As I sit here watching the pouring rain pounding against my window on a mid-July summer day, I can’t help but think that in six more months all this rain will be snow and I will be sitting here eager for the work week to end so I can hit the slopes on the weekend.
My favourite hill
The perfect ski day is getting up on a Saturday morning and realizing that it just snowed 10-15 cm overnight and the temperature is at a balmy -5 degrees celcius. I wake up my tween son and say “We’re going skiing!” We get up at 8:00 am, pack our lunch and gear, and drive 15 minutes east of Prince George to Tabor Mountain in plenty of time for lift opening at 9:30 am. I always think about how lucky we are in Prince George to have a great ski hill in our backyard that is affordable and great for all levels of skiiers and snowboarders alike.
Why I love Tabor Mountain
My uncle taught me to ski on this hill when I was 5 years old and I later taught my son to ski here when he was 3. I remember that day fondly. I took him on the triple chair lift for his first run ever. We did well on the dismount … no falling! I then proceded to take him on the Easy Rider run. It took us 2 ½ hours to complete the run with me bent over and holding him between my skis the entire time. I got to the bottom of the hill and, although my back was in so much pain I couldn’t stand up straight, it was all worth it as he exclaimed, “Mommy, I did it, again!” We had a bite to eat and did another run. That was it for the day. He has come a long way since that day as I can barely keep up with him now.
Anyways…back to my ski day. We are the first ones on the lift and the first to make tracks in the fresh powder. Most of the time I stick to the groomed runs, but I do enjoy making fresh tracks even though it means a few wipe outs here and there. Skiing is a great stress reliever for me. There is nothing better than being out in the fresh air, doing something I love, and spending time with my son. We ski 8 runs, break for lunch, and then ski another 8 runs in the afternoon. We then drive 15 minutes back home. As my son goes to his retreat in the basement to play Xbox, I hit the hot tub in the back yard, tired and relaxed. A great way to end the week!
To discover more outdoor activities, visit the Things to See & Do page.
