton”… :)
Skis on, we navigated to Upper Whiskey Jack and did some more side slipping then I had kids “squishing bananas” in the front of their boots through turns to the Chic Pea. Taven knew we going to skate race to the top of Orange Peel. Much smoother turns after the last drill and a good pace by all to Pony Trail. Two of the team (who shall remain unnamed) had to hike up a bit to perform the proper behind-and-below stop... :( We skied non-stop on the left side of Pony Trail, looking up at the merge from Highway 86 to the road back to the gondola.
We were a bit early for our 11:15 lunch, so had our pick of tables. After three bowls of veggies; apple juice; grilled cheese (and one jam) sandwiches; apples, bananas and chewy bars I had the kids gather at the kitchen door and loudly thank the staff for making us such good lunches.
Lula’s pass was nowhere to be found boarding Creekside gondola. The liftie gave her a temporary one for the remainder of the day. I took the kids under the ropes at the Red chair to watch loading procedures. Skis on, Kiel led the pack as I threaded each child onto a chair with responsible adults. Lula had her first chairlift ride with me and Everett. Pheww! No collisions getting off the chair… and all were at the “Whistler Kids Meet Here” sign.
We regrouped at the light board and snaked our way though the crowd to the family zone. I demonstrated how to do a hockey stop, pivoting from the hips and keeping shoulders square to the fall line. Kids followed suit. Pretty good! We did a speedy run past the entrance to the Emerald Forest and practiced side slipping and hockey stops to the School Yard then navigated our way through the crowd to the WK entrance at Emerald. Good concentration feeding into the lift line and Lula was more relaxed on this ride up.
Skis on the rack at the Roundhouse, we went in for for some water, a story (Robert Munsch’s “Paper Bag Princess”) and the kids devoured my stash of Swedish Fish. Evie wanted to sit on my lap and Kiel seemed pretty bored with the story. Shall see what I can find that’s more exciting for next time.
Hopefully we’ll have more terrain next week… the same route through Upper Whiskey Jack and Orange Peel is becoming pretty ho-hum. However, there were some soft moguls and ice to challenge the kids on Orange Peel and Pony Trail. I had them looking for soft snow to turn on. Only one splat and all stopped immediately when we heard the “wipe out” shout.
We were outside the Clubhouse promptly at 2:45. Another great day! Next week’s theme is more safety review and Goal Setting. What would you like to achieve this season?