Rustic Retreats
Considering the benefits of getting out, without needing to use a tent.
http://www.seattleschild.com/article/rustic-retreats
Backcountry Babes
This Christmas we did something new and unexpected. We took an invitation from family to join them with friends at a backcountry lodge, accessible only by helicopter.
It wasn’t a given. We enjoy Christmas at home generally, the time with extended family, our church services, our family traditions. And we worried about being in the backcountry if there was a medical problem. We were concerned about the safety of backcountry skiing after two years of skiing with avalanches, and worried about the mountain flight in a small helicopter. We talked about it a lot before we committed. Then we signed up.
And we are glad we did.
Walk in a winter wonderland
We flew in to Powdercreek Lodge in the Purcell mountains of British Columbia on December 21st and stayed until the day after Christmas. Lodge owner Guus was there with his wife Ramune, my brother and his wife, and a couple not only inspiring, but truly epic in their outdoor pursuits with their two kids, a 3 year old and a 10 month old. So our showing up with only one kid seemed downright doable.
A few good turns
Though Guus noted that the snow was old, we took turns skiing old powder (still powder by any description!) and watching our little guy, taking him out for sleds to snowy hikes and wondrous snowy adventures, sometimes long sometimes short, always followed by sips of hot chocolate. It was a week of a different kind of adventure than our previous childless years in the backcountry. I felt out of shape for the skins back uphill and quickly felt my legs on even short runs. Taking turns, we each had only an hour or two (occasionally more) on our skis. But we were doing it. We were in the wilderness. Ridge lines and powder surrounded us. No hint of the outside world came along. There is no internet connection, and satellite phones only for emergencies.
Santa comes to the backcountry, too
Inside the lodge our 2 year old played with the three year old, and we all watched the baby. Scrabble games completed every day. We took turns trying our hands at culinary delights starting with appetizers at 4 and dinner at 6. Christmas dinner brought contributions from all and high spirits and cheer, and Christmas eve we sat around to sing all the Christmas carols we knew. Carol showed me a thing or two about knitting. Ramune serenaded us on her guitar.
Powdercreek Lodge blew us away not only in its mountain beauty, but in the thorough integrity of its design, its systems and safety. Guus build the lodge with friends almost twenty years ago after integrating best practices from remote mountain retreats. On the second floor are well constructed mesh racks and boot hangars to dry gear, just above the wood stove below. The common area is perfectly designed for the flow of people. A sauna and shower house help salve post-ski muscles and clean up for dinner. Incinerating toilets outside manage waste. Well labeled and positioned emergency gear is stationed around the lodge, and we were given a brief on arrival. We’ve been places we didn’t feel as good about operations. Powdercreek sold us on how things should be.
We love our traditional Christmases. But this one will remain strong in our memories as backcountry bliss. And we are already scheming for how to include Powdercreek in our annual plans one day. I’m pretty sure our 2 year old will ski circles around us in another ten years. Maybe then we’ll be the ones slowing him down, going in early for hot chocolate. But time in the mountains together, focusing only on the wild and our pounding hearts and throbbing legs and the people around us, is an experience we will never forget.
Alpine Skiing with a toddler (in the summer!)
This may seem like a strange post for the summer, but Trea Diament pulled it off!
The 2010-11 ski season almost didn’t happen for me. I was pregnant with my second kid and couldn’t safely make it up to the slopes. This was kind of a big deal for me as it was going to be my first missed ski season. I made it up when I was 6 weeks old, zipped inside my mom’s jacket. I made it when I went on a military deployment starting in November because the area had an unusually early snow fall. And I made it all the 32 other years. So when the ski season lasted until 4th of July I was thrilled to keep the streak going! 
My mom and I recruited an adventurous babysitter and headed up to Crystal Mountain with my 2 kids – Toby is 19 months and Nettie is 10 weeks. We left our babysitter in the lodge with Nettie and instructions to meet us at the top of the gondola for lunch. Then Mom, Toby and I headed off. After taking the gondola up to the top, we strapped Toby into the Ergo and took off down the slopes.
I thought the day was going to be called early when a gentleman from the ski patrol started chatting with me half way down the first run. Nervous that skiing with a toddler on your back was against the rules, I was super friendly. Luckily he was only concerned that the next generation of skiers was well introduced to all that the mountain had to offer and gave me the inside tips on which double blacks were open. We decided to stick with the blues and headed down.
All in all, we had a fun, adventurous day with the kids. Here are a few tips for anyone else headed out for a skiing or gondola adventure:
- The Gondola is BEAUTIFUL. Well worth the ride on a sunny day. Beautiful views from the top, a fun ride up and down, and very easy and safe. I highly recommend it as a day outing for any family. There isn’t much shade at the top. We ended up eating in the restaurant so as not to expose Nettie to too much sun.
- If you want to ski with a kid on your back, the Ergo is the way to go. I put Toby on my back for skiing then scooted him around to my front for a safe chairlift ride. His feet never hit the ground in the transition either way. It was easily accomplished while in the lift line. And no need to be nervous about a squirmy kid on the chairlift.
- Make sure your bindings are nice and tight. An extra 30+ pounds can make a difference on the quick release.
- Toby got a little nervous when we were skiing so we sang lots of songs and kept him entertained by searching the other skiers for Grandma.
A few thoughts from readers