family skiing Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Ski Clothing for the Coldest Conditions

Paula — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:31:46 +0000

Consider this a Get Ready With Me kind of post for those days when you want to get outdoors but need to brave the -20°C temperatures. You know, polar vortex kind of weather? So what’s the best ski clothing for the coldest conditions. Post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases made via qualifying links. To be clear, this is a women’s clothing post. I wear women’s ski clothing. If you are a man or a youth, several of these tips still apply but you probably need to modify the brand names of the clothing to suit men’s sizing or youth sizes. When the temperature drops to -20°C, skiing shifts from a casual hobby to a serious game of temperature management. As an outdoor enthusiast with years of experience navigating the elements, I’ve learned that a polar vortex is no reason to stay inside—you just need the right technical layers. You know that saying no bad weather, just bad clothing? That’s exactly what we believe. If you love to ski or snowboard, you should layer up and get going. Here is exactly how I layer up to stay cozy and focused on the run when the mountain climate hits -13 to -30C. Don’t miss my TikTok ski clothing video about dressing for cold weather. The Layering Strategy Whether I’m exploring a new trail or heading to a familiar peak, my ski capsule wardrobe (LOL) ensures I’m focusing on the fresh air, enjoying the views from the summit, and the descent rather than the thermostat. See you on the chairlift! 🎿 Let me know if you have any of these pieces or if you have other favourites. Looking for a great ski adventure? This is one of my favourite destinations for ski families. Smuggs and Sugarbush in Vermont. Whiteface in New York State and Mont Tremblant of course in Quebec.

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Why Whiteface Mountain is Pure Magic

Paula — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:49:00 +0000

You know those trips that just stick with you? The ones you think about in the middle of a mundane workday, wishing you could swap that office chair for a quad chair or gondola and the smell of pine and cold air? For me, lately that trip is skiing Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York. I visited Lake Placid and skied Whiteface with my family a couple of years ago and it’s been too long. The History Whiteface isn’t just another ski resort; it’s iconic. Tucked away in the stunning Adirondacks, this mountain has a pedigree few others in the East can claim, having hosted the Alpine events for the 1980 Winter Olympics. When you’re standing at the base, looking up at that massive face, you can feel the history and to be clear there are signs of that everywhere. But that’s not why I keep dreaming of going back. It’s the height, the challenge, the trails and the views honestly. The Greatest Vertical in the East (and the Best Kind of Leg Burn) We hit Whiteface knowing its reputation: the “Beast of the East.” And trust me, it lives up to the name. This isn’t your average hill. Whiteface Mountain boasts the greatest vertical drop of any lift-served mountain east of the Rockies. We’re talking about over 3,100 feet of vertical descent, a difference you feel in your legs almost immediately. The four of us are good skiers and have been at it for over a decade now so I wasn’t overly concerned but I was hopeful about finding some excellent conditions and scenery. My strongest memory of our Whiteface trip revolves around tackling new to us terrain. For me, it was challenging in the best way. Cloudsplitter Gondola Catching the Cloudsplitter Gondola up to Little Whiteface, or riding the Summit Quad, rewards you with a panoramic sightline that is truly breathtaking. The gondola ride alone is a kick in the pants. You’re surrounded by the Adirondack High Peaks—a sea of white and evergreen—with the iconic Mirror Lake and Lake Placid village nestled below. On a clear day, you can even see into Vermont and beyond. It’s a moment where you forget the burning in your quads and just soak in the epic scale of the wilderness. For a necessary break from the steeps, the intermediate cruisers here are legendary. The Wilmington Trail, which runs for over two miles, is the perfect chance to lay down some huge, fast arcs while taking in the scenery—a great run to ski together as a family. Black Diamonds Whiteface doesn’t mess around with its Black Diamonds. When the conditions are right, you can even experience The Slides, the infamous double-black diamond, hike-to, off-piste terrain that offers a truly wild, unbridled challenge. It’s the kind of skiing that demands your full attention, a level of focus that is incredibly rewarding. Runs like Skyward—dropping almost straight down from the Summit Quad—offer an adrenaline rush and a leg burner that tests your skills from top to bottom. It’s relentless, steep, and magnificent. Regardless of the run I chose during our visit, I felt exhausted but invigorated, instantly planning my next punishing lap. Whiteface boasts the kind of runs where you need to create a break on a flat halfway down to get your sea legs straight. Or at least I did. The Perfect Balance: Challenge and Charm Whiteface can also be great for a young family. While the experts are playing on the steeps of the Summit and Little Whiteface, the beginners have the excellent Bear Den Learning Center, a separate area designed for low-pressure learning. This is important to ensuring everyone, from the seasoned skiers to those still mastering their stops and turns, had an awesome, unforgettable day. Home of Two Winter Olympics Lake Placid, located high in the Adirondack Mountains, has been the home of two winter Olympics. What better place to embrace winter and challenge yourself to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, bobsled or simply enjoy the outdoors? Did you know that Lake Placid also hosted the third ever winter Olympics in 1932? Where We Stayed Lake Placid village itself is extremely walkable. Newly renovated, Lake Placid Bay Hotel overlooking the majestic Whiteface Mountain has some of the most spectacular views you can find here. From the hotel, it’s just a short drive to the Main Street, where the restaurants and museums along Mirror Lake beckon tourists. In the winter, on Mirror Lake, you can try out dog sledding before shopping for souvenirs. Olympic history runs deep in Lake Placid, steeped into every corner, street sign and landmark. I am old enough to remember relatives travelling to Lake Placid shortly after the 1980 winter Olympics and I vaguely recall watching the Olympics on TV as a kid, cheering athletes on, celebrating Miracle on Ice, one of the biggest moments in US sport history. Finally, you can’t talk about Whiteface Mountain without mentioning the town of Lake Placid. It’s charming, filled with history, and refreshingly authentic. It has that cozy, old-school ski town vibe that reminds you why you fell in love with winter sports in the first place. You grab a hearty meal, talk about the day’s steepest runs, and watch the Olympic ice skaters practice, making the whole trip feel like a pilgrimage to a true winter sports capital. The Facts: Technically in Wilmington, New York State which was about a 7 hour drive from London, Ontario. Cashless which is new. Whiteface Charm Whiteface is more than just a mountain; it’s a demanding, beautiful, steep family friendly ski destination. It rewarded us with exceptional views, and gave our family a trip I am still talking about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check the snow report.

