Liam's First Ski Lesson

On December 12, Liam had his first serious ski lesson with a pro, who just happens to be his Papa.  How lucky is Liam to be able to learn from one of his heroes?  We'd like to give a huge thank you to Papa who spends nearly every day at Deer Valley skiing and instructing until the point of exhaustion and then still has enough energy to spend a few hours on his day off with his grandson!   We're planning on hitting the hill again hopefully next week.  

Mom, Aiden, Svea and I cheered Liam on from Snow Park lodge.  Maybe next year, Aiden...

Papa started Liam off on one ski to get the hang of balancing and skating.  

It took a little bit to warm up.  

Dad's instructor friend, Patti O, was teaching new instructors how to work with Bambis (4-year olds) and used Dad and Liam for observation.  When Liam finally got the hang of skating on two skis, the entire group erupted in cheers.  How's that for a Bambi confidence boost!  Liam was totally focused on following directions and learned quickly.  

After a little while on the base of Wide West, they moved over to the magic carpet (Sunkid) so that Liam could practice on a little more of a sloping surface.  Most kids call a wedge "pizza" and parallel skis "french fries."  Liam would have none of that, and preferred the correct terminology.  

Dad used to be the Bambi Supervisor and has overseen hundreds, maybe thousands of 4-year old lessons.  In the history of his ski instructing, he had never seen what Liam did when asked to copy Dad's ski placement.  In the picture below, you'll notice that Papa's heels are together, creating a backwards wedge.  Liam needed to put his toes together to mirror Papa, to learn how to use a wedge to slow down and stop.  Well, Liam instead put his heels together.  Technically speaking, he copied exactly what Papa was showing him.  He was correct, but it wasn't going to help him stop!  It's kind of like facing a child, raising your right arm and telling the child to do the same.  99.9% of kids will raise their left arm to mirror the action.  This was the equivalent of Liam raising his right arm.  Clever kid, right?  

Going...

going!...

Uh-oh...

Wipe-out.  

Papa filled out his Report Card for the day.  High marks!  

Aiden loved the warmth of the fireplace inside the lodge, but I'm sure he would've rather been out on the mountain.  

Svea too.  I'm not sure why we thought having two one-year olds wait for three hours in a lodge was a good idea.  Talk about cabin fever!  I felt like I was herding wild bunnies.  

Thankfully, Grammy and our new friend helped out with the toddler entertaining.  Overall, a very successful first experience!  Can't wait for Lesson #2!