Don't Be Afraid of the Cold!

New England has been on the chilly side the past week or two, and we even had one morning when school was delayed for two hours because of the cold. But do we have to be confined to the indoors when it gets really cold? I don't think so. With the right gear and some common sense, there's no reason you can't have a fun day on the slopes even when the thermometer struggles to reach positive digits.

Being the Outdoor Mom, I'm obviously an advocate for getting outside whenever possible. The kids get restless indoors, and although I'd love to think we will be reading books and playing board games all afternoon, odds are the kids are going to ask to watch TV, which doesn't even enter their minds when we are out playing in the snow.

The good news is that those super-cold days are often the bluebird ones without a cloud in the sky. There have been days when the views of the Presidential Range have been so crystal-clear against the stunning blue sky that I've felt like I could almost reach out and touch the top of Mt. Washington from my skiing vantage point atop Bretton Woods.



The first step in getting outside on a cold day is making sure you've got the right gear. It doesn't have to be expensive, but investing in the best quality snow jacket, pants and mittens you can afford is a good idea. TreeTop Sports in Bretton Woods has a great selection of kid and adult apparel. Online outdoor gear sites like Sierra Trading Post and Backcountry often have great deals on last season's snow wear.

We take a lot of breaks with the kids. Kids don't have the same kind of fat layers that adults have, so they might not be able to stay out as long as adults. With all the fun going on outside, they might not want to come in, but a hot chocolate or hot apple cider break is an enticing way to take a break and fights off dehydration. Fueling up with heathy choices like a granola bar or nuts will help their bodies stay warm. We often incorporate fun destinations on the mountain into our breaks, like the Stickney Cabin, Chutters on the Mountain, or the Yurt when we are cross-country skiing.

We also keep an eye on each other for frostbite. At the top of the lift and at the bottom of a run, look for noses and cheeks that are starting to turn from that rosy-red you get from normal outside play to white or chalky yellow.  In that case, be sure to cover up the exposed area with a gaiter or mitten, and get inside to warm up quickly.

Here are a few tips on clothing and gear choices that will make being outside fun this winter:

• Layers: I'm sure you've heard the often-touted rule that layers are the best bet for outdoor play. My kids usually start with a polypro base layer, such as Hot Chillys or Patagonia.  they key here is to make sure that it's a synthetic material, like polypropylene, or wool, like products from SmartWool or Icebreaker. Polypro and wool allow sweat to "breathe," or evaporate through the fabric, so that your clothing doesn't end up wet. Even on a cold day you are sweating, and wet clothes will steal your body heat. Over that polypro layer, the kids wear fleece pants and tops, often a mid-weight fleece as well as a heavy weight one over that.

• Socks should also not be cotton.  We are big fans of SmartWool socks, but there are many ski-specific socks out there to choose from. Again, if your feet sweat and your socks get wet, it is a lot to harder for your body to keep them warm. If you have a long drive to the ski area with snow boots on, my advice is to wear a different pair of socks on the way and change into your socks when you put your ski or snowboard boots on at the mountain. Then you have dry socks to start your runs and can change back into a dry pair at the end of the day.

• Make sure your boots aren't too tight. You need to have air circulating around your toes that your body heat will warm up. It can be hard to know if you are tightening your kids boots too much - the really little ones often don't have the vocabulary to tell you how the boot is fitting.  Ask them if they can wiggle their toes around. Although you don't want the boot falling off their foot while they are on the lift (this has happened to my son!), in general you should err on the side of looser boots. Until they are older and perhaps looking into racing or more aggressive skiing, they need to be able to flex the boot anyways and don't need it to be super-tight.

• Wearing a helmet is commonplace nowadays for safety reasons, but they are also warmer than a hat, with full coverage over your ears. We love our Bern helmets. Make sure to pair your helmet with goggles that fit snugly against the helmet, so there's no gap in between the top of the goggle and the helmet and your forehead isn't exposed to the cold. 

• Mittens tend to be warmer than gloves because the fingers generate heat and warm up the entire space in the mitt. 

• Toe and Hand Warmers are great to offset that cold as well. You can pick them up at TreeTop Sports or buy a box of them ahead of time at many big box stores.  For the kids, I always make sure to stick the toe warmers on the top of their feet rather than the bottom - I think having that under your foot would be uncomfortable.

• A Neck Gaiter or Balaclava is great to protect exposed skin on your neck and face. The kids love the Turtle Fur Shellaclava, a combo fleece neck gaiter and breathable hood that keeps snow out and is easy to pull up over their chins to keep out the wind. Disclaimer on neck gaiters: I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with them - I love being able to pull that fabric up over my lower face in the cold, but breathe through it for too long and it gets wet and could freeze. I usually pull it up over my chin on the lift, but leave it down when I'm breathing a bit harder going downhill.