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Reasons to Stay at a Ski In Ski Out Lodge

Paula — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:48:29 +0000

No big surprise for many of you that we love to ski. We have done at least one epic ski trip every single year since learning how to ski at Tremblant in 2015. We have stayed: on the mountain, at the resort, right at the base of the lodge, ten minutes away, half an hour away, in condos and most recently in a ski in ski out lodge. So, we have formed some opinions of the benefits and even the slight inconveniences associated with each type of family ski trip accommodations. Ski in ski out lodges are our new favourite way to stay and ski. In fact, after doing two of these stays this year I feel like this is the way to go for busy family ski trips and even solo or romantic getaways. The goal is for you and your family to have an epic ski trip, right? A ski in ski out lodge provides all the comforts of home and incredibly easy access to the slopes. Staying in a ski in ski out lodge allows you to have more fun on the slopes whether skiing in Utah, Denver, Vermont, Quebec or Maine, this is my new preferred accommodation choice because it saves time and money with less headaches overall. Here’s why we are big fans of ski in ski out lodges. Benefits of a Ski in Ski out Lodge We recently took a two-week ski road trip during which we skied at four different areas. Two of them were ski in ski out resorts, and I learned firsthand just how amazing it is to stay in one of those places. I can say from experience that these benefits made our trip absolutely amazing. Our first big ski trip of the year this past March involved a stay at Okemo Mountain Ski Resort in Vermont. We stayed at Jackson Gore Inn and it was our first time doing ski in ski out and we were hooked. Easy Access First and foremost on my list of benefits is easy access to the slopes. Staying in one of these lodges gets you as close as you can possibly be to the action. It makes for an incredibly short trip to the lifts, far more skiing, and adds so much more convenience. If you get hungry or need a bathroom break, you just ski right down to your lodge. It couldn’t be easier. Affordable Meals Staying in a ski in ski out lodge gives you all the amenities of home, which means a kitchen. Rather than spending a ton of money at the big lodge, restaurants, or cafeterias, you can make your own meals right there at the condo. I really didn’t get this until we stayed here at Okemo early in March on a hosted ski trip and I was thrilled with the ability to pop back at lunch and eat a quick sandwich or wrap in our condo. Another day we each ate the leftovers from the dinner the night before. Less food waste too. Time Listen, you simply can’t put a price tag on time. The extra time that you would spend driving to and from the resort is now spent skiing. JOY!!! That’s invaluable to me. Less Clutter in Your Living Space Most ski in ski out lodges have rooms or lockers for all your ski equipment, which means you aren’t tripping over your skis or poles during your down time from skiing. Some ski in ski out resorts also have stands for skis, poles, and snowboards right outside the entry, making it incredibly easy to store your gear or just drop it off for a few minutes while you take a meal/bathroom break. Word to the wise though. Don’t forget your skis or snowboards are there. In March at Okemo we spied several pairs of kid’s skis that were left behind after someone clearly returned home. Those little ones would be sad pandas when they realized the Princess pink skis neglected to make it home. Comfort Most ski in ski out lodges are among the most luxurious options you’ll find at the resort. These lodges provide a level of comfort you won’t usually find in a standard hotel room. It’s a wonderful feeling to come back from skiing and relax in accommodations that have all the comforts of home and then some. From laundry to kitchenettes, to quick access to hot tubs and resort pools – we love using the amenities after a long day of skiing. Location, Location, Location Most of these lodges are closer to more than just the slopes. These accommodations are usually also close to restaurants, if you prefer that over making your own meals, play areas, fire pits, pools, hot tubs, bars, workout and fitness centres, and other amenities at the resort. Extra Perks At some resorts, staying at a ski in ski out lodge also grants you access to other perks. Many resorts offer scheduled family activities which you can take advantage of like snow play times, parades, dress-up or themed ice skate nights, tubing, free small treats, and even entertainment and holiday celebrations. A Ski in Ski out Lodge is the Best Way to Ski From now on, we will continue to search for the best options for our family. But that said, I will always look up the prices and availability for ski in ski out lodge first. The many benefits these lodges and condos provide make for a ski trip that’s heavy on fun and light on stress. The only downside at all to these places is that they can sometimes seem like more money upfront. This is in fact why we avoided this for a few years. But now that we have experienced the joy of waking up, dressing for a day on the slopes and skiing straight over to the chairlift at 9 a.m. or earlier, it will be hard to justify staying off site anymore. It’s Worth It In my opinion, the pluses far outweigh the minuses. If you’re planning a ski trip, I highly recommend looking into ski in ski out lodges.

