Ski Northstar

 Joining the Randolph family the first time, we skied NorthStar over the kids' winter break. Last Tahoe trip was still fresh in our memory as the dreamy water, warm friendship and board game nights brought smiles to our faces. This was the first winter trip kids took to Lake Tahoe. They couldn't hide their excitement, as did us!

 We flew to Sacramento for more flight choices. Our flight left at 6pm and we settled in the rental house around 1am Dallas time. Considering we started to leave the house at 3pm to pick up the kids, It was a long day. Note to self: Next time take a half day for the kids and fly into Reno next time. It's a 2 hour drive compared to 45 minutes from Reno.

We managed to get to the mountain the next day on time. Norah complained about stomach pain. It's most likely from her altitude sickness. I took her to have hot cocoa at Incline burger near the gondola. We ended up relaxing there for the morning and had our lunch there. I was so amazed with the friendliness of the staff. He offered Norah free cocoa! We encountered so many friendly people in Northstar in the following days. 

We reunited with the rest of the group in the afternoon. The mountain immediately got the kids' approval because of its expansive terrain park. It got Will's approval because the fresh powder 5 days after a snowfall. I loved the seemingly unending mogul runs. And most of the resorts are below the tree line. 8 of us loved to explore in the groves. Norah also did her first rope toll. She loved it so much that she requested to take laps on it. This rope toll was the way to get to a part of hard runs so it was never busy. And it passed between trees. It was a beautiful ride.

This was the first time that our family skied with friends. It was so fun and satisfying to have a big group going anywhere together. Oliver, Jackson would always head out first, the girls would be following right behind. Oliver found a big rock to jump down. The rest of us set up under the rock and see him flying through. Will found the grove with fresh powder and led us in the powder to go down to base. Zephyr lodge's food was great for ski lodge standards. 

We played board games the second night. We laughed and giggled.

The Randolph family left early on the third day to get ready. We skied till the mountain closed and everyone left to watch the super bowl.