Go ahead and enjoy a day outside in the cold. We are hearty New Englanders, and a little dropping mercury isn't going to hold us back. 

Fitting In Some Fun Shopping

Okay, I admit it: I'm a procrastinator when it comes to holiday shopping.  I don't shop on Black Friday and I certainly don't plan ahead and buy Christmas gifts in July.  The truth is, given the chance, I'd much rather be playing outside than spending the day indoors at the stores.  Luckily, there are some places where I can combine my love of skiing with a little shopping, like TreeTop Sports at Bretton Woods.

The top of my list includes my favorite winter gift: hats. Everyone could use another fun hat to add to their collection. They are easy give: you don't have to guess at sizing and they're easy to wrap and ship.  Last year I sent Skida hats to my family in Colorado.  Skida has a great story: they are made locally in Vermont by a skier and student, and the company donates hats to cancer patients as well as proceeds for Olympic racers.  Here's my friend Nicole and me with our Skida hats on for a Nordic ski day last spring:

For the kids, I love these Sesame Street character hats and mittens.  Perfect for my little Cookie Monsters!

Animal hats with ear flaps have several benefits: in addition to keeping their ears covered, with a fun animal on their heads, imaginations run wild and Mom doesn't have to convince the little angels to keep them on.

For the skier in your life that needs a gorgeous sweater, I love the Core Sweater from Spyder.  Spyder offers sizing all the way down to 2T, so even the little guy can warm up with this one.  The Bitsy Virtue Fill Zip is cut slim enough to layer under a ski jacket, but the mid-weight fleece will keep her warm on extended laps on the bunny hill. 

 

You may, like me, also need to find some last minute stocking stuffers!  How about some ski socks from Darn Tough (another local company, and they also come in sizes for the little skiers),  or a Turtle Fur Totally Tubular that can be worn as a neck warmer, headscarf, or headband?

If you want the full luxury treatment, head to the Bogner shop at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel.  The Munich-based company, known for its high-end sports fashions, now offers a virtual clothing store where you can select custom clothing, gear and accessories electronically, and your order is mailed directly to you.

Still stuck for the perfect gift?  For the thrill-seeker on your list, I think a Canopy Tour gift certificate would make their Christmas morning!

First Turns of the Season

What a wonderful surprise last week when my Facebook feed delivered the news that Bretton Woods would be opening nearly a week earlier than planned - giving us the chance to get on to the snow before the craziness of the holiday week began.  Knowing this would change our weekend plans, I decided that although we were pretty good about keeping all the ski stuff in one place over the summer, I had better make a list and take inventory to make sure all the gear was ready to go on Friday morning.

As I might have guessed, the little skiers had grown quite a bit in the last six months, and everything from snow pants and jackets to mittens to snow boots had suddenly shrunk.  Sleeves were too short and pants looked like capris.  However, I had done some research on sizing and had ordered new snowsuits for the kids, and they were very excited to find some snow to test out their new outfits.  Timmy, who's three, generally falls true to size in a 3T in most brands, but 5-year old Bridget is petite for her age, so I often have to buy a size down for her in pants.  Timmy got a one-piece snowsuit, but for Bridget we went with 4T snow pants and an xxs girls' jacket.

Just in case you're still making that gear list, here's a start:

• skis
• boots
• poles (for adults)
• helmets
• mittens
• ski socks
• polypro long underwear
• goggles
• fleece tops and bottoms
• ski jacket
• ski pants
• snow boots
• hats
• neck gaiters

On a relatively warm November weekend when there isn't natural snow on the ground, the snow boots aren't crucial for getting to the lodge, but now is the time to make sure those snow boots will fit when that first snow day hits us by surprise.  

After a stop at the season pass office for new pictures for Bridget and Timmy, we stopped at the Bretton Woods rental shop to check out boot and ski sizing for them.  (For an in-depth look at boot sizing, look here.)  Both kids had gone up TWO sizes, so I was glad we checked the fit.  Erin, the rental shop manager, suggested we stay on their current-length skis for the first few days, until the kids get their ski legs back and those "pizza" and "french fry" stances come back to them once more.

Thanks to some great new snow gun addtions on Range View, this trail from the top of the Zephyr Quad was the first to open this year.  Unlike recent season-openers, where often the Learning Center was the only terrain open, I was again pleasantly surprised to be able to make the first turns of the year on a longer run.  That personal revelation was tempered a bit, however, when I realized that this would also be the first run available to my eager little learning skiers.  I was pretty confident that Bridget would make it down just fine, after a strong finish last season, but Timmy had just started getting a little adventurous on the Learning Center last year, and  I knew both Range View's pitch and length would be a challenge for him.

