Ski School for Kids - the parenting form guide.

In the second part of my Canada series, I look at ski school and in particular, how to send your kids off to learn to ski without suffering a nervous breakdown, dying of guilt or leaving them scarred for life.

As any skier (and I use the term to collectively include snowboarders) knows, ski school is a necessary part of ski life. If you intend to get better at this sport, you will at some stage need to invest (and I do mean invest, it ain't cheap) in ski lessons.

As adults, this is, of course, a choice we make knowing that despite the discomfort (bathroom stops whilst wearing 5 layers clothing including all-in-one hell suits, cold, wet days, throwing oneself down steep mountains) we should theoretically emerge a better skier.

Our kids on the other hand, often have no choice, and they shouldn't really, as very few of them would volunteer to spend a week in a new school, with new friends, new teachers and the very high probability that they will get cold and wet at some point and possibly execute some falls along the way. It's not really an easy, calm safe sport to learn. But it is SOOOO worth it, as we ski elders know.

Once the skills are acquired, the kilometres skied and the magnificent mountain scenery has been experienced, in most cases, the skier is hooked. For life. And so it follows that we must also hook our kids to this sport so that we can go on and travel to snowy climes for the rest of our lives with our amenable kids in tow.

So here are 3 tried and tested strategies we used on our recent trip which enabled us to enjoy a largely drama-free ski school experience.

Give them a Preview
Before we went, I was feeling anxious about how our youngest child, 4 years old, would react to 2 weeks in ski school. It wasn't that long ago, after all, that he'd finally settled into daycare and we were able to enjoy cry-free drop-offs each day. So I embarked on a series of couch youtube sessions with him where we watched kids having fun skiing. We chatted about the gear they wore, the skis, the snow and generally familiarised him with what happens when you go skiing. He started to feel excited and wanted to experience it. Things were looking good...

Teddy and Orsie after ski school.

Be strong and walk away
So once we'd make it to Whistler, and we had wrangled the kids into the 15 layers they would need to take on a day in sub-zero conditions, we took them to ski school. As with most things in Whistler and the North Amercian ski resorts like it, ski school is very well organised. There are fun, welcoming, youthful ski instructors waiting to welcome the kids individually. For the little ones, there are fluffy toys and choc chip cookies awaiting them in their classroom. You just have to get them through this initial introduction and drop-off moment, and you're done, but this moment is not an easy one. Not in my experience.

We had a happy, excited 4-year-old as we approached the ski school, but by the time we introduced Ted to his lovely new teacher Scot, we had tears. And screaming and clinging. Ted was so tightly attached to me that I could have run down the street without holding him and he would have clung on with all 4 limbs like a little koala. He was not budging. With Scot and I both prizing away fingers, promising cookies, hot chocolates and fun times, Ted was not going for it. He was red-faced, crying and desperate to stay with his Mama. It's safe to say that at this point that I felt like someone was stabbing my heart with a large knife. I felt DREADFUL. My baby needed me, he was scared and would have done anything for me to cuddle him up, take him back to our hotel room and snuggle. So what did I do? I left him there, with lovely Scot and walked away feeling broken, gutted and utterly devastated.

As I moped to the lift queue to meet the other adults, I reminded myself that one day he would thank me, that surely within minutes he'd be smiling and eating cookies and that this gift we were giving him would deliver him years of fun memories and adventures. But that day I struggled to put that farewell out of my mind. Was he still crying? Would I hear from the ski school soon? Would they know where to reach me? Would they tell me he was just too upset to partake in the day's activities??

Sure enough at 3pm when I returned to ski school, Ted was strutting around in his ski boots and entertaining his classmates. When he spotted me he ran to me with a huge grin and outstretched arms and told me how he'd been doing flips. (Exaggeration is something he gets from me). The day was fun. He'd enjoyed his day. He learned some things. He had laughed. His teacher assured me the tears were short-lived and he went on to spend a day on the snow with friends laughing and learning. Oh my god THE RELIEF.

Teddy dancing out of ski school.

And that was the worst of it. He still cried at some of the future drop-offs but not for long and not with the same level of abject fear. He understood what was going to happen and he was ok with it. By the end of the 14 days, he missed Scot.

Remind them of it after the event
I'm presently experimenting with this idea and here's my theory. That by keeping the fun alive and reminding the kids of the fun they had skiing, they will again look forward to it and get excited at the prospect of skiing. I'm having the ski school photos framed and we'll find a nice place for them at home. I've looked at photos of the trip with them already and they've both asked when we're going back. The cold and uncertainty has been forgotten for now, and so hopefully with another year of life experience under their belts, the next trip, and its set of drop-offs will be that little bit easier.

Market Finds in Hobart town

Locally grown produce.

Well I've just returned from 5 lovely days in Tasmania visiting my gorgeous Dad, his wife Jane and their delightful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Max. It was a great opportunity for us to spend some time together again and for Dad to see his grandson Orson.

We had a jam-packed itinerary with very little time spent lying around and reading. It was back to back sight-seeing - you see I am very intrigued with Tassie and I want to get to know her better.

