The most expensive day of my life...

When I met my husband 13 years ago, I was an intermediate skier who was pretty competent on the slopes. Tom had only skied once at age seven. Apparently his lesson didn't go well because he was so traumatized that he never wanted to try it again.

While we were dating, we went to Big Bear and Tom took skiing lessons so we could ski together. We took our first trip to Whistler right after we got married and that was the second and last time I skied with Tom. Until last Saturday...

For Thanksgiving, we often go to Whistler with the kids.  For years I was always pregnant or taking care of the girls, so Tom and Thane (and sometimes Jordan) would go skiing together. This became a really special day for the girls and I because we would do all the things the boys didn't like to do (sushi, toy store, candy store, ice skate, etc...).  

This year, Tom wanted the whole family to ski.  He remembered those romantic days of us skiing on the slopes together and really wanted me with him. He felt it was about time for the girls to learn too. I tried to tell him I thought it was too expensive and the hassle factor would not make it worth it, but he didn't want to take any more excuses.

So we booked lessons for the girls and purchased all of us lift tickets the night before to save time. Cost of one lift ticket = $99. We even picked up our skis that night - again, to make the day a little less stressful to assure we would have fun and get our "money's worth".  I was horrified at the cost for one day of skiing for five.  Horrified!!!  But I knew this was important to Tom, so I kept all my horrific thoughts inside of me and was determined to have a great day.

We woke up Saturday morning to SNOW!!! This was the only day on our week vacation that it actually snowed, so we were quite excited! We all got ready early and headed out to have the best day ever! This is getting long, so I will describe the rest of our exciting day in an abbreviated manner (with pictures of course):

Chloe's pants too small. Snowing and no goggles for girls. Two pairs of goggles = $62. Mama runs all over village - no kids pants. Ski school starting. Chloe upset. Mama running to more stores in heavy snow. Mama starting to hate snow. Mama sweating in five layers of clothes. Mama finds a discount store. Cost of children's pants = $55 (normally $129!!!). Tom mad at Mama for not buying pants at home for $25. Mama runs to ski school and drops off pants just in time. Thane yelling at mama for taking so long!??!! Pants too big. Chloe not happy.

 

Girls gone - whew. Go to park car. Carry heavy gear long way to lockers. Put on boots - so tight. Ouch. Can't find gloves. Climb steep stairs and walk back to car in tight boots - no gloves. Walk back to bathroom in tight boots to find gloves. Girl in stall. Wait forever. Girl takes her time. Bang on door and ask girl if gloves on floor. No response. Girl finally comes out after 15 mins. No gloves in bathroom. New gloves = $30 (and these were the cheap ones that result in frost bite). Mad Tom. Tired Suzy holding back tears. 

Stand in LONG line. Get on gondola. Too crowded - 10 people packed in. Suzy thinks gondola will fall.  Tom says gondola fell in Whistler last year. Same mountain. Same gondolas. Suzy tries not to have anxiety attack. Tom looks funny in his mask. Thane looks like a ninja in his. Suzy's OLD goggles too fogged over to see much of anything.

  

 

Time to perform. Green runs never looked this steep before. Tom has gotten good in past 10 years. Tom at bottom of hill watching Suzy lose control on way down. This is NOT like riding a bike. Suzy no longer knows how to french fry and pizza. Suzy scared. Suzy's legs are burning. Suzy takes an hour to get down. Thane and Tom wait patiently...

 

Suzy falls. Suzy falls again. Suzy can't get up if she falls one more time. Suzy getting very tired. Suzy has snow in her pants. Because they are Tom's pants. Because her pants were too tight after 10 years of growth. Tom and Thane still being patient. Back up the mountain. Beautiful view. Suzy tries not to fall out of open chair lift.

 

Hill looks steeper this route. Suzy falls again. Suzy REALLY can't get up this time. Tom tries to help Suzy. Suzy takes off skis so she can get up. Suzy can't get skis back on. Tom tries to help Suzy get skis back on. Skis won't GO back on. Suzy getting very mad. Suzy calling Tom names. Tom losing his patience. Thane sitting on his snow board bored. 30 mins pass by. Suzy REALLY tired and mad. Suzy starting to say bad words. Nice man comes over to help. Discovers skis still locked. No wonder Suzy couldn't get skis on. Suzy now going back down hill very shakey. Suzy sooooooo tired and cold. Suzy wet through five layers from inside out - sweat?!!!

Stop for lunch. Suzy tells boys to go without her so she can rest. Boys call and are having fun without Suzy. Boys go down again. Suzy patiently waiting. Suzy bored. Nothing to do. So cold! Goes to bathroom. Takes pictures of herself in bathroom. Suzy REALLY bored.

 

Boys call. Went down wrong way. At a different lift. Must go down AGAIN without me! Lucky boys. Poor me. Boys call. Too late to go down again. Suzy only went down TWO times all day for $100! Suzy rides gondola down by herself and picks up girls. Chloe so happy to see mama. Sophie annoyed with entire day. Girls don't want to ever ski again. At this point, neither does mama.

