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!

A First Time: Skiing

Never would I ever think that TheChristyBel would consider trying to ski.  I mean, through 18+ years of dance, there was never a thought that crossed my mind that I would put on a pair of skis and go down a mountain.  Until November 2013!  So crazy to think!

So for Thanksgiving Break, I did not venture back to the East Coast.  Although I am missing it terribly and so much right now, I think I did the right choice and decided to try and journey somewhere new.

A fellow TSS graduate, Mandy, invited me to visit her boyfriend and friends in Vail, Colorado.  Knowing this place is a huge ski town, I was mentally prepared and ready to at least TRY this winter sport that is such the craze out here in the west! SKIING!  Please, pray for me right now.

On Sunday morning, I grabbed my snow pants and jacket, a hat, gloves, and a discount coupon from Mandy's boyfriend and we went to the slope!  Incredibly thankful for the discount coupon for a lift ticket, borrowing one of her boyfriend's friend's boots and skis, and a generous-free ski lesson from her boyfriend, I was able to dish out 'pennies' compared to what a normal person would pay to get onto the mountain.  So incredibly grateful to try this sport out at a smaller fee than the usual.

Lionshead Vail, CO.
Yes, I skiied down this...not gracefully, but survived!

Not going to lie, I was really nervous...ok, I lied again, I was terrified!  I mean, sure there is a dancer in that body somewhere, but still I am incredibly clumsy, not balanced or coordinated to tackle on huge skis to a tiny ChristyBel.  Holy moly!

TheChristyBel Ready to Ride Up the Gondola and Get a Lesson.

Riding up the 7-minute gondola ride, I prepped my boots, my poles, and said a last-minute prayer!  Haha.

Traveling Up the Mountain!

Very cool way to travel up compared to the lift seats.

Mandy's boyfriend had me learn at first with one ski on, then alternate to the other, then with both to get the feel for the skis on the snow and the slightest slope.  Then it was time to try it on the 'bunny slope,' not to mention, without poles.  It was pretty fun actually!  Although incredibly scary and nerve-wrecking, I learned how to 'wedge, lift, turn, stomp' and of course the 'pizza, french fry' techniques.

Documented: First Time TheChristyBel is on Skis.
Never Would Have Dreamed This Day Would Come.

Going down the beginner, bunny slopes for half the day was perfect...I totally did not want to try anything remotely more challenging.  However, Mandy and Phil did have me go down the mountain on the green circle courses.  And well, it was not at all dancer-like graceful, and I may have toppled and run into the banks a few times, but I survived down the mountain.

Attempting to Use Poles Going Down the Mountain.

Incredibly Thankful for Two Patient Friends Helping Me Down.
Hope They Were Entertained By Me that Day!

My Learning Environment.

So they also let me try to work on what I had learned by myself.  So while they went down a few runs, I remained on the bunny hill trying to just get a hang of having skis on and working on turns.  My left turn is pretty solid....however, my right turn: not so much.  Still working on it!

Going Up the Ski Lift to Try Again!

Lots of People to Watch Out For...Aka, Me Not Run into Them!

Overall, even though I may have toppled, tumbled, twisted, and challenged my body to a new sport, I had a blast learning to ski!  I definitely am contemplating trying to find some used skis and boots to have when I go back to Jackson.  All smiles for the most part too!  Maybe I almost cried when going down the mountain, but overall, all smiles!  I definitely want to try to keep this up!

All Smiles Learning to Ski!

Danny, Robert, and I About to Ski Back to Eagles Nest

Thanks to Mandy and her boyfriend, I had a great time learning to ski and incredibly grateful for the help and connections!

Mandy & I Being Ski Bunnies!

Survived and Conquered...and not going to lie, kinda hooked!
TheChristyBel