If you’re anything like me, you gave up a few things when you became a parent – late nights out on the town, heels and sleeping in on weekends.
They all say – stay true to yourself! Find time for you! And as much as we all want to believe that and TRY – it’s just not that easy. It only takes five minutes to meditate a day they say, but as any parent can attest, that’s easier said than done.
Case in point, the last time I was ever on a snowboard was 10 years ago. 10 YEARS. I still have the lift ticket on my jacket to prove it.
And it’s not like I haven’t wanted to, but time just slips away. I stare at my board every winter and basically say we WILL go! But I moved to NYC, and I didn’t have a car, then I got pregnant, then it was 4 years and I didn’t think I would be any good.
6 years went by and I gave up and moved my snowboard into storage.
Then two years ago for Christmas, we went to Colorado and I was determined to get on the board. I even signed Max up for lessons in Grandby. But, unfortunately, life had other plans. This was the resort that that poor mother died falling out of the ski lift trying to save her daughters. It shut down the entire resort (and Winter Park up the road was totally booked up for the holidays).
I gave up my past life as a snowboarder.
Then a couple months ago, Nicole Feliciano approached me about it, being the HUGE skier that she is and asked why I am not on the slopes and how to help me get up there. It seems so simple to say let’s just go, but travel as a parent requires planning, and something like snowboarding requires lessons (without parents) and tagging kids along usually means you’re not going to get a lot of slope time in, and if you’re paying for all this – it’s a huge undertaking (lift tickets, equipment rentals, lessons, hotels, meals….).
But that’s the price of something you love, right?
So I took her up on her offer to get me back on the slopes for 2019. This would be the year, I mean it was a 10-year anniversary. Why not.
Why Windham Mountain
Windham Mountain Resort is only 2.5 hours from NYC (and in the heart of the Catskills, one of my favorite areas!).
Windham Mountain Resort is the Kids Friendly Snowboard Resorts NYC for Families and Kids. It’s a smaller and quieter mountain town with plenty of fresh powder and extra long trails. Since Hunter Mountain is more popular with a younger, wilder crowd, Windham allows a more intimate place for families and less traffic on the slopes. Plus, they have some of the BEST ski schools around.
Children’s Learning Center
This place rocks – they have it down to a science and as a parent, I really appreciate that. Not only can you drop of kids for lessons, they have a “daycare” center for kids to play so adults can get some slope time in. YES. Who knew? Now you do.
Windham also allows you to pull right up front of the resort in Valet to drop off the kids (and you’ll see tons of parents doing this at 8am for the lessons). You sign in for their rentals, get them fitted and then drop them off – BYE! – and come back around 11:30/12pm for pick up. **I recommend getting them two-day rentals and/or lessons where you can get the rentals the night before to save time before the lesson in the am!
The “bunny hills” are right at the bottom of the main hills so you can pop-in to check in on them at any time (and they probably won’t even notice you!).
After each lesson, your child will get a “report card” that will let you know how well they did that day, what they need to work on etc.
How did Max do? HE LOVED IT. He did so great he’s ready for a green hill next time!
Adult’s Only
Ok so I know what your burning question is – how did I do after 10 years off the board? To be honest, I was anxious. I took a fellow skier with me who hadn’t been in a couple years to be my snow buddy, and they asked if I really needed to take a bunny hill. What? LOL. Not THIS GIRL. I strapped in and slid my way over to the lift (a GREEN lift but still a lift people).
It’s a long ride to the top, which doesn’t help with anxiety, but I knew if was all or nothing. Even if I stumbled on my way down and it took the full morning to do one ride, I was doing it.
But really – it’s just like riding a bike. I put on my headphones, jammed out and shredded (almost) like I was 27 again. In total, I got five runs in before I had to get Max, and I fell – okay more like bit it – a couple times (I think I might lose my thumbnail), but I came off that mountain a new person. Revived. They say runner’s high is real? Try jumping off a mountain after 10 years. You WILL feel like a rockstar.
Want proof? Watch video feed of me on my board on my snowboarding highlights here.
Kid-Friendly, City-Approved
Windham Mountain Resort is full of little surprises. Like the fact that they have Vegan eating options in the cafe area and in their sit-down restaurant, Seasons. They also have a delightful ice cream sundae and tequila. Plus, it’s families for DAYS in here. The best part was sitting down to eat at Seasons and actually getting some adult time while Max ran around and enjoyed playing with new friends while a live band played.
This is happiness folks. The snow crowd knows how to kid-friendly and Windham excels in that department.
In the small town below the mountain, there are a handful of really great restaurants (and kid-friendly!) as well. We hugely enjoyed our meal at MillRock. It was some of the best pasta I’ve had in a while, and they have an impressive (and affordable!) wine list and wood-fired oven pizzas.
Another favorite was the local pizzeria, Zerega’s, owned by two old Italians who we immediately fell in love with. Not to mention the pizza was the best Max has ever had (or claims), and their split pea soup was homemade and perfect after a cold day on the slopes.
We also stayed at the Winwood Inn (which is a Windham Mountain Resort property). While it’s a little dated, it’s cozy and serves its purpose. It also is a stop on the shuttle so you don’t have to drive up to the resort to snowboard. I’d also like to mention that they have a rather tasty Mexican cantina in the lobby that has an impressive happy hour (and a late night happy hour from 8-9pm) that you can go do for one in your pajamas. The fireplace (and outdoor fire pit) also make it pretty cozy for the kids so it doesn’t feel like you’re in a rowdy bar.
Tubular
Let’s also not forget that Windham has a fun tube hill. You can grab a four-hour pass to ride as much as you want, and you can go doubles or triples on a track at the same time. Bonus – they have a lift for you and tubes at the bottom so you don’t have to lug them back up!
Will we be back?
Of course! I think it was the perfect destination to us to dip our toes into the snow. We didn’t feel nervous around ultra skiers and boarders, and were instead surrounded by a lot of easy goers and families. The staff was also really nice, and even offered to take some photos for us.
Still scared?
You’re not the only one. Windham Mountain actually has a “face your fears” program where you can go for a 3-day immersion trip and program to go face-to-face with your on-mountain fears. This year is January 23-25 for $940. I’m considering it just because I could tackle some black diamonds again. Anyone else want to join?
What’s the cost of a ski weekend?
Well, let’s be honest. Like other elite sports, snow sports are not cheap. But it’s an investment – if you really love it and own your own equipment, getting a season pass is definitely a lot more affordable. Plus at Windham, you only need a lift ticket for the mountain. If you’re little one just wants to try the bunny hill with you, you won’t have to pay for one until they’re ready.
Our hotel: Winwood Inn was $271 per night (but you could split that with a fellow mom/child).
Lift tickets: range $49-87 depending on date (also cheaper if you buy online in advance!); double diamond season pass is $1479 for an adult and 6 and under is only $60!
Adventure Camp Lessons: half day $78/ full day $150
Rental equipment add-on: $30 (includes a helmet)
Tubing:
We received complimentary snowboarding equipment and overnight accommodations to facilitate this article. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting FootballFoodandMotherhood.com.