Salamanca Markets, Hobart.

On day 1 it was all about Salamanca Markets. Held every Saturday in the centre of Hobart, these markets have become a real favourite of mine. Of course it has the usual boring stalls that seem to pop up at all markets selling dull looking wooden clocks and photos of the ocean and countless crafty ones as well. But on top of that it does boast some much cooler ones in my opinion like former SMH food critic Matt Evan's Tassie Rare Foods produce stall.

Mat Evans selling home-reared pork products.

This time I was keen to pick up some great seeds (I know, life in the fast lane) for our garden and the community garden. I found a fabulous stall selling all manner of appealing seeds. Heirloom tomatoes, Italian Parsley (the really broad leafed one), capsicums, Borlotti beans and more. Then I also managed to find a magnificent Horseradish plant which I am incredibly excited about planting. But seeds and plants aside, a friend had told me how great the vintage clothing stalls were, the place where he managed to find some original American war time cargo pants. So I wanted to rummage through the clothes stalls too. Well, I was a very, very happy camper.

Me in my Bavarian walking hat.

I found two very exciting items. A Bavarian walking hat complete with original Tyrolean badges including one from Val D'Isere. I LOVE this hat. It's slightly too small but it's felt so I hope to find some clever soul who can stretch it for me.

My rabbit jacket. (Looks better on)

And the other fabulous item I found was an amazing rabbit fur jacket. It's completely unlined but absolutely fantastic. Just so chic. It's that great hip length that works so well with skinny jeans and heels but also short enough to work well atop a fun print dress this Spring. Its the most magnificent shades of creamy caramel. LOVE it.

A Food Tour of Singapore

So I've just returned from a trip to Singapore with my friend Pippa visiting our other friend Prue where we have done many fun and exciting things however nothing more, than my favourite pastime, eating.

Myself and Pippa sampling Singapore Chili Crab, Chinatown.

Restaurants, bars, hawker markets, home cooked treats, street stalls... the lot. Highlights  have included a warm and delicious meal with friends at Italian restaurant, "No Menu", pre dinner crab rolls and tempura prawns at "Kinky" a youthful and beautifully positioned bar which doesn't take itself too seriously, the mouthwateringly good soupy dumplings at "Din Tai Fung", chili crab at a market in Chinatown and delicious roti prata at "Mr Prata". And then there was the wonderfully light and fragrant salmon and roasted salad served to Pippa on I arrival from Prue's generous and kind helper Bernie.

Then there was the outstandingly good ramen and gyoza courtesy of unfussy and small cafe "Miharu Sapporo" at the Gallery Hotel at Robertson Quay which beat previous record holder on my book of "Best Ramen" sampled in January in Grand Hirafu, Japan.

Pork Ramen in miso broth.

Gyoza.
And then there was the toasted ham and Gouda sandwich at the Hollandse Club... And I also discovered that favorite ice creamery of mine "Cold Rock" at the glam new Marina Bay Sands. Always worth a drop in. My tip? The Aussie Vanilla ice cream with smashed Oreos, Maltesers and Mars Bar.

Japan - a photo essay

We saw some beautiful things in Japan. Here are some I wanted to share with you.
This is a homemade Sake menu made by a gorgeous Canadian girl called Johanna who together with her very cool Japanese DJ husband, owned the best bar in Hirafu. The Fridge Door Bar.

The Fridge Door Bar

More scenes from the Fridge Door Bar (great Italian wine by the glass).

I'm obsessed with sake bottles.

and lanterns.

and just look at this divine waitress. She works in Mina Mina, a fantasticly funky traditional Japanese restaurant  in Hirafu.

Check out Prudie's fabulous Moncler ski jacket. What a waist!

My gorgeous husband taking in the view from a gondola at Annupuri.

This was the beautiful owner of Myojinkan the onsen resort we stayed at in Matsumoto.

Mount Fuji from the train.

Mumma and bubba asleep on the train.

Birds Ski Trip

Well I'm feeling rather chilled and I owe it all to my lovely friend Tana. You see Tana kindly hosted a group of keen ski chicks at her wonderfully warm and comfortable home in Jindabyne for a long weekend. After months of night wakings and looking after little Orson 24/7, it was just the tonic I needed.

By night, we cooked for each other, laughed and drank nice wines and by day, of course we skied like demons, (see Pippa below, skiing like a demon).

"But what did you eat?" I hear you cry. Well, on night 1, Trudie and I cooked veal and pork meatballs with tagliatelle and a simple green salad. On night 2, we were treated to a magnificent two course (!!) feast by Liz and Sasha which consisted of white wine and 3 cheese risotto for entree followed by Lizzie's amazing herb baked chicken and fennel with crispy baked potato AND a fabulous pear, walnut, parmesan and rocket salad. YUM! Meal of the weekend in my eyes. On night 3 Nicola L and Pippa cooked 2 fabulous pasta dishes - one featuring that wonderful combintion of anchovy, chili, oil and lemon and the other a wonderful brocollini and fetta number. So as you can see, we didn't go without.

