Spring Skiing in Lutsen

This past weekend, we made a break for spring skiing at Lutsen Mountain on the North Shore of Lake Superior.  There was decidedly less snow this year than last year, but still plenty of snow on the ski hills.  With one day of snow, one day of warm sun and one day of freezing temps, we got a little taste of everything.

Fortunately for our whole family, we were able to convince Nana, MoMo and Papa to come with us for the second year in a row.

As far as I am concerned, there are several keys to ensuring a successful ski weekend with four kids under eight.  First of all, enlist all possible grandparents.  Second of all, set low expectations.  The Bunny Hill may be too good for us.  Third, plan to never leave the Bunny Hill.  Fourth, pack an enticing picnic lunch with treats like mini gatorades and applesauce pouches.  Fifth, enlist all possible grandparents.

This was only our second adventure skiing at Lutsen.  One will notice from all the pictures that we all decided to go with helmets this year, since preserving gray matter is all the rage on the slopes these days.  I must say that helmets are a great way to take the edge off of watching your kids ski.   I found my helmet to be comfortable and cozy, but terribly orbital.

When we left Lutsen last year, G-Bear was just learning to turn and stop on the Bunny Hill.  E-Bear was upright but out of control on the Bunny Hill, and Buddy Bear was barely upright.  What a difference a year makes!

The skiing crew (with J-Bear)

This year, J-Bear sat out the skiing in favor of playing in the snow, snagging afternoon naps with Nana and going for gondola rides with Mom.  

G-Bear was in control of the Bunny Hill (turning, snowplowing and stopping) and ready for the ski lift by the end of our first day.  By the end of the trip, G-Bear was skiing blue runs all by herself!  Awesome!

E-Bear was in control of the Bunny Hill by the end of his second day, and after a brief ski school lesson with G-Bear, he was ready to try the Big Bunny green hill by himself.  E-Bear was truly persistent, and his efforts paid off.  He made it down the green Big Bunny without any help.

Buddy Bear was riding the Magic Capet lift to the top of the Bunny Hill by himself the first day, and by our last day we had him laced into a ski harness and he was skiing down the Big Bunny green hill with T holding onto the reigns.  Buddy Bear's progress was amazing, and he was so excited to be "skiing by himself" in the harness.  Next year, he'll be old enough for ski school, and we can't wait to see how much he improves.

MoMo and G-Bear on the lift.

Truly, we were ecstatic to make it off the Flapjack bunny hill.  By our second day, all the kids were riding the lifts with an adult, while Nana or I cheered at the bottom of the slopes with J-Bear.  One afternoon, T and I even got to take G-Bear for a ski by herself.  We skied nothing but blue hills that afternoon, and G-Bear declared them her favorite runs.  Papa warned us that next year several of our kids may leave T and me in their dust.

On Mystery Mountain with G-Bear

MoMo and Papa are super skiers in their own right, and it was a special moment for them to get to ski with their grandkids.  I am so grateful that they taught me to ski when I was little, doubly grateful that they are willing to help my own kids learn the same sport.  As T and I also took G-Bear down the blue runs, we also experienced the uncomfortable feeling of watching one of our kids do something for the first time that we couldn't protect them from.  I'll say it again, thank goodness for those helmets!

After a long day of skiing, there were still plenty of treats in store.  We would catch the shuttle back to our townhouse,

 soak for a while in the swimming pool or hot tub at the Lodge,

 and then head down to the beach to explore, 

hunt for treasures, 

and throw rocks into the lake.

We also had time for a few gorgeous early morning sunrises, s'mores by a starlight bonfire, a dinner out at the Lodge, family board games, a viewing of the Sound of Music (the kids LOVED it), and a Saturday Vigil Mass in Grand Marais.

Thanks, once again, to Nana, MoMo and Papa, for making the trip so special, and to our all-star skiers, who didn't quit when the going got tough.   Until next year, Lutsen!

Sunrise with T over Lake Superior.

 Happily Ever,
Queen B

Skiing in Lutsen

We did it!  

What a blessing!

We went skiing for the first time with our whole crew.

We had a wonderful time.

 Papa has been dreaming of skiing with his grandkids for years now.  

We couldn't pass up the chance to get away with willing grandparents for a brief Lutsen ski weekend.

Even Nana traveled up to join us!  

She hadn't skied in years, but she impressed us all with her adventurous spirit.

She unanimously earned the "Super Duper Trooper Award." 

So, just how did we make it happen with so many little ones?

Thank goodness for the bunny hill. 

"Flapjack" was the perfect height for our crew, complete with a "Magic Carpet."

Buddy Bear and I riding the "Magic Carpet" to the top of the hill.

After a few parental tutorials on the hill, G-Bear and E-Bear took a ski school lesson for a few hours.

They quickly learned how to take their own skis on and off,

how to get on the Magic Carpet alone,

and how to make a "pizza slice" with their skis.

We were impressed!

T and E-Bear at the top of "Flapjack"

Buddy Bear learned how to ride his skis down the hill between our legs.

He loved it!

Nana was on hand to help little J-Bear, who seemed too little for skis this time around.

MoMo impressed us all.  Check out that knee bend! 

You would never guess this woman has had 2 knee surgeries in the past year!

She shredded the slopes like her youthful self.

 And don't forget the best. Dad. Ever. 

T took charge of bunny hill duties one afternoon so that I could ski off with Papa.

Later, MoMo and Papa offered to take the kids for hot chocolate treats in the chalet so that T and I could ski a bit by ourselves. 

I felt like I was in heaven at the top of the glorious hills, overlooking Lake Superior, 

skiing with my love.  

Before our lift tickets expired, we rode the Gondola as a family, 

took the kids on several tours up the chairlifts, skied down with them between our legs, and made countless trips up and down Flapjack.  G-Bear even learned to turn both ways on her skis.

Our leg muscles were burning.  Our hearts were pumping.

But the smiles, laughter, and moments of triumph were worth it.

I think I even saw Papa get misty-eyed at one point, when we realized he was skiing again with both MoMo and his grandkids.  We experienced many blessings that we never thought we would see.

Lutsen, we hope we'll be back!  Thanks be to God for a wonderful ski trip.

Getaway to Lutsen

This week was spring break.   

We escaped to the North Shore, where it doesn't look much like spring.

Even so, we fell in love with a place called Lutsen.

A pioneering spirit is alive and well here.  

Lutsen Resort is a world away from the hustle of everyday life.  

 It was just what we needed. 

My parents vacationed at the resort years ago, and rumor has it that I even made it up here a time or two as a child.  

While the resort's rich, rustic charm is perfect for adults, it is wonderfully family friendly.   Our kids were in (wintery) heaven.

While we were in Lutsen, we played in the sunshine and snow with MoMo, Papa and Nana.

We played games and ate dinner together in our rental condo.

We snuggled and giggled in front of the fire.

We read our Jesus stories and our daily prayers.  MoMo spoiled us with morning mochas.

We soaked in bubble baths,

and sun baths.

We swam in the pool and played checkers in the Lodge, which is full of character and ambiance.

We went on walks by the water, admiring the ice, snow and gorgeous North Shore scenery.

 And each morning, after breakfast, we boarded the shuttle bus to head up the mountain

and ski.

 I can't believe I am saying this: 

we were hooked.