Keeping up with the Karlssons: Snowbunnies

With Spring in full effect, it hurts a little to think that our shelter in place started in the Winter, when there was snow still falling in the mountains. We had such hopes for this Winter, renting out season leases on snowboards for the three boys, and planning 3-4 weekends in the mountains with friends and family.

The very first cabin weekend was in a rental that housed 16 of us. Weekday snow blessed us with clear roads and fresh powder for our Friday night arrival, and we opted to stay home to play rather than hit the ski slopes.

First order of business for some of us was a hot tub soak before braving the snow. The kids were so eager to run outside, and each found their own space to romp and play however they wanted.

After getting our fill of snow (and feeling the cold in our toes) we hunkered inside for games, loafing, and snacks/wine. Each family brought their favorite games, and we all took turns teaching each other how to play. It was a ton of fun.

The next day we got serious for our first day on the slopes since 2019. Last year the younger boys just learned the basics: how to gear up, how to get on and off the lift, and how to feather down one edge. For my sanity, this year I wanted them to grow more independent. I didn't want to hear "Mamma, where's my _______?!?" and "Mamma, can you help me put on my ______?!?"

The boys took on their new responsibilities with enthusiasm-- Mattias told them if I got sick of prepping for these trips we would stop doing it all together. By lunch I started to relax a little and finally started to appreciate why many families spend their time (and money) on the slopes.

The following month we headed up to the Karlsson cabin for a special wintertime visit. By this visit Linus was advanced enough to practice carving and fast enough to keep up with me and Mattias. I finally accepted that no injuries and ending the day with a hot toddy was enough to call the day a success.

The following day Sierra at Tahoe was closed due to high winds, so we drove to Homewood, a small resort north of Emerald Bay. It turned out it was very windy there too, and we spent the day in icy and frigid conditions.

The cold was offset by the fantastic view of Lake Tahoe. This day will forever be remembered as the day Linus accidentally led us down a black diamond, followed by an icy, flat traverse back to the lift.

Mattias giving boys a pep talk before the black diamond.

Taking a break and enjoying the lake view

Our last ski weekend was March 13-15, I booked a townhouse rental at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club and we were lucky to get a foot of fresh powder that Saturday. This was their first time snowboarding while it was snowing, and navigating fresh powder was especially hard on the flat bits.

The day wore us out with the non-stop snowfall and Mattias ended up looking like a Yeti. Eventually they closed the park a little early due to high winds. We were so tired the boys fell asleep in the car.

Upon our return to the property we hit the hot tub before eating our Saturday candy, making dinner, and watching trashy cable TV.

The snowfall continued into the night and we woke up to a changed world. Schools had just announced closures and on this Sunday all ski resorts announced indefinite closures for the season. Wanting to avoid the rush home we opted to stay and play on the shore of Lake Tahoe instead.

Then hit the hot tub one last time before the long journey home.

We didn't get very far despite leaving at a time when there were fewer cars. After an hour of waiting in the same spot and a lot of snacks, we learned of a road closure due to avalanche control. I found a cheap hotel room and we went out for a sushi dinner. The boys were thrilled to spend another night in a hotel and even fought over who could sleep in the closet.

The journey home the next day was nothing short of epic. The snow never stopped falling, and despite having a 4 wheel drive the roads were too slippery to drive faster than 25mph. Snacks, audiobooks, and more snacks got us through the journey. But as we approached home we knew the world had changed, as shelter in place rules were announced across the Bay Area.