Black Marmots

Today, I had an interview with pretty much my dream job! I do not want to say much about it (do not want to jinx this opportunity). But what I can say is that it was definitely incredibly positive and went really well! I think I asked some really good questions about the job and organization, as well as answered their questions with honesty and accuracy with theChristyBel-ness! Super excited! More information to come as it comes in!

But, to celebrate such a wonderful moment of the summer, Marc and I went on a celebratory Gondola ride at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Let me just say that I am constantly nerding out on wildlife wherever we go - totally still in tour guide mode even when I am not working. As we were heading up the mountain in the Gondola, we look down and discovered Marmots! Ok, sure, marmots are the groundhog of the Tetons and can be not too exciting to most people. But these marmots were BLACK! I have never seen black ones! It was super cool! And not to mention, there were three of them! Heart was definitely exploding!

TheChristyBel

Back to Partying With Pioneers

It's Great to Be Back!

You would think that when a graduate student reaches her spring break, she would not work on her Master's paper, get out of the college town, fly to Mexico, and drink margaritas by the pool....nope. TheChristyBel did the opposite - well mostly. For my spring break, I had a long list of edits from my committee to incorporate into my paper, drove to Jackson, and worked all week long (for 8-hours straight) with the most awesome little people and Pioneer Party People! Yep, went back to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the week. Even though I was 'working,' you are having fun all day long. Sure there are a few moments that are really challenging, annoying, frustrating, tiring, and you just want to go home, but overall, it's one of the best jobs I have had. The instructors and team I have been able to work with are some of the most positive, laid-back, welcoming bunch of gems ever. I received such a loving welcome when I stepped back into the Kids Ranch!

But yea, there was never a dull moment with Pioneers. We had a huge rush of spring break clients from the east coast. And let me tell you...there are days where I do NOT miss that east coast attitude! haha (says the girl with one of the biggest ones!) But, I was able to teach a bunch of little 3-5 year olds how to 'pizza' all day long, cuddled with some of the sweetest and cutest Pioneers, and challenged my amazing working with children skills when they just were not having it.

Oh, not to mention...I met Nina Garcia (from Project Runway) and her little boy! And....I got to meet Sandra Bullock's little boy as well! So star stunned! 

Even though I had been there just a week, it was definitely not enough of a fix of working with little ones and being around a great group of people. I cannot wait for next winter and be able to experience an entire season with them. 

Thanks for some wonderful moments during my breaks from school. I really needed these brain breaks! 

TheChristyBel 

Too . Much . Shredding

Bowl Cut Brotherly Love

One of the Best Cuddlers!

He Had His Portrait Painted...Totally Accurate!

Some My Best Pioneer Party People!
Gonna Miss Them!

Finally Using My JHMR Season's Pass

Last Thursday, Marc was off from instructing and I was in desperate need of a brain break from writing my Master's paper. So we both were able to test out my winter legs again and do some personal runs on the mountain!

Let me just say I was really worried about riding down at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It just appears so intimidating compared to where I was at last year at Targhee. But Marc was pretty patient and allowed me to try a green before heading up the gondola! haha. So we took Teewinot up and I did a green run - totally had to remember what my legs, body, and feet were supposed to do...but got down the mountain very easily. So off my snowboard went, we unclipped and climbed into the Gondola. We were going to meet our friend, Sarah, at the Casper lift for lunch. Most of the paths to get there are blues and double-blues, which is where I left my skill level back at Targhee in April.

Simply just took my time working on turning and controlling how fast I wanted to go as we made our way down some traverses and down to the Casper lift. Not only did I survive my first time riding the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's runs but I enjoyed it! Not to mention had a few tumbles, but it was super entertaining for Marc to watch as I did fall, I mean, 'starfish' on a traverse and maybe fall when I was getting into the lift line...and...getting off the lift. All laughs everywhere and in between though!

Also, throughout my days where I was scheduled to work at the Pioneers' Kid Ranch - I was able to go straight from work to some snowboard breaks. Have not done any Blacks yet - I want to continue my technique and build up confidence on these blues. I'll get there - will just take some time and practice. And of course, I am still liking it! Oh....and PS....my knees are doing great!

TheChristyBel

Top of the Hanna Run - Midway Down from Apres Vous

Partying It Up with the Pioneers

Making Faces on the Gondola!

