We spent the last week in Mammoth Lakes, CA teaching Jacob to ski (well, and we got to enjoy the slopes as well). Since Auntie Sarah lives in Mammoth, it was a perfect visit being able to spend lots of time with her and having her help in teaching Jacob to ski. In just 4 days Jacob mastered the Discovery Chair, being able to go down almost on his own (just the straps attached to make sure he didn't go down too quickly). Even though he learned how to turn, he loves to go fast straight down the mountain. Gives mama a bit of a heart attack when he does this... Mama stayed with Jacob the whole time on Discovery, and Sarah & Daddy took turns helping her out.
We are so proud of how brave Jacob was at tackling this new skill. He surprised us all with how quickly he took to it and progressed. He skied from 9-4 all 4 days with just an hour or so break during the day. I think the passion for skiing has been planted!
Thank you Auntie Sarah for an amazing week and for getting us to and from Reno! You are the best!
Here are some pictures and a video from the week!
Jacob and his baby skiis; all ready to head out on Day 1
Quick shot in front of the Woolly Mammoth sign
Mama, Daddy, Jacob, & Sarah before heading off to Discovery Chair for the 1st run
Sarah, Jacob, & Daddy on Discovery Chair - Jacob's 1st ride up the mountain
Jacob takes his first run down Discovery...bit of a back/thigh breaker for Daddy, Sarah, & I, but Jacob loved it!
After a half dozen or so runs down Discovery, Jacob is ready for some lunch! Skiing really kicks up his appetite!
Jacob & Sarah on the gondola for a trip to the top after lunch and some more skiing
Sarah, Jacob, & Mama at the top of the Eastern Sierra - Elevation 11,053 ft above sea level
(or as Jacob liked to think of it, that high above Grammy & Grandpa Ward)
Jacob & Sarah overlooking the Sierra Mountains
...and now for some more skiing down Sesame Street...Auntie Sarah's turn to take Jacob down.
Jacob & Daddy wait in line for Discovery Chair....Jacob didn't like the longer waits on Saturday & Sunday. He's a mid-week kind of kid.
Jacob progresses to just holding on to the pole
Woolly, Jacob, & Sarah - Jacob saw Woolly while waiting in the lift line and HAD to find him. There was a lot of whining on the lift about how Woolly would get away, we'd never find him again...then when we get to the top, he doesn't want to get near him....luckily he'd pose for a picture with Auntie Sarah.
On Day 3 we finally had the wonderful straps, a truly marvelous invention - thank you Luckybums.com! Jacob loved the straps because it gave him more freedom; and we loved it because our backs were finally free (& we didn't have to ski backward anymore!).
Jacob was the envy of the lift line, I don't know how many people asked if they could be towed that way...
Daddy, Jacob, Sarah, & I on a 2nd trip up the gondola to the top of the mountain. Jacob was so upset he couldn't ski down with Daddy & Auntie Sarah. Maybe in a few years...
A woman actually stopped me on our way out of gondola house at the top to ask if he was going to ski down...
Mama & Jacob riding down the gondola
Jacob skiing down Sesame Street with the straps
