This photo is from last Sunday... we strapped on our cross country skis and went skiing right down our own street (this is in our cul de sac).
My SIL was just trying to convince F that she should downhill ski. I said she can go downhill skiing when she can afford the gear and lift tickets. At our ski hill, a bunny hill lift ticket is $36 (regular hill is $49) for kids. Gear rental for kids is another $32. So $68 for a day. That's our budget for household supplies/toiletries/cleaning products for a month.
Or kids can do a 6 week program, all inclusive with rentals for $485. That's more than our entertainment budget for the YEAR.
Anyway, my x-c ski gear is about 20 years old, and all I need is a bottle of maxi-glide once in a while. F's set up is less than $100 and lasted two years. Last year, we bought her new boots end of season that should last another two years. We can sell the old boots (still in great condition) at the ski swap we have here in town (and maybe pick up new skis for next year).
And cross country skiing is super fun! And you can ski UP!! (And I don't downhill ski - so I'd basically be sitting around in the ski lodge waiting for F all day).
It's a little frustrating that my SIL, even though here intentions are good, is putting ideas in F's head that we can't follow through on (she so admires her aunt and wants to do whatever she suggests). But hopefully F will stay satisfied for a while longer with what we do as a family.
In Praise of Cross Country Skiiing
November 28th, 2013 at 06:36 pm
November 28th, 2013 at 06:40 pm 1385664017
Craigslist is a great place to find used ski gear at a fraction of the cost. Or Play It Again Sports (if you have those in your area). That is what we did for older daughter. Her main "sport" is Irish dance and that costs a leg and a lung when you look at lessons, hard shoes, short shoes, dresses, wigs, competition fees, etc.
November 29th, 2013 at 02:02 pm 1385733747
X country skiins is such a great workout. When you get good at it, it's almost like rollerskating, where you push off from center and push outward.
I used to love cross country skiing when I lived in Vermont, but they don't really groom trails around here.
November 29th, 2013 at 04:33 pm 1385742789