J.N.W.T.: Our winter wonderland

During Christmas holidays of 2016, we went on our first ski trip as a family of four. We chose Steamboat Springs as our destination since I have always wanted to go but was discouraged by the mid-day flight time. Now with two little kids, we love mid-day flights. We had a smooth flight of 2.5 hours. Norah napped most of the way and Jackson watched iPad the whole time.

Colorado was cold but with the layers we prepared for the kids, it was not uncomfortable. When we pulled in our condo complex, Jackson loved the sight of snow in the courtyard and asked to play in the snow. We geared him up and he played in the snow with Daddy till dark. We convinced him in for dinner and promised him more snow play the next day.

Being a baby grew up in Texas, he didn't get much cold outdoor experience. And two years ago, when we took him to Wolf Creek, he was cold and cried a lot. We were happy that our boy shared our love of outdoor and snow.

Family grocery trip after we arrived

Having so much fun playing in the snow the first evening till very dark

Because of skyrocketing lift tickets ($155 one day in Steamboat), we have planned to teach Jackson at the local ski hill. Howelsen Hill Ski Area is operated by the city and is much economical ($25 for adults & $8 for kids) for our trip purpose. It has one rope toll, one chair lift and two magic carpets. But it opens late on weekdays, not till 11am and closes on Christmas day and Mondays.

The next day we went on to our sledding adventure before the ski area opens. Jackson and Daddy had fun but Norah was not comfortable with the cold. She couldn't walk with that many layers of clothing and being stationary made things worse. But as the trip goes, she gradually got use to the weather. After sledding, Jackson put on his ski the first time. According to Will, he did really well and was eager to learn.

Sledding down Howelsen Hill

Enjoying cocoa after hard day of snow playing

Skiing down Howelsen Hill

Waiting for Brother, Burrrr

Thursday we went to Saddleback Ranch to experience tubing the first time for all of us! Norah got used to the cold temperature and enjoyed the ride too. There are a green, blue and black trails down the mountain. The black one is off limits to kids less than 12 years. Jackson loved the blue trail and couldn't have enough of it. We came back to the tubing hill on Monday. Norah even fell asleep during tubing. Just like Jackson two years ago, he fell asleep sitting up while sledding.

Norah Donut

Daddy working hard

Friday was a beautiful day and Howelsen ski area offered a free day of ski. Before it opened, we had the snowball fight that Jackson always wanted and built a snowman in our condo's yard. Our condo is a 2br/2bath old unit that just went through some remodeling. It is very conveniently located close to a walking trail near a creek. The next day Norah and I enjoyed the walk for the whole morning.

Jackson's interest to ski grew after he got on top of the "mountain" from the chair lift. He skied on Saturday from the resort open at 10am to it's closing at 4pm without napping. We were impressed by his enthusiasm. It seems that we have successfully nudged our son to be a skier.

Sunday we met up with Maiya's family as they just arrived Saturday night. Will and I shared one day of ski at Steamboat Springs on Sunday. Who would know that Will would only ski a half day in a 7 day ski vacation!

We ended our vacation with a beautiful walk at Fish Creek Fall on Monday afternoon. There are so many things to do other than skiing in snowy Colorado. We all enjoyed our winter wonderland.