For years my life in Telluride was oozing with typical powder day chitchat. “How much did we get last night?”; “Is there more coming?”; “I hear it’s pouring in Los Angeles.”; “Which skis should I ski on today?”; “Should we take another run, or wait for them to drop Gold Hill rope?” It’s an addictive topic of conversation—living in a ski town and all (even visiting one for that matter)—and while I still partake in the yakking and absolutely adore indulging in a ski day after a hefty storm, I find myself looking also forward to non-powder days up on the hill. (Fifteen years ago I would have guffawed if you told me those words would escape my lips.) Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about getting out there on a gray day to slam hard bumps in my fat skis; I’m talking about tearing up chairs 1 and 10, even 4 and 5, with my toddler. Now almost 3, she started skiing last season before she was 2. I don’t know if it’s the culture and vibe that surround her here, or the fact that her dad and I are so passionate about the sport, but she truly loves to ski. A week before the ski area opened this year she said, “Mommy, it’s almost time for ski season…I can’t wait.” That did it…I dug her skis and boots out of the closet before I even pulled out my own. She’s not quite strong enough to stop on her own (although I think she’s close) so we have her on a harness. It’s great because it teaches her balance and the sensation of stopping, turning, slowing down, edging, but she’s still under my control. Her low center of gravity works to her advantage (hers is particularly low as she’s rather petite for her age) and that lack of fear (ignorance is bliss) is no hindrance either. She cruises, and not only that, she wiggles her tush and dances while putting her edgie-wedgie to work. Last season, we not only mastered chairs 1 and 10, we skied Polar Queen* on Chair 5, Butterfly on Chair 4 and on closing day, she ripped the Telluride Trail** top to bottom with only one minor wipeout. To watch her progress throughout the season and to see the perma-grin plastered to her face was more of a thrill than I ever imagined. In all honesty, I really don’t consider myself one of those competitive parents. I wasn’t out to get her on as many runs as possible, but she was ready and eager. (She has her own trail map so she looks at all the runs she’s skied and wants to ski.) In fact, I didn’t think we’d even start her so young and was also entirely open to the fact that she might hate it. But she loves it and all I can say now is that when your kid loves what you love…well, it really doesn’t get much better than that. *Editor’s Note #1: I did swoop her up and carry her down the steep sections. **Editor’s Note #2: The Telluride Trail is quite the thigh burn. Don’t be fooled; you may think you’re out for an easy day, sans exercise, but taking your little one is quite the workout.