This past weekend we took a little getaway to Winter Park, CO for some skiing and relaxation. It was our first time visiting this ski area and we weren’t quite sure what to expect. A ton of people from Denver with families go there for skiing (seems like more of a secret Denver spot) so we were anxious to try it. We stayed at our friends’ condo and had such a fantastic time all weekend, skiing, hot tubbing (or using the “hot pool” as Ella Rose and Owen called it), and eating 😉 . We drove up Friday afternoon and got there in about an hour and half (and only an hour and 15 minutes on the way home)…pretty convenient. I can definitely see why Winter Park is appealing for families; it is so close and a great mountain getaway for a weekend.

When we arrived Friday afternoon we went to this amazing, family friendly pizza place called Hernandos.  It was a perfect cozy, wintry spot, and the pizza was terrific! After filling up, we headed back to the condo to jump in the hot tub. The kids were obsessed with the “hot pool,” treating it as their own little swimming pool as they swam across from corner to corner.  The next morning we of course spent our two hours gearing up for the slopes.  We signed Ella Rose up for her first ski lesson, while Owen and I got lunch and sat at the base of the mountain to eat.

Brendan also skied while Ella Rose was in her lessons and popped over a few times to check on her progress. We signed her up for a group lesson (max 5 children), not expecting much and being prepared that if she hated it we wouldn’t ski much more this winter. However, because we were just on time / a little late (per usual),  she ended up lucking out and getting her own private instructor. This was a blessing. She spent the 3 hours one on one with the instructor. She learned the basics of “pizza” skiing, balancing, and speed; and even skied the greens with her instructor. I was shocked and so impressed because I just thought she’d stay on the bunny hills like most beginners. They even took the snow mobiles up the mountain and skied down. I was so excited to hear she excelled so quickly; especially given my past skiing performances 🙂 (I broke my leg skiing two years ago). It was just a proud moment for me to hear how well she did with something that was so new to her and that she enjoyed so much. She did not want the lessons to end and also wanted to ski again on Sunday 😉 . We are so happy she loved it and can’t wait to take her much more next winter.

I also think Owen will love it, seeing how he is such a dare devil! We can’t wait to get him out there next winter as well. After skiing all day, we went back to the condo, hot tubbed it again, made dinner, drank some wine (not me of course, but I can’t wait to open a bottle of pinot post babe) and hung out with our friends. We really enjoyed Winter Park and definitely plan on going back. We can’t thank our friends Zac and Sarah enough for inviting us up to their place and creating a memorable weekend!

Until next time Winter Park!

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XO Jillian