And on the slopes we made the most of the recent snowfalls and the expertise of two of Thredbo's finest instructors - Federico and Lucas. Ferderico (whom I had the pleasure of learning from), a Marketing/Business student from Venice, took us through various "exercises" (drills) to get us to lean further forward and more downhill. He had his work cut out for him trying to get us to ski with our skis shoulder width apart... we're all such ladylike skiers you see. 

And of course it wouldn't be a birds ski trip if we didn't finish the skiing with a run backwards down Friday Flat... which we did much to our own hilarity... but it wasn't as funny as Tana skiing over the embankment at the bottom of Crackenback.... see below... gold. 

Ah til next year ladies. 

The Little Apple

A few weekends ago, Trent and I took our first holiday alone since Orsie was born and what a nice break it was. No early wake-ups, no middle of the night feeds... just the two of us chilling out in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Well, in the little town of Bilpin to be more precise.

As you can see below, the cabin was tiny (the Disco gave it a run for its money size wise) but not short on charm and warmth. For some reason, I neglected to read up on our digs before arriving (most unlike me, must have been busy sterilising bottles) and so I found myself worrying all the way up the Bells Line of Road about whether or not there would be an open log fire in our cabin. Ah yes, there was, and she was a real beauty.

Bilpin is tucked away up in the Blue Mountains (up the hill from Richmond) and as you probably know, is best known for its fruit - particularly apples. We stayed at the very cosy Ghost Hill Road b&b www.ghosthillroad.com.au hosted by welcoming and energetic Brenda McCartney. Brenda owned a yoga studio in Sydney for 20 years before making the tree change to Bilpin with her husband to open Ghost Hill Road.  She takes a yoga class every morning on the sun drenched verandah of her home at 9am. I however, had to give that a miss. After all, I had a date with my old pal SLEEP.


We dined at the nearby Apple Bar in Bilpin (below) and fell in love with their signature pizzas. I took care of a chevre and prosciutto pizza and Trent inhaled the pizza chorizo. It seems weird to be blown away by a salad, but blown away we were by the delicious rocket, pear, pine nut and pecorino salad. So good. Of course no meal is complete without pudding and for us it was the very rich and luscious flourless Belgian chocolate cake.

In my opinion, one can't journey to the Blue Mountains (or the Southern Highlands for that matter) without partaking in the ritual that is the Devonshire Tea and so we did. Once again, we weren't disappointed. Brenda recommended Sassafrass Creek www.sassafrascreek.com.au and for good reason. We were a little sceptical about what sort of tucker we would find in nearby Kurrajong but this little gem delivered. The perfect scones - warm, comforting and delicate accompanied with just enough jam and cream. The cafe also serves as a gift shop and local artisans (of which there seem to be many) and crafty types sell their wares here. Once again proving that one can shop in the most unlikely of destinations.

Phuket

As mentioned previously, Orsie and I decided to tag along with Trent on his trip to tropical Phuket for the iMedia conference and let's just say, it was gooood! Having never been to Thailand before, I was pretty taken with the very small part I saw. Everything I'd heard prior to the trip was true: genuinely friendly people, incredibly tasty and fresh food and relentless heat.

Orsie and I spent our days exploring the beautiful Indigo Pearl resort, the nearby Nai Yang beach (Andaman Sea) and the tiny beach side village which lay just outside the resort back gate. But for me it was all about the food. And boy, did I eat. Since Trent was in the conference all day for 3 days, I made it my business to graze my way through the room service menu which was full of really delicious local Thai food. Wonderful spicy flavours, steamed greens I'd never seen before and the best crab cakes I've EVER tasted. I was just thrilled to see that the menu was made up of local and traditional options not tailored to generic global tourism.

On that same track, I was surprised by the limited English spoken by all the hotel staff. To be honest, at first I found myself feeling irritated - it took several minutes sometimes to book a nanny or order a meal but after a day or so I realised that this was a good thing. How cool to really have to try and communicate with someone from somewhere else. I actually felt like I was travelling for a moment there! Rare in 2010 I think.

Tales of the Exotic Far East

So it can be done. In April, Orsie and I travelled to Singapore and Thailand to accompany Trent on a business trip. Oh yes, I was definitely apprehensive about boarding a plane for seven hours with a five and a half month old baby, anxious even but god love him, he seemed to really enjoy the experience.

So I caught up with the gorgeous Prudie and was even able to be there to celebrate a few birthdays (Prue's, Anthony's and Nicole's). We celebrated on a Friday night overlooking the bright lights of Singapore at the Orgo bar. A seriously hot and steamy night (as seems to be the case almost always in Singapore) cooled down with a few glasses of refreshing French, chilled beers and lots of party food. And there was no shortage of food. I for one sampled many of the tasty rissole sandwiches which were a surprising but very tasty accompaniment for the champers.

Other Singapore activities included lots of swimming, hanging at the Hollandse Club (more swimming), tennis, lunches with Prue's new Singers friends, dinners, a workout with Prue and Nicole's delightful trainer, Leigh... oh, and a spot of shopping.