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9 Ways to Save the Most on Lift Tickets Now at Holiday Valley Ellicottville

Paula — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:05:12 +0000

Our first trip of the new year was to Holiday Valley Ellicottville and I can now see what all the buzz is about for skiers. Upstate New York is a pretty quick drive from several areas of Ontario and for us it was about 4 hours door to door. The ski runs were lovely, wide and long, and several of the blues won my heart fast. Despite a not very snowy early January, we took our chances and drove down at the tail end of Christmas break. Luckily the snow was decent and we enjoyed about 30 of the runs. Several black diamonds were not open. While it was our first visit, we quickly learned all the ins and outs and, most importantly, ways to save money. If you head out without considering, or researching, any of the possible savings options you could pay way too much for your ski trip. So read this first!! Now that I know the ins and outs of managing an affordable few days skiing at Holiday Valley Ellicottville, I thought I’d share it with you. Here’s how to save money on lift tickets at Holiday Valley Resort. True Story: I ski better when I am happy about saving money. LOL. Saving Money at Holiday Valley Ellicottville. The only thing better than a ski trip is a ski trip that doesn’t cost a fortune. My family loves to travel as often as possible, and the only way to do that is to be smart with our money. That’s why, no matter what kind of trip we take, I’m always looking to get the most bang for our buck. From night skiing to Intense Milk label discounts, there are lots of ways to save money and ski your buns off at Holiday Valley Ellicottville. Purchase Ticking in Advance Purchasing tickets at least 3 days in advance can save you money. Since you’re already headed there to ski in the first place, it should be one of the first things you do. Night Skiing Night Skiing is a great way to save money, and there are fewer people. Don’t worry, you’re not skiing in the dark, the courses are very well lit. WE LOVED this actually. The cost was dramatically different after 3:30 and you can ski until 10, so why wouldn’t you? Cost for adults was $35 and Juniors under 12 was $29 US. The skiing at night in Holiday Valley Ellicottville is gorgeous. Like Holiday Valley Resort on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter From time to time, the resort will post excellent deals on their social media channels, so follow them to make sure you see these great deals. Always check social media when hunting for a discount or special event. Canadian Friendship Week For Canadians like me, this is one of the best times to ski at Holiday Valley Resort. Right now, the Canadian dollar is weak compared to the US, but in early January, exchange rates don’t apply! The resort offers prices at Par for Canadian cash! Remember the Canadian cash. Intense Milk Label Discounts You can use any Intense Milk label to help you save money. You’ll be able to get 2 for 1 night lift tickets and 2 for 1 three-hour tubing passes with any Intense Milk label. These are only good Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. The first night we arrived it was after 2 p.m. and we wanted to ski. Another Mom handed me a Milk Label and I got a free admission for one of us. That saved me a minimum of $30. Sweet. Bring the Kids I wish we’d started taking our kids on ski trips sooner. They love skiing as much as we do, and it would have afforded them so much more time on the slopes. If you want your kids to fall in love with skiing sooner rather than later, you can do it at a huge discount at Holiday Valley Resort. That’s because kids 6 and under ski for free any time and they stay free when their parents purchase a midweek ski package with lodging. Super family friendly option! Group Rates Why not take the entire extended family, or a group of friends, on a ski trip? At Holiday Valley Resort, excellent group rates are available for 15 people or more. You can bring everyone and save at the same time! Plus, with all those family members going, splitting the cost makes it even more affordable. Stay OFF Property We stayed in Salamanca and saved a bundle doing that. Two nights in Salamanca was equivalent to one night closer to Ellicottville. It’s about a 15 minutes drive away and totally doable, even with skier’s legs. Olean is another option nearby, about 20 minutes from the resort itself. At the end of the day after skiing for like 6 or 7 hours I just need a bed and maybe breakfast the next morning then I am good to go. BREAKFAST Find yourself a place that has breakfast included. Holiday Inn Express Salamanca was not fancy, but it had my requisite breakfast included. I need all the fuel for a day of skiing so this worked out very well. Savings Add Up at Holiday Valley Resort Holiday Valley Ellicottville has many ways to save money on your next ski trip. It’s reachable easily by car and a very family friendly area that won’t cost a bundle, especially if you follow these tips. If you’re planning a ski trip from Ontario, give Holiday Valley Ellicottville a try.