My husband and I didn't want to project any of that hesitation on to our kids, so we headed up the Zephyr, knowing that this one run might take some time and that we might have to carry Timmy a bit more than we'd normally like to.  I was again reminded of that constant struggle between wanting to allow them to test their limits and trying not to put them into situations that are hard enough that they become frustrated and stop having fun.  

On the ride up, we talked about making a "pizza" or wedge to slow down, and making lots of arcing "snakeys" down the mountain.  But those first turns can be a little rusty, even for an adult.  Bridget started to whine and get frustrated, and I had to verbalize for her what I already knew: your mind has been thinking about getting back on skis for weeks, but your legs may have forgotten what to do.  We had to stop and slow down, and think about making those big arcs.  By the time we were about half way down the run, she had that grin back on her face and I knew she had her groove back.

Timmy, on the other hand, needed a lot more encouragement - it was a really long run for him.  Matt and I took turns skiing down with him in between our legs, and I think he did appreciate that sliding on snow feeling once again.  Near the bottom, Matt got him to ski towards him, asking Timmy to play "dinosaur," with his arms out in front to keep his weight forward and thinking about moving down the mountain.  I'm eager to see how he progresses this year when we can get on to the Learning Center where he's more comfortable, and get him in to some lessons, too.

Afterwards, the kids enjoyed a little time at the Kinderwoods Playground while Dad and I took turns taking a run of our own.  The sun was shining as I forced some muscle memory out of my quads and took some tentative turns on the forgiving snow.

Of course, we couldn't resist, as Timmy says, "a little lunch at Fabyans" on our first day back for the season.

We are so excited for the coming ski season, and I hope you'll join us on our adventures.  What big plans do you have for making this winter fun?

A Family Holiday at Bretton Woods

Lately those of us who love snow have felt we're at the mercy of Mother Nature's very fickle whim, but luckily Old Man Winter got in the game just in time for Christmas.  After a unusually warm December, we woke up on the 23rd to flakes falling gracefully from the sky, covering up the dingy browns with a bright white. With family coming for the holiday from Cape Cod and upstate New York, I was relieved to be able to showcase our favorite scenery. We had big plans for skiing, sledding, and a sleigh ride for Matt's parents, and our dreams of a white Christmas came true.

Inspired by last year's trip to Bretton Woods, Matt's brother and his family were eager to ski again, and had bought new ski boots to go with the downhill skis we had given them last year.  Their eight year-old daughter, Anya, was happy to get out on the slopes as well, and our first stop was at the rental shop where they quickly got her set up with boots and skis.  (Beginners usually forgo the poles until they've got the hang of moving around in ski boots and on skis before adding poles to the mix.)  

As Matt's brother, Brian, and his wife, Eva, struggled to get their new boots on, I was reminded of how awkward all this ski equipment might seem at first, even for adults.  Shoes in general often need breaking in, and that is especially the case for ski boots.  They are made to hold your feet and ankles in place so that your skis move as part of your legs, but all that stiff plastic takes some getting used to.  It takes a few days on the snow to get them worn in - and if something REALLY hurts, it's a good idea to take them back to your boot fitter and have them take a look.

Getting three kids and three adults geared up always takes longer than I think it should, but we eventually made our way out to the Learning Center.  Four year-old Bridget is now able (and sometimes willing) to put her own skis on, and I helped two year-old Timmy while Matt got Anya headed in the right direction.  We talked about how to get on and off the lift, and at the top the kids loved to push up the safety bar just before it was time to stand up and ski off.

Matt took Anya for a few runs, and she picked up sliding on snow quickly.  At first she seemed a bit tentative, but she practiced keeping her weight forward by putting her hands on her knees and making big arcing turns along the slope.  On the third run, I started off skiing with Anya, but had to stop for a moment to untangle Bridget from her skis, and Anya asked, "Is it okay of I keep going?"  I said sure, and off she went, all on her own!  I was so happy for her, and could see how proud she was.  Her father also picked it up quickly after not having skied in many years, and her mother declared she was ready for a trip up the "big" lift.

The kids took several runs before we needed to all take a hot chocolate break.  I took Timothy home for a much-needed midday nap while the girls took a few more turns down the bunny hill.

Meanwhile, Matt's parent's, who had stayed at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel for the weekend, were finishing off their holiday with a sleigh ride around the hotel grounds.

After the excitement of Christmas and a full morning of skiing, the girls were exhausted, but were revived with a stop at Fabyans Station for a late lunch.  The wait for their tried-and-true favorites, hot dogs and spaghetti, passed quickly as they watched the model train fly around the track near the ceiling in the dining room.