Today was my official last day with the Pioneers at the Mountain Sports School Kids Ranch; that is, until my spring break! Working at the Kids Ranch was by far a really fun job. The people you get to work with are incredibly awesome and laid back - they don't judge you or think less of you if you don't know how to ski. In fact, they are really supportive and are always willing to give you a few tips if you have a desire to learn. I'm really sad to be leaving to go back to school. I have met so many wonderful new friends through the mountain, that it is such a tease, that I have to leave again.

Pioneers was really fun. I even got to do a bit of teaching...which was really funny, since I don't ski. But since Pioneers ranges from 3-5 year olds, I was solely working on the Magic Carpet and instructors do not need skis to bring the little ones to the top of the carpet, then catch them as they come down, or shout out pizza to teach them to stop.

Didn't Go Anywhere Without That Rabbit!

Excited to Go Up!

It was just a great time, laughing with the children and fellow instructors, coloring, and getting lots of hugs and love from the kids! They pretty much love you and will show it too!

I got to meet a wide-variety of children too! Many of them were from all over the country (even from Delaware!!!)! Yes, that was a wonderful treat! I met two children from Hockessin, DE and I knew exactly where they were from and went to school! Ahhhh! And I even got to meet children from Australia and Brazil! It was super cute to hear different accents and to work on my Spanish, and well Portuguese! I definitely want to pick that back up because I felt so bad not understanding some of my children, and I am positive they did not understand me! Definitely want to work on that communication for next time I'm there!

Also, during my time working at JHMR, we got to take our students up the Gondola (not to always come back down in skis, but just for a round-trip. When I went up, we were able to see the inversion. Where it was pretty cloudy at the base, then bluebird skies when you got into the tree line. Our students loved it! They would wave to other passing cars and let us know what they were seeing. It was adorable!

Above the Clouds!

I'm sad to leave, but I will be back in a few weeks for spring break! Can't wait to be with little ones again and the new friends I have made! Ahhhh...I know the spring semester has barely started, but I'm already ready for spring break! Bah.

TheChristyBel

Jen & Her Girls
Hair Salon & Story Time Break!

Coloring During Break

This Little One is From Delaware!

Working at the Mountain

Besides working on my Masters paper and enjoying the Tetons, I also got a job! I am beyond excited to say I am working with the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the month! Since I really did not get any time with little ones while I was in Laramie, I am excited to be working with 3-5 year olds in the Pioneers area of the Kids' Ranch with the Mountain Sports School at the resort. I am not ski or snowboard instructing, but I get to assist in the Pioneers classroom. All in all, this means, baby time, well, Little Human time! The children I get to work with are sooo darn cute! Yes, a little bit of a handful at times, but are so darn cute and sweet! So if you're at the mountain on Saturday, Sunday, or Mondays....come visit!

I really love this job: working with little ones has been awesome! Getting a baby fix has been great (do not worry, it also reminds me how much I do not want any of my own) and its also helping me work on my Spanish speaking skills! We see a lot of children that do not speak English, so trying to communicate with them can be very challenging. But, I am slowly remembering a lot from middle and high school and freshmen year of college! It's all coming back to me! And the little ones definitely like to laugh at me when I say or pronounce things wrong. 

Can't wait until next Saturday!

TheChristyBel 

Got my Employee Seasons' Pass!

Literally Passed Out on the Table!
#toomuchshredding

Little Ones That Are in Love!
Warm Hugs!

Andrea Teaching Jimmy How to Do Clapping Games

Swinging at the Resort

After prepping a whole bunch of gear for the Teton eXplorations program's backcountry trip at the Jackson Campus, I decided to meet Marc at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village. And since I only had two hours to kill before I had to head back to Kelly Campus, we decided to leave mountain biking for Saturday and go on a hike instead. The hike was awesome - a bunch of switchbacks up a path called the Wildflower Trail. There were some awesome views...and then when we got probably half way up, we discovered something amazing...A SWING! Best hike ever!

Swinging into the Teton Valley!

Marc being a little child! Adorable!

Climbing up trees...or walking up trees?!?

A Cecropia Moth Chrysallis! So freaking cool!!!!!!

I Will Never Grow Up!

Best Hike Ever!

TheChristyBel