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How to Pack For a Ski Trip

Paula — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 11:27:59 +0000

It’s almost ski season and that means it’s almost time to pack for a ski trip. Packing for a ski vacation is easier with a little organization. I say easier because there’s a lot of gear and a lot to remember too. But, the best way to make sure you have everything required for your trip is to start a list of course. You won’t want to leave anything important behind because let’s be honest it’s cold out there and also expensive. YOU don’t want to get to your destination missing something vital and then have to buy it or rent it. If you are ready to pack for a ski trip, you’ll want to make sure your packing is in some sort of order. If you are going to a popular ski resort location you might be able to rent some of the essential items you need. However, why rent if you already have all the equipment and clothing you need? We have all of our own gear now so when we travel we take it with us. I am super fond of my ski socks and my base layer and my helmet with ski resort stickers on it. Sure I could rent a different helmet, boots or skis in a pinch, but I don’t want to do that and I hate wasting money. How to Pack for a Ski Trip Ski Clothes You will want to be sure you have all the right ski clothing for your vacation. If possible, pack your clothes in the order you will be wearing them. Long thermal under garments first, then a middle later, turtle neck or sweater, and then the top layer. A top layer will consist of a fleece jacket, ski jacket, and ski pants. How much you pack will depend on how long your vacation is going to last. For a week, about two or three middle layers should be plenty, a couple of super warm Columbia fleece sweaters or turtle necks, and obviously one to two sets of base layer clothing. Your regular under garments of course are at your discretion, but lets remember you sweat when skiing even though it is cold out. Accessories Pack at least two or three pairs of thermal ski socks, two pairs of gloves OR mitts (mitts will keep your hands warmer), a hat and helmet. A neck gaiter is always handy for keeping your neck warm, but you might not need one if you have a balaclava. We travel with and use balaclavas. Don’t forget your goggles. Other accessories include hand warmers, sunscreen, and a water bottle of course. Equipment You should have a ski bag to pack your skis and poles in so that they have a safe trip if you are flying. There are also skiing backpacks big enough to hold your ski boots and other equipment. It will depend on what type of skiing you are doing what equipment you will need. Ski bindings are obviously already attached to your skis. Here are a few ski boot bags we like: Boot bag. Elastics What on earth would elastics be for exactly? Many ski bags hold two pairs of skis and related equipment. We use heavy duty elastics to bind the skis gently together so they don’t flop around too much or bang against each other when being transported. This simple trick keeps our skis from getting damaged or scuffed badly during transportation. Collapsible Water Bottles Small collapsible water bottles travel well. They might not hold as much water as the huge ones you take to your gym, but you can fill and refill these easily, then clean, pack and stow. Some have carabiner clips on them that make them great for hiking too. Protein Bars I actually don’t take any trips without my favourite gluten free Luna lemon zest protein bars handy. You never want to be stuck and starving and frankly I’m often in countries or airports where there’s no food. Very little is worse than dragging your tired body with luggage trailing behind you through an airport and onto a flight with a tight connection and barely making it on the plane then realizing you won’t be fed either. These days I assume I will not be fed on a plane. Better to be prepared instead of hangry the whole flight. Luna bars tide me over without bloat or excess sugar. My husband prefers Clif Bars variety pack and teens aren’t fussy they will eat either. A Few Other Items Even though you are going on a skiing vacation you will still need to pack regular clothes for when you are not skiing. Be sure to label all of your luggage and bags with your name, phone number, and address. If there is any important paperwork you need don’t forget that either. For example, pre-paid lift tickets, lessons, flight tickets, passports if needed, and hotel accommodation information. You may also find it useful to pack a map of your destination if you aren’t familiar with the area. Carry all the important and valuable items like money, medication and tickets with you at all times. If you already have been on a few ski trips then you probably already know what works for you. Maybe you find something new here anyways. But, if you have not yet taken a ski vacation and you are ready to hit the slopes this will help. That First Ski Trip With Gear Doesn’t Have to Be Chaos Mastering how to pack for a ski trip gets easier with practice and with the right gear and equipment bags. It’s a practice makes perfect kind of deal. First write down all you are going to need. Look through your list and check off everything as you pack each item. There is more involved with packing for a ski vacation than a lot of other trips because you need to take a lot of equipment and clothing and you probably need to buy extra bags for skis or snowboarding gear. And if you do still forget? Have fun on your trip, and if you do happen to forget something, it’s not the end of the world most skiing destinations have rental areas and shops. They want to take your money. But, having a plan and referring to this post will help you avoid any missing items and keep you on the slopes instead of in the stores. Here are a few places you can go now and have a great family or couples ski vacation. Book Your Ski Getaway Now: Blue Mountain, Collingwood. Stay at the Westin Trillium House. Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Le Westin Resort and Spa Tremblant. I also loved Ermitage Du Lac which is perfect for families. Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville, Vermont (One of our favourites and also extremely family friendly) Trapp Family Lodge 25 kms from Smugglers’ Notch Get the GEAR YOU NEED Now – > Boot Bag – > Boot bag. I am an Amazon Associate. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchases made via qualifying links mean I receive a commission.