The skiing the next morning didn't go as smoothly for the kids as I would have liked, but despite the fact that we all really wanted the kids to spend as much time skiing together as they could on their last day, it just wasn't happening.  Timmy wanted to go to the Kinderwoods Playground instead, Anya complained of a hurt leg, and Bridget just wanted to follow her older cousin's lead.  So while the girls had a snack in the lodge, the adults took turns skiing and sharing kid duty.  I had to remind myself once again that it isn't worth it to force the kids to ski - it just isn't fun for any of us. Not only do we get frustrated, but I fear the kids will see skiing as a chore, something I really want to avoid.

Apres ski time, however, was a success for everyone.  Anya and Bridget went to the Kids' Apres Ski program, a party for the 4-12 year-old set that Bretton Woods hosts for free on vacation weeks.  Simplicity the Clown greeted the girls, and soon each had a balloon creation in hand. Meanwhile, the adult party downstairs featured acoustic guitar and drum beats from local band Los Huevos.

Downstairs from the girls, we sipped cocktails as Timmy exclaimed, “SNOW TRACTORS!” and we watched from the picture windows of the Slopeside Restaurant as the groomers cruised across the base area and up the mountain to smooth out some fresh corduroy for night skiing.

Happy New Year and happy family skiing to everyone!

Feels Like Coming Home to Ski Season

What a week it was to kick off the ski season!  

For opening day last Tuesday, I snuck Bridget away from preschool for a girls' day on the slopes.  (I knew taking Timmy also, who is almost brand-new to skiing, with just one parent was a recipe for disaster - he needed some undivided attention.)  The sun was shining and everyone at the Learning Center was just happy to be back on snow.  Although I was feeling a bit wary at first that the strip of man-made snow on the bunny hill might be too narrow for her, she surprised me with her skill at negotiating her way around.  I could hardly contain my enthusiasm as I saw her hop onto the chairlift with ease, chat about the snow guns blasting on the upper mountain on the ride up, and snake around other skiers and riders on her way down, as if it was all so natural. I was amazed at how much difference just a summer's time of growth made for her.

We returned that afternoon with Timmy to check in with Erin at the Bretton Woods rental shop to check their boot and ski sizing, test the bindings, and get a quick tune-up.  After two years in the smallest boots and skis they make, Bridget finally graduated to 80cm skis and a slightly larger boot.  To see what they needed, Erin took the liner out of the ski boot shell and had each child put a foot in.  We wanted a thumb's width of wiggle room in the toes and behind the heel.  For the ski length, Erin said to start a height between their chest and chin.  As they get older the ski length varies more by ability, but at this stage it is based more on height.

Timothy was overjoyed with the idea of having his own skis and boots, and tromped around in the boots until I had to make him take them off.

A wonderful blanket of snow over the mountain called my name on Wednesday morning, and this time I left the kids at preschool for some Outdoor Mom fast and furious laps on Bigger Ben and Bretton's Wood trails.    The snow mounds were soft and edgeable and I charged the slopes until my unaccustomed quadriceps begged for mercy.  

After a a most satisfying day of Thanks with friends and family, we returned to the slopes on Friday, the whole family and bags of gear in tow.My husband Matt and I took turns, one guiding Timothy down his first runs on real skis, while the other tried to keep up with Bridget.  

Now confident enough to cruise ahead without Mom or Dad right nearby, I realized that I had to think a few steps ahead of my daughter to set her up (as best I can) for success.  If I didn't talk with her before we got off the chairlift, she was so eager that she would barely wait for me to come along.  So on the ride up, we would talk about what she needed to do, so that she wasn't just careening down the hill, barely controlling her speed.  My brother from Colorado, a long-time Ski Dad himself, suggested that to help her avoid sitting back on her skis, "stand up tall, clap your hands and wiggle your toes."  We also worked on making "snakeys" down the hill to get her to turn more, and Dad played "Red Light, Green Light" with her to practice stopping.

Timothy picked out his first ski helmet from TreeTop Sports, a Giro Slingshot, just the right size for a little monkey.  The Paul Frank Julius monkey design was irresistible to Timothy, and I was glad to support a local business on Black Friday.

The kids were eager to return on Saturday morning, and Bridget practiced more turns while we coaxed Timmy into sliding along without the support of Mom or Dad.  Later, while Dad took Bridget on her first run ever off the Bethlehem Express Quad, Timmy enjoyed a muffin on the bench outside the base lodge before heading back over to the Learning Center to play with the elephant slide and pet Spotty Dotty the giraffe.

 So, what has worked for you when the kids start to "get it?"  

