We moved to Utah in 2000 and I've been skiing only once in those 12+ years. I've come up with five reasons why I've avoided The Best Snow on Earth:
- The California blood that courses through my veins causes me to become severely allergic to temps below 32 degrees. Chair lifts are the worst.
- I have a fear of heights unless I'm completely secured with hands and arms inside the ride at all times. Chair lifts make me want to hyperventilate. Don't they know I could totally slip underneath that bar?
- Finding all the gear, including matching gloves, is as exhausting as running a half marathon. (Trust me...I've done both.) And then you have to rent gear which requires trying on boots that fit tighter than spandex on Richard Simmons.
- I'm still on the bunny hill. Don't get me wrong, I love skiing with my kids but this girl still needs a lesson or two. Or three.
- The cost of a lift ticket plus rentals is more than my Coach bag.
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I had a pretty poor attitude about skiing (duh) until Nathan and I took George and Livi for a bit of skiing at Wolf Mountain Resort near Eden, Utah.
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On our way to Wolf Mountain Resort (the "before")
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A bit of work to get ready but totally worth it!
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Yes, it was a bit of a drive but SO worth it. The smaller resort had a great family feel to it and I wasn't overwhelmed like the time I skied Brighton. George and Livi loved their ski instructors; check Livi rockin' the whole pizza move with her skis:
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Photo by Amy from The Idea Room
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I have to admit, my guy was pretty awesome too...and not just because he acted super impressed with my mad skiing skills. I mean, check out how well I mastered the art of the fall:
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Becky from The Crafting Chicks was kind enough to put up with me considering she's skied a heck of a lot more than I have. Becky is the nicest ever.
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After a couple hours on the slopes, we headed inside for lunch. The grill, though small, had a nice little selection of menu items, from chicken fingers and burgers to pizza and wraps. Plus it was totally affordable—yay!
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Photo by Amy from The Idea Room
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After lunch we went on a couple more runs, Magic Carpet included. (That conveyor belt of sorts was probably my favorite thing about Wolf Mountain Resort even if it was for the smallest of snow bunnies. All they need is one that goes to the top of the mountain...)
I even survived the chair lift, though it helped having this guy by my side.
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Our time at Wolf Mountain was a grand one, and not because the kids asked how soon they could return (which they totally did). The smaller resort combined with a great ski instructor convinced me I need to regularly ski that Greatest Snow on Earth.
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Great day at Wolf Mountain Resort (the "after")
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Fortunately I won't need to sell plasma to do so. Wolf Mountain is quite possibly the most affordable ski resort around. Lift tickets are anywhere from $10 to $37 and they run some fab specials:
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| Monday – Family Night Family of 4 - $40 Each Add. Child - $10 Individual tickets $12 |
Tuesday – 10-Buck Tuesday Buy any ticket at regular price and get a second ticket of equal or lesser value for $10 |
| Wednesday – Youth Night* Youth programs & groups - $12 per ticket * Minimum of 12 kids |
Thursday - Student Night Students K - Grad $12 College Students MUST show school ID |
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Don't forget the Wolf Mountain Ski an Snowboard School. You can get a regular day ticket (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), full-day rental and group lesson for only $55. FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
Amy {The Idea Room}
Great post! Love the video! Had so much fun hanging out with you and your cute family!
Emily Hill
It was so much fun seeing you that day. I don't get to hang out with you nearly enough!
Deborah
I am so not a skiier, but this makes me want to give it a try!
Emily Hill
I'm not really either but this was so much fun!
Brandie
I've never been skiing either and I am a native. Too expensive when I was a kid in a family of 7 and now I am afraid I will break a hip LOL
Emily Hill
It is really expensive but I will say, Wolf Mountain is seriously affordable as far as skiing goes. It's a bit more in gas but you still would save a ton. Maybe a date day for you and the hubby?