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Five Ski Gear Tips for Beginners

Paula — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:30:09 +0000

It’s ski season and if you are just starting out I thought I would share these five ski gear tips I learned from the children’s instructors at Smugglers’ Notch. I hope they help you and your family to feel more comfortable on the slopes. Stay tuned this week for all the stories I have to share about our amazing trip to Vermont and all the fun we had together at one of the most family friendly resorts we have ever been to – Smugglers’ Notch. We are new to the sport of skiing and on a learning curve as steep as some of the runs we tackled recently at Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont. If you are like us, essentially beginners, or maybe verging on intermediate level skiers now, who only recently realized they love skiing and want to hit the slopes as often as possible to practice this newfound skill, then these five ski tips are for you. First of all this is part of a Smugglers’ Notch series. We recently enjoyed four days there as media guests and loved taking ski lessons, snowshoeing, riding the Cat Trax Express to the top of Madonna Mountain and many other family friendly activities that make winter enjoyable. More on that soon. The skilled ski instructors at Smugglers’ Notch helped us each to grow as skiers and one particular instructor there, Martha Gamble, who taught our children at ski university, was exceptional. Really if I could have cloned her and brought her home to teach my younger daughter around the clock I would have. Alas cloning is not yet legal. Anyways, last year in March we had the opportunity to first set foot on skis at Mont Tremblant in Quebec, and although we fell a lot, we got right back up and realized we actually all really enjoy the sport. So began a love affair with skiing. At Christmas we bought everyone in our immediate family skis, and we thought we were all doing extremely well with our gear. Turns out we needed to gather a few common sense ski gear tips from the pros at Smugglers’ Notch. Five Ski Gear Tips for Beginners Layer – always layer your clothing for skiing and avoid cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture and can be abrasive if it gets wet. This is not good. If you get cold from wearing cotton you will not last long outdoors and that’s a waste of your lift ticket and your day. Socks – Buy a good pair of ski socks or snowboarding socks. They are crucial. When I first started skiing I was flabbergasted at $20 socks and thought there’s no way on earth I am paying $20 for a pair of socks the kids will lose. I thought I might double up on my socks until my husband warned me that’s a threat to your circulation and will make you miserable on the slopes. So I bought a pair of Under Armour ski socks. What a difference!!! My feet were warm all day. My feet are never warm. When we returned home from Vermont this past month, we invested in good ski socks for the kids. My younger daughter was wearing warm socks but they were cotton and her feet sweat something terrible. That is not good. I love my Under Armour Ski socks because they stay up perfectly and are not too tight and they are warm which is crucial for this Mom who is cold almost all the time. Also NO Patterns. Payton had a pair of cute little socks with polk-a-dots that left little polka-a-dots all over my daughter’s legs after a morning of skiing, and that’s uncomfortable. Ideally you want one colour, no pattern, warm, ski socks. Trust me on this one. Do not ever layer your socks. This can lead to compromised circulation and then you are down for the count. No fun. Same can be said of your pants. Consider your size and whether tight leggings might not be right for you. One of my kids can handle her Herley tights on all day. For my other daughter we learned that it’s likely better to buy a looser fitting pant that can fit over the boot. It was also getting too tight and compromising circulation. Mitts not gloves. Say what? I always bought gloves and thought mitts were for four-year-olds. Apparently they are for four-year-olds and all skiers. Why? Because your hands stay warmer in mitts. The other fingers inside the mitt keep each other warm, whereas gloves mean each finger is separated and they get cold faster. So now we have mitts too or a least three of us have ski mitts that work. Get your boots fitted professionally, at least when you are first starting out. Of course the boots are a bit tricky but we went with a used set for my one daughter and it turned out the fit was not good. She actually still has an ankle that for the better part of a year we thought was arthritic. It still swells up occasionally but she has some physio exercises to help that stay mobile. Anyways, her boots were giving her a lot of pain on the second day. She was almost ready to quit, but then excellent Smuggs ski instructor Martha suggested maybe getting two different sized boots. So that’s what we ended up with and she did a lot better that way. Of course there’s a lot to know about skiing but if you get the ski gear right to start with then you can focus on the rest with less time on the bench. The initial cost can be quite a lot so look for ski swaps and second hand items or look for places that will sometimes sell you kid’s ski sets with a guarantee that you can sell them back next season in good condition if they outgrow the set. This is how we managed to afford the equipment for my younger daughter. Her brand new skis and boots were $225 all in with tax. We were guests of Smugglers’ Notch and we had a fantastic time. We learned more than we ever thought we would while also having a great time. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful.