Timothy’s First Day on the Slopes

Although our calendars say that spring has arrived, we’ve barely started mud season here in northern New Hampshire. We had some warm days that melted the snow on the driveway last week, but we still have four-foot snow banks and daily flurries.

This coming weekend is the last days the Bretton Woods Nordic Center plans to be open for the season, so the kids and I have an end of season Ski to to the Yurt Picnic planned for Saturday. Join us if you can! I'll have a report soon, but I'm guessing this will be a wonderful family adventure. We'll also try to swing by the Beach Party/Slush Pool Event and Winter Mt. Bike Race at the Bretton Woods alpine area.

Timothy, who turns 18 months next week, has been scooting around on his little plastic strap-on skis lately, and I figured yesterday would be a good time to see how he'd do with the slippery stuff underneath him. I debated whether I should take him by himself so I could give him my undivided atttention, or to go with three-year old Bridget as well, knowing that he is usually quite determined to mimic his older sister's every move. Deciding that Bridget wouldn't want to miss out on the fun, I took both of them, but without the aid of a second parent, I took a minimalist approach. I knew that I couldn't take both of them on the chairlift just yet and Timothy would probably tire quickly, so as long as we were just playing in the level area of the learning area, I only brought their strap on skis and left my skis, helmets and goggles at home.

With Timothy's skis and some rubber duckies in my tote bag, Bridget proudly carried her skis up to the learning area, and Timothy trudged along too. I strapped their skis on, and Bridget headed for the magic carpet with a rubber ducky in hand. Timothy was eager to pet the life-size red and blue giraffe and touch the flowers posted around the learning area; meanwhile, Bridget just started doing laps on the magic carpet all on her own. The magic carpet is a two-foot wide conveyor belt, like the moving sidewalks you see at an airport, built to be flush with the snow, so the beginner can just slide on and ride up a very mild incline, with nowhere to fall like on a chairlift.

I tried to throw a few duckies on the ground for Timothy to retrieve, but he seemed a bit intimidated by his slippery footing and shrugged the ducks off. I brought him over to the magic carpet to see how he'd do following his sister up the ramp. He stood dutifully on the conveyor belt with little comment, until he got to the end where he began to giggle as he slid off into the snow. Then he would point back at the magic carpet, indicating his desire to ride it again.

I held him up under his armpits from behind as we scooted back down to the bottom of the magic carpet. He shuffled his feet like we was trying to walk, which I guess isn't surprising given all the time he has ridden around in the Chariot this year watching us propel oursleves on Nordic skis. Bridget requested that this ride up was "kids only!" so I walked alongside with the video camera.

Both kids seemed content to do laps on the magic carpet. I was gladto see Bridget happily going on ahead when I had to stop to pick up Timothy, and that when she fell she was getting herself up, which was great progress after weeks of waiting for me to come help her when she crashed. On the carpet, she waved to me like the homecoming queen in a parade, then hopped off and went around again. It's amazing how the dynamic changes when there are two kids. I had asked Bridget to show Timothy what to do, and now suddenly instead of being the new one on the slopes, she was the old pro with confidence in her stride. I'm often ambivalent in my feelings towards seeing my kids grow up and away from me, but this was a wonderful show of independence.

Timothy seemed to just tolerate the skiing part, anticipating that moment when he could slide off the end of the conveyor belt. After several more "one more times," I could see Timothy was going to need a nap, so we headed in for a brownie break while the smiles were still on their faces.

The Forecast is Outdoor Fun

The forecast for this weekend looks a bit chilly, but with the right gear, we should be able to play in the snow comfortably.

Earlier this week, it was snowing lightly at home, but nothing that would keep us indoors, so I took Timothy in the Chariot for a cross-country ski. When we arrived at the Bretton Woods Nordic Center, I was amazed at how windy and snowy it was. With Mount Washington looking over our shoulders, Bretton Woods seems to have its own private weather system. In the open areas of golf course that surround the Nordic Center, the wind can definitely pick up speed. But I knew that once we got into the woods, we’d be sheltered.

Preparing for a cold day cross-country skiing with the kids takes a little preparation: for me, I need to wear breathable layers, knowing that it may be cold at the start, but that I’ll warm up once I start moving. I often wear my down coat over whatever I will wear skiing, and take it off just before I head down the trail. It’s also easy to stash an extra layer or spare gloves in the Chariot.

For the baby that stays in the Chariot, my husband and I found some tricks to keep the kids warm. Since the Chariot is enclosed, it is pretty sheltered from the elements, but baby’s not working up a sweat like Mommy, so I take a few extra measures. Before leaving the house, I fill a Nalgene bottle with hot water and put a big wool or fleece sock around it for insulation. Into the Chariot it goes by baby’s feet for an extra heat source. Then I wrap up the baby in a down jacket or sleeping bag. LL Bean and Chariot also make buntings specifically designed for wrapping around baby when it’s cold, but we found the down jacket or sleeping bag work just fine.