 

 

Boys call. Lost. Took wrong gondola back to village. Don't know where they are. Very annoyed. Catch a city bus back to village. Takes another 30 mins. Girls wait patiently.

Total cost for day = $$$too high to mention.  Total stress for day = too high to mention. Tom's plans for next year? No girls allowed. Dang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I plan on going to Big Bear by myself this winter to RELEARN to ski. I refuse to succumb to old age. I know I can be the snow bunny that my husband fell in love with again. If I can afford it...

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all!  More vacation updates this week.  Lots of pictures to share!  Suzy

Comments

[annie]

So happy to hear that Suzy didn't break leg....I thought that was coming as I was reading!!!
I think a hot cocoa by the fire at the lodge sounds wonderful!!
Glad you had fun! Btw.....what did you get at the Oasis?
Suzy losing her mind by telling Annie to read blog post for answer!!!
Love the girls jackets btw!! so cute.
Are you in the bathroom or holding up a bank? Kidding!!! :)

[Lisa VanderVeen]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I thought you were going to say "Suzy got so tired of skiing that she went to town and bought herself a 4 carat diamond ring for her efforts" :)

[suzielyons]

This was the funniest post ever. Probably because it could be my family. If you ever want to go to Big Bear and try to learn to ski again I will go with you. I haven't skiied since I was young and skinny. No camera's allowed though and definately no videos!

[Felecia]

Holy Cow this made me laugh!!! as a former ski-bunny/ski-instructor, I feel for you! I've lived both near Big Bear and in the Colorado Rockies, so I'm well acquainted with that feeling "I don't remember this being that steep..." So glad you didn't get hurt anywhere but your wallet....there is a reason that skiing is often for the locals and the die-hards. Its not a cheap sport! Me? I'd rather spend all that money on something I can pack in my suitcase to take home!

[Donna the hitchhiker]

I see a Caribbean bareboat sailing trip in your future!

This was the funniest story. We have all been there in some sort of situation or another.

[Kirsten]

Oh you nailed it. I grew up skiing, and it was never that complicated...was it? But we took the kids last winter and seriously? Spent way too much just up at Snoqualmie Pass - I've done Whistler and it is beautiful, but super spendy. I am officially a fair-weather skier. And cheap.

[Cynthia B.]

oh, I'm so sorry you had this experience! We went on a family ski vacation this past spring in Colorado - first time my 7yo daughter skiied. I THINK we'll go back, but we'll be saving our pennies to do so!

[Kristi Smith]

lol Suzy, that was so funny! But I am sorry, I am sure it was not funny at the time.

I have never went skiing and now I have absolutely no desire to (don't worry, I didn't have any desire to before you posted this)! :)

[Lisa M. Pace]

I'm so sorry for such an ordeal of a day but my gosh is that funny!

[Steph H.]

Suzy needs massage and release of saying "I told you so" to Tom! Oh man, I could feel your frustration and exhaustion. BTDT! I hope you have a great time at Big Bear.

[Tricia]

Finally! An honest account of skiing - so not my favorite thing to do for all the reasons you wrote about. I was laughing so hard while I read this!! I hope you have all recovered from your trip!

[liz a.]

oh so true if you are the mama!!! been there, done that! hahahahah! i first learned to ski up in mammoth, belonged to a ski club at dept. of water and power (downtown l.a.) way back when, (35 + years!!)....and last winter the kids insisted mama go skiing after many years of not.....sigh! i made it and my son has the video to prove it! but it was tiring, and not near as much fun as when i was a cutie-pie, single, etc..........and dragging grandchildren along, even more fun! just you wait, girly! think of all that good exercise! now my son thinks we should all ski at yosemite! ack!

[laura]

i don't mean to laugh at you, but that really is a funny story. i know it wasn't while you were going through it. stick to your relaxing girls day next year! ;) i LOVE the pics on this post. i'm sorry we don't have the shot of you coming down the hill, but i think the girl's faces say it all! :)

[Ally]

Well, next time Tom wants a ski buddy, give us a call! Taylor and I would be there in a NY minute! :) I looooooved skiing in Whistler!

[Tracy Blanton]

Hi Suzy-
It's Tracy Blanton here, and I am laughing out loud because we moved back to the Seattle area and we are all (all 5 of us) going skiing on Tuesday. MY husband has his heart set on it,too, and has gotten the kids all the gear and lessons to boot. I haven't skied in ten years, I have gear as well and I am anxious about how this is all going to go down. Three kids in ski school, five lift tickets, new gear for all and food, too = $$$ . We are only 40 minutes from the closest ski spot and he is convinced that we are going to zip up there all the time...
Anyway, fun to see you here. We miss OC--Scrapbook Oasis, I love Bagels and our favorite Laguna Niguel but we are happy to be by family. I've had to start ordering kits online because there isn't anything like Oasis here. Hope you are all well!
Tracy