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Ermitage Du Lac, Tremblant, Quebec

Paula — Wed, 20 May 2015 02:04:09 +0000

Spacious Accommodations at Mont Tremblant I wish that I had taken more pictures of the inside of our suite at Ermitage du Lac, Mont Tremblant when we stayed there earlier this year. Ermitage Du Lac was one of the biggest suites we have ever stayed in as a family. Three massive self contained bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, plus a large kitchenette and gorgeous views. Can you imagine? My kids thought they were in paradise (No arguments over who slept where and no yelling as someone hammered on a bathroom door for the other to speed it up. No, none of that because we each had our own bathrooms.) Appearances are Deceiving Ermitage Du Lac appears only modest from the outside really, but the inside was functional and spacious. Ermitage Du Lac was one of the numerous properties in Mont Tremblant resort area near the village at the base of the ski hill. Our Tremblant Adventure Right before March break this year we were flown by Porter Airlines to Mont Tremblant where my entire family dined at some incredible restaurants and learned how to ski. We were each given two full mornings of ski instruction, so that we were able to embrace this new challenging sport. We enjoyed every moment of our trip. It was incredible from start to finish, and it went by much too fast. Read More About Our Tremblant Trip I wrote a couple of posts about the details of Tremblant family travel here. There is much to do (50 things to do in Tremblant) and yes, in fact, your entire family can learn how to ski in two days!!) Next year we hope to return to ski for real (because now we know what we are doing.) The view from many windows was enchanting in Ermitage Du Lac, Mont Tremblant. The skating rink and chapel were right outside the window and they were lit up at night. Skates are for loan and the rink access is included for guests. There is also a tubing area that is included. We did not have time to try it unfortunately. There are many gorgeous trees making the wintery scene pretty much perfect. Excellent for Ski Families Ermitage Du Lac was not overly fancy but completely functional and I really appreciated that with kids learning to ski. We could suit up every day without worrying we would damage the floor with our heavy ski boots. I felt at home and spoiled without feeling on edge thinking my kids might break a glass fixture or fall off a balcony. Inside the Rooms The rooms were clean and the bedding was extremely warm and soft. Perfect for skiers. There are fireplaces in the suites. The space is comparable to something I once stayed in at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, but the Ermitage Du Lac is much bigger, not unlike the mountains at Tremblant. Go big or go home is the mantra here in more ways than one. [tweetthis]Ermitage Du Lac suites are extremely spacious #tremblant #travel[/tweetthis] This was the main bedroom. It was spacious and warm. There was a TV in the main bedroom and a smaller television in the living room. We were typically far too busy to care about the TV though. Each of the smaller bedrooms had a large bed and a dresser too. The kitchenette was ample and many people on our floor were cooking in the rooms. This suite would have been ideal for a week long stay for two families because it was just that large. Where is Ermitage Du Lac? Ermitage Du Lac is located at the heart of the pedestrian village right at Mont Tremblant. It is literally ski in and ski out. No cars needed at all and the space is safe enough that you won’t be worried your kids will be hurt by a vehicle. (occasional shuttle vans taking guests to and from the airport are the busiest the roads get.) [tweetthis]Ermitage Du Lac is ski in and ski out located at heart of the pedestrian village #travel #tremblant[/tweetthis] Food Guests are provided a complimentary continental breakfast which frankly was one of the nicest continental breakfasts we’ve ever had. Sometimes continental is literally muffins and a coffee station. This breakfast space had yogurt, cheese, cereal, fresh fruit and other pastries with coffee, tea and juice. The kids were as happy with that as we were. The scenery outside the breakfast area is also stunning. Mont Tremblant is well equipped for families and it is open all year round. There is an outdoor hot tub, sauna and fitness room. There are lockers to store your skis in at front of the lobby area. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ermitage Du Lac to anyone travelling to Tremblant. Apparently this destination is super hot during the spring break when US students also flock to ski hills. For me Ermitage Du Lac is a $$$$ 1/2 out of $$$$$. We were guests of Mont Tremblant resort and Tremblant tourism. My opinion is my own and it is truthful. If you are looking for a family travel blogger to cover or review your event or destination feel free to pitch me inkscrblr@rogers.com This is a travel Tuesday linkup. I host this linkup most Tuesdays. Share your favourite travel posts.