When the kids are a little older, they may need some snacks and water in the Chariot with them. Parents know that food can be a great thing to occupy the kids, but I always struggle with trying to get Bridget to keep her mittens on. If mittens do come off for a snack, be sure to check on your little one’s hands from time to time to make sure they are warm enough. Bridget also went through a phase where she always wanted to take her boots off, and we had some very cold toes one day!

The headwind and blowing snow was a bit daunting a few days ago – as I started to pull Timothy across the bridge near the Nordic Center, I wondered for a moment if this really was a good idea. But once I got over the golf course and onto Turnpike, it was a different world. The evergreens were covered in fluffy snow, a safe harbor from the tempest. I could barely see Timothy’s face with the down coat up around him and snow on top of the Chariot cover, but he rode quietly and at some point drifted off to sleep.

If you can get out for a night without the kids, this Saturday you might want to try the Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe tour followed by hot chocolate by the fire!

Making Tracks with Timothy and the Moose

Now that January has arrived, it’s time to get into a routine and settle in to the fun of winter. Bridget is back to preschool in the mornings and it’s a great time for Timothy and me to explore the outdoors together. I have found that I’m much better at making time for the things I love (rather than just getting sucked into the vortex of laundry and grocery shopping) when I set a goal for myself. So here’s my short-term goal for this ski season: I plan on competing in the Mount Washington Cup Nordic race at Bretton Woods this March. It’s “only” a 10-kilometer race – a short distance in the world of Nordic racing, but as a beginner racer I think finishing is an attainable goal for me.

Yesterday was the first day of what I hope will become routine for me: after dropping Bridget off at school, Timothy and I headed to Bretton Woods for some cross-country skiing. I was hoping that Timothy would be able to get his morning nap while I cruised around, but I wasn’t sure how it would go if he fell asleep in the car and I then had to transfer him to the Chariot. The lull of the skiing pod did its magic, though – he had been asleep in the car for 30 minutes by the time I had everything set up, and he fell back asleep by the time I was over the Ammonoosuc River bridge.

In my previous post I talked about what a great tool our Chariot has been for getting into the great outdoors, even with little ones. We have two Chariots that we purchased from Littleton Bike and Fitness – we bought the Cougar 1 when Bridget was born. She was such a handful that we had no intention of needing a Chariot that seats two. But, the maternal instinct kicked in and now we have the Cougar 2 as well. If you’re in the market, the two-seater can easily be adjusted so that one child can sit in the middle.

After lugging two children around this past weekend, going back to towing just one kid yesterday seemed like a breeze. Matt usually does the honors when it comes to skiing with both of them, and this year I’m looking at towing Timothy as a great training tool. I’m more comfortable freestyle, or skate, cross-country skiing, and because I’m smoother, I think the ride for him is smoother as well when I skate.

To ease into the workout, I headed across the golf course to B&M and up to the yurt. B&M is a long, gradual uphill, and I soon found my breathing and skiing rhythm. Even after the warm spell at the end of last week, the snow is still abundant and Pete the groomer has done an amazing job at keeping the trails in shape. At the intersection of B&M and Tim Nash, I noticed recent moose tracks in the snow – a nice reminder that even with all the amenities at our fingertips at the Nordic Center, we really are right in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest.

Coming back down Sebosis, I found myself snowplowing a bit more than usual to slow my pace around the corners with the weight of the Chariot behind me. I’ve found that being a downhill skier is a great advantage when it comes to negotiating tight turns on the downhill cross-country trails. And then more moose tracks, all the way down the lower half of Sebosis and onto Perimeter along the golf course. I wonder if he was headed towards the outdoor pool at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel.l?

The snow along the golf course was heavenly, and I considered taking another loop, but I had also decided that it was better not to overdo it. Exhausting myself would not make for very easy parenting for the rest of the day.

New Year’s Eve Nordic

My New Year’s Eve celebration took place on the Bretton Woods Nordic trails, a little bit earlier than most. When the kids often are ready to greet the day at 5:00am, bedtime comes early for the Outdoor Mom, whether I like it or not!

So how do we all get out to enjoy some cross-county skiing with a three- and one-year old? Bretton Woods Nordic rents pulks, an enclosed sled that an adult can tow behind them while skiing. But our favorite piece of equipment the past few years has been our Chariot. This high-tech stroller is basically a pod with wheels that pop off so that you can attach skis to pull the kids Nordic skiing or a bike attachment to tow the kids behind your bike. When the kids were infants, we used the baby sling attachment to cradle them safely in the Chariot until Bridget and then Timothy could hold their heads up on their own. This equipment has been an invaluable investment in our health and sanity. When Bridget was a baby, it was often the only way we could get her to nap. It has enabled us to get outside with the kids and get quite a workout in the process. It has meant that Matt and I don’t have to take turns getting outside.

