The idea to downhill ski together as a family sounded great – on paper. The plan was that my hubbie and I would take our threesome to ski lessons in the morning, which would give us time to ski together as a couple (remember those days?), and our kids would join us in the afternoon for a few runs “en famille”. Then we would return home with tired, but happy kids and the knowledge that we’d had a quality outing.

In reality, the ski experience turned out to be very different. I should have known that ‘Plan A’ would be derailed when I was nearly defeated by the logistics of organizing the kids and their ski equipment, a mound and a half of ski clothes and packing a suitable lunch (P & J sandwiches and veggies). By the time we loaded all the equipment and bodies into the mommy van, did a head count and rechecked the kiddies’ ski equipment – two sets of skis and poles, one snowboard, three sets of boots – I am in a total sweat. But, I remain positive because: a) I am already burning calories and b) I have decided this will be great family day.

The ride to the ski hill was uneventful – perhaps that was the proverbial lull before the storm? – and we even found a parking space that did not require a 15-minute hike to the base of the hill in boots clearly not designed for walking. First glitch of the day: youngest child refused to join the learn-to-ski group and had a mommy attack of such epic proportions that my “couple” plan was immediately torpedoed. Second glitch: tween’s best friend failed to show for their group lesson and apparently, it is not cool to attend a group without your support network. Third glitch: middle child refused to miss any potential fun created by his siblings’ decisions. Plan A was out the window.

That’s when we hit the final glitch: my skis were not in the car. At this stage, my husband astutely recognized that he had entered dangerous territory, so he took our little guy (now being carried) and dragged the two other kids to the nearest lift line. I took myself to the ski rental shop, where I was outfitted in the latest high-tech skis guaranteed to make skiing stressless (a very good thing).

Although I watched for my family during the next few hours on the slopes, funny that I did not spot them. Turned out my husband twisted his neck on the first run – probably from the swivel head needed to track our zippy threesome. Much to the delight of the kids, however, they were all loaded on ski patrol toboggans to the first aid shack, where they practiced emergency rescue procedures, drank hot chocolate and were treated to a lunch of hot dogs and pizza. I was happy because I already had supper ready – P & J sandwiches and veggies – and the kids had a learning experience. It was a great family ski day.