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Can Your Family Learn to Ski in Two Days?

Paula — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 14:40:10 +0000

If you had told me even one month ago that I’d be learning to ski in the Upper Laurentians of Quebec, on Mont Tremblant, in my mid-40s I think I would have told you to stop drinking. I am a yoga girl, body flow, centergy, weights, planks – I am good at all of those. Swimming, I endure as a means of fitness, and because pools are mostly warm. But, skiing? Well, the thought never crossed my mind until last weekend when the opportunity presented itself and then I thought why doesn’t the entire family learn to ski together? Last weekend we flew to Mont Tremblant, Quebec with Porter Airlines and my family went to ski school. Picture me, afraid of heights jumping with strange planks attached to my feet off a chairlift at the top of Mont Tremblant. I am not, as I have already established, a skier. Nor am I particularly fearless. But I find that in my 40s I do more than I ever did before. I choose to embrace new things with my family and together we sometimes enjoy brilliant new experiences through travel. I hoped this might be one of those occasions. Friday night: Suiting up: We arrived at Tremblant Friday just in time for dinner and were outfitted with all the ski gear we needed. For a family of four who never skied that was a big undertaking. But Mont Tremblant has all the gear you could possibly need. You can easily rent all of it for the weekend. We were even able to borrow four sets of ski jackets and pants for each of us. The service was friendly and fast and we took advantage of the ski valet for the night so we didn’t need to carry skis and poles back and forth after each lesson. Then we had a great dinner at Gypsy. Tapas was delicious and another first for us. But here’s where it gets tricky. The wine during our dinner was flowing freely and I was happy to be in Tremblant, having fun, so we might have had a few glasses. Service at Gypsy was great and every time I looked my glass mysteriously was full again. We slept well in our spacious suite at Ermitage du Lac and woke early to hit the slopes. I didn’t really give much thought to the fact that wine maybe isn’t the best fuel for your body the night before your first ever ski lesson. Oops. [tweetthis]Mont Tremblant has all the gear you need available for rent if you are first time skiers #travel #tremblant[/tweetthis] Family Ski School Day One: In the morning we met our guide in the lobby ready to go. The experience putting on ski boots for the first time was challenging for everyone female in my family. My husband, the athletic guy and brown belt martial artist, knew how they buckled up, so thankfully that helped. We walked to the cabriolet feeling like astronauts. Psst say cabriolet several times in a row. It feels like you are visiting Europe. I loved that. Ski boots are heavy and stiff and not extremely comfortable (at least until day two when my feet totally adjusted.) It was slippery out too so the ups and downs on the stairs were super challenging (mostly for me). Bob, our ski instructor, met us at the overnight ski valet and we started our first family ski lesson ever. How to hoist your skis on your shoulder with poles and walk in ski boots. I was shocked how heavy skis were, especially when you carry them all the way to the lift or the hill. But we managed and found ourselves together on the learning hill. I was completely okay with that. In fact, I could have stayed there all weekend, but Bob had other plans. We started with the basics of how to get your skis on and Team Schuck was doing great until one of the kids randomly fell while walking in skis and started crying. The next one took a tumble shortly after that and got back up and then Jim took a fall and I assumed it was my turn but I stayed standing. Little did I realize I would reserve all my falling for Day 2 on the big mountain run. The teary daughter stopped crying and we each managed to ski across the hill a few times. I wiped out once or twice and really needed to practice stopping, or snowplow as Bob dubbed it. The thing about falling on skis is that although you might be afraid of that at first, once you tumble a couple of times you realize you are landing in snow and typically it’s pretty forgiving, as is all the extra snowsuit padding. “Remember snowplow,” Bob repeated to all of us. If I didn’t seem to be getting that concept I’d hear: “Pizza!” And the more tired I got, the more I heard “Chocolate cake.” All of that by way of saying put your legs and feet in a triangular kind of position. Incidentally skiing makes you hungry because of all the food references and the extremely challenging physical nature of it all. The instructor was extremely patient and we put him through his paces! Snowplow, pizza, chocolate cake? What sport am I doing? We learned how to put our skis on and take them off. We learned how to criss cross the learning area and we managed to stay standing most of the time. About half way into my first day of lessons I realized that the wine the night before was a big mistake and that the breakfast I eat every morning at home when I work at a desk in my home office is a fraction of the meal I needed to have before an entire morning of skiing. I was dead exhausted half way through, my legs felt like lead, and I was pretty much not absorbing any more learning. My kids kept at it and so did my husband and they were doing great. I peaked early, I guess. By the end of the morning my kids, who were both anxious earlier in the day, skied right past me and down a hill. I walked down the final hill because it looked steep to me. I learned one final lesson that morning and it was this: Don’t be a dipstick and walk down a ski hill because it’s 50 times harder than skiing down the hill. My one daughter learned this lesson the next morning. Family Ski School Day Two: Day two. We were all excited to hit the slopes, err..maybe…bunny hills, the next morning. We were each able to put our skis on ourselves. The boots were still challenging to buckle up tight enough, but we managed. We adjusted to carrying the skis, and the gear was coming along. The boots didn’t feel as bad. In fact they felt much better than the first day, and I was able to actually ski a bit. I remembered some of what Bob taught us on day one and my confidence was growing. I skied down a different practice area and I was even able to maintain my balance on the magic carpet conveyer belt while wearing skis. That made me happy and gave me hope that I could do this. Bob taught us all to turn and to stop with a turn and we were each doing really well on the small hills with all the new information. Of course, that meant we were deemed ready to jump onto the chairlift with skis attached to our feet and suddenly head to a real mountain run. My fear of heights was peaking but YOLO as my kids like to say so why not? I managed to get on the chairlift and hold on for dear life all the while feeling the weight of the skis beneath me. Bob took the chair behind Jim and I, and he sat with the girls. I heard him reminding them to jump as the chairlift slowed at the top and then I spied both of them landing flat on their bottoms. But just a few seconds later as I was contemplating how on earth Bob thought I could manage this massive long run, I watched as Payton sped past me again. Then Jim whipped by. Ainsley hesitated, this time not knowing what to expect from the run made her a bit nervous, so I decided that was my opportunity and I skied past her. It felt great. I was doing it at the top of the run called La Passe and the scenery was stunning. So worth the trip. It was magical really and I could hardly believe how far I had come as I watched my kids sail past me again and then I realized I needed to turn and managed okay on the first turn, but wiped out majestically on the second turn. Bob helped me back to my feet. I sort of figured out how to stand again and then we were off. Each time there was a flat landing space or a new challenge, Bob stopped us to talk us through it and then we’d continue and do our best. Half way down we spied some seven, or eight-year-olds skiing up around us through the forested areas that are a bit off track and as I looked around I gained speed and totally forgot how to stop. We stopped to see the Tam Tam trail for a few minutes. Tam Tam is a new kid’s trail and it has all sorts of beautiful cravings along it and at the entry way. At that point Ainsley took her skis off entirely, because her legs were hurting. She walked for about five minutes before she realized the same thing I realized the day before. Never walk down a mountain when you have skis, because it is way way harder to walk. At a few points my older daughter got nervous on the run, but if Bob saw she was having trouble he took the time to help Payton down and he skied with her holding on to his waist for a short section of the run. He was also really good at reminding us all we could do it and stepping back to give us space to try. On the level passages I grew more confident and was doing better. Bob would remind me to pick up speed so I didn’t have to work so hard on the flat parts of the trail, but I didn’t mind slowing down at all and it gave me a moment to look around and appreciate the beauty of the space we were in. Two and a half hours over two days for all four of us and we were skiers. We had all the basics. That first day, I asked Bob if it was likely we could learn to ski in as little as two days and he told me that first day yes we could. It’s possible to learn to ski in two days. In fact your entire family can learn to ski like ours did in two days. By the end of the second day we made it!! We knew how to ski. Oh, I wasn’t graceful, or anything, and I landed on my butt at least three times that last day. But I did it. We did it! Team Schuck learned how to ski in two days at Mont Tremblant. And on day two, I was a skier. I fell plenty of times, but I got back up. (Also a good lesson for my kids, age 10 and 13.) My entire family skied down one of the runs at Mont Tremblant on the Sunday just before we left for home. I know. I know. I could hardly believe it myself. I learned how to ski in my mid-40s and what’s more I actually really enjoyed it! Plus the fitness potential is spectacular! My body was screaming at me Monday morning, in a good way. I had worked muscles that I didn’t know I had in my thighs and my upper back. Even super sporty 10-year-old who runs and swims and rides horses, and skates and does martial arts told the teachers her hamstrings were sore after skiing. (I didn’t think she had any muscles left that weren’t activated daily in her fitness routine.) Now here’s to hoping we all remember how to do this again next year. I enjoyed it that much and as Bob kept saying: “The family that skis together, stays together.” I can see us returning next year for more and the year after that and so on…because, with 96 trails, Mont Tremblant awaits!! We were guests of Mont Tremblant for a weekend recently. We received accommodations flights and meals for free. I have been sharing our experiences here on my blog. We never ever skied before the weekend we travelled to Mont Tremblant. My opinion is my own. There is still time to visit Mont Tremblant this season. I highly recommend it. It’s Tuesday so it’s also time for my Travel Tuesday weekly feature. Don’t forget to link up. Leave a link to one of your travel posts. This link is perpetual so that means that people can see your gorgeous travel writing featured here every week. By the way I visit each and every post here and leave a comment. I encourage you to do the same.

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