Pulling the Chariot around the Bretton Woods trails is always an attention-getter. We often get comments like, “whish I could ride in style like that!” and “Wow, that’s got to be quite a workout!” Since Matt is a much faster Nordic skier than me, I often joke that having him tow the kids is the only way I can keep up with him. He jokes back that towing the kids is the only way I’ll let him have a beer when we get home.

Yesterday we met out friends who also have a Chariot, Phoebe and Dave, and their two boys. Finding friends to share the trials and tribulations of feeding your outdoor habit with kids in tow makes it all the more fun - for the kids and the adults.

This ski season has brought a new dimension to the use of the Chariot – our preschooler now want to have the option of getting out and taking part in the skiing. We are obviously excited to see that Bridget wants in on the fun, but this has forced another change in our approach and expectations. Now we need to summon up the patience to schuss slowly along as Bridget learns her way through the forest. But hopefully the payback will be an independent skier in just a few years.

Bridget’s feet are still too small to wear cross-country boots, so we got her some strap-on kid’s skis from Madshus that adjust to her snow boots and have an unattached heel to simulate the feel of cross-country skiing. So we pull the kids for awhile, then let her get out and ski a bit, then back in the Chariot when she tires. The gear compartment in the back of the Chariot is big enough to stow snacks and diapers and to stick the skis in the top when not in use.

Bridget and the boys especially enjoyed cruising down the gentle slope of the Sebosis trail. Having two other kids to follow is a great motivator for Bridget. She sees that getting down the trail is totally possible, and that if you fall, you just get yourself back up and keep going. Bridget’s boots don’t hold her up like her stiff downhill boots, so this will be great for her to learn balance on the skis. She shuffled along with a big grin on her face.

Now that the Christmas rush is over, I’m looking forward to pulling Timothy on the Nordic trails while Bridget is at preschool in the mornings. With any luck, we’ll be able to combine morning nap time with a chance for Mom to get outside!

Thanks to Dave for this great picture!

Getting Geared Up: Clothing

The Challenge: keep the kids warm and dry so they can focus on fun in the snow. Throw in a seemingly irresistible urge to tear off the mittens and eat the snow. Even as Bridget gets older, she may know that this habit is going to make her hands cold, but the impulse is apparently just too hard to resist. Unlike adults, babies and toddlers can’t forsee how uncomfortable they’ll be if they stuff snow in their mittens or get soaking wet in a puddle.


The Solution: Probably the most important step to ensuring the kids have fun outside is to get them dressed properly. Spare socks and mittens take up little space in your bag, and could also save you if one of those paired items goes missing. I stopped by TreeTop Sports yesterday to talk with Resort Retail Director Judy Ratzel about her top picks for outfitting the kids for fun in the snow. Snowsports retailers have made their gear not just good for getting outside, but fun, too. I couldn’t resist picking up a Cookie Monster hat for Timothy while I was there.

Like adults, it’s a good idea to dress the kids in layers. It may seem like it takes longer to get them geared up than the time you are actually outside, but if they are well dressed, odds are better that you can stay out longer. Ski clothes shouldn’t be made out of cotton. Synthetic fabrics or wool breathe well and dry quickly, so if Bridget overheats from exertion or just bundling up too much at the start, the moisture will be wicked away from her skin. She usually wears:

• Polypro long underwear (top and bottom)


• Fleece top and pants


• Fleece jacket or vest (optional, depending on the temperature)


• Synthetic or wool blend socks


• Ski jacket and snowpants or snowsuit

For the jacket and snowpants, I looked for something that had a little room to grow at the cuffs so that there’s enough fabric to go over boots and mittens. This is key to keeping the snow out. Socks don’t have to be ski specific, but Darn Tough makes a great ski sock for even the littlest feet.

Then the ski gear: I strongly recommend a helmet. We had Bridget try several on to see how they fit. Helmets not only protect their heads, but they are warm and lightweight. Like wearing a helmet for riding a bike, ski helmets are commonplace nowadays, meaning Bridget and Timothy will grow up just expecting that it’s part of the ski outfit. “When buying a helmet,” Judy told me, “most have a size adjustment. If you buy the helmet with it fitting on the smaller end of its range, there’s more room to grow before having to purchase a new one.” Bretton Woods rents helmets too, so you don’t have to buy one before you’ve decided this will be something you’ll do often.

A good pair of double-lens googles is also a must to protect their eyes. (It’s not very fun to ski if your goggles fog up and you can’t see!) Mittens need to be waterproof (not fleece, which get soaked) and I look for ones with long cuffs to tuck in to her jacket to keep the snow out.

TreeTop Sports also carries kid-sized ski boot backpacks called Transpacks. Judy told me, “Asking your kids to carry their own gear, even if it’s just a small backpack to start, is a great habit for them to get in to. They are learning to take some responsibility for that fun day on the snow.”

And if we DO get a little cold or wet out there? Chalk it up to the fun of really immersing ourselves in the snow, and come in for hot cocoa!

Getting Geared Up: Skis and Ski Boots

Knowing that ski season was soon upon us, I took the kids one rainy afternoon to see Erin Shedd at the Bretton Woods rental shop. Erin has been at the resort since 2001 and has been at the rental shop for five years. She was really sweet with Bridget and Erin's questions about Bridget's excitement over the upcoming ski season made her feel at ease. I highly recommend seeing a professional boot fitter/ski technician, for a few reasons. First, as much I want to encourage Bridget to understand how her boot is supposed to fit and to be comfortable, a three-year-old can sometimes be an unreliable witness. Sometimes she confuses “too big” with “too small,” or she just might have something else like hot chocolate on the mind. Second, skis can rust over the summer, and kids can have big growth spurts since the skis were last set, so it’s a good idea to get the binding tested and reset at the beginning of the season.

I knew that Bridget’s tiny little feet certainly had not outgrown the smallest boots and skis that are made, but she had grown, and I wanted to be sure that everything was fit correctly and so we’d be all set when it was time to hit the slopes. It also gave Bridget a chance to re-acquaint herself to the feeling of ski boots and skis, to practice walking around in the boots, and to shoosh around on the carpet with the skis.

Knowing that we’d be trying on ski boots, Bridget wore the wool/poly blend socks that she would normally wear skiing. Smartwool makes breathable socks that keep her warm. But more on clothing choices in an upcoming blog!

Erin first measured her feet on their boot-sizing chart. The “mondopoint” size is the length of the foot in centimeters, and this size does not necessarily correlate with regular shoe size. We took the liner out of the boot and had her put her foot in to see how much room she had. Ideally there’s about an adult finger-width in front of her toes, so there’s room to grow and air can circulate around her feet to keep her warm. Then we put her feet into the empty boot shell and looked for about two fingers to fit behind her heel. More room than that and the boot is too large. If the foot can rotate in the boot, you could end up with an injury.

Next, we had Bridget try on the boots and see how she felt in them. Remember to keep all long underwear, pants, and ski pants outside the boot. Excess clothing tucked in the boot just cramps the ankle area. The boot should allow her to walk around pretty normally; if her toes are pointing way out or in, the boots are probably too big. I learned that we didn’t want to crank the boots super tight, as I had been… one time last year I hadn’t tightened the boots enough and the whole ski and boot fell off while we were on the chairlift, and I had to carry her half way down the bunny slope to retrieve it. Erin suggested we should be able to put a finger into the top of the boot while she’s wearing it. Too tight and it could wrench her little growing leg.

Before you rent or buy, you should know your kid’s height and weight. Looking at a combination of Bridget’s height, weight, boot size, and skiing ability, Erin was able to determine what the binding’s release would be set at. This setting determines how much force is needed to be exerted for the boot to release from the binding. For a young kid with soft and growing bones, it’s important that her boot will release easily if she falls, so that the ski torques off her boot rather than turning her leg in uncomfortable or possibly dangerous angles.

If you are lucky enough to be able to get another year’s use out of the skis you already bought for your kids, it’s still a good idea to take them in to the ski shop and have a professional ensure that everything is safe and ready to go for the new season. We know kids grow exponentially, so the technician can check the release setting on the skis, check to make sure the boots still fit properly, and to make sure the skis are tuned properly – if the bases are low and the edges are high, it could put her on edge all the time and make it hard for her to turn. Making sure there is a coat of wax on the bases is not just about going faster, but it will also help the ski pivot and turn easier, particularly at slower speeds.

Not only did this exercise set my mind at ease that the fit and settings were safe for my little girl, but it also gave her a chance to see another aspect of the ski resort. She’s still too young to understand the technicality of it, but I’m sure she got a sense that it was important that things feel comfortable. Not that this three-year-old would ever miss an opportunity to let me know if she wasn’t comfortable! And she got another little taste of anticipation to get out on the snow!

We are looking forward to checking out the newly opened Nordic trails this weekend as well as some alpine turns. And a treat for the kids… Tea with Mrs. Claus and Breakfast with Santa at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel!