Banff, Canada - May 2010

So far this trip we have already been to San Diego for 3 days for a conference and meetings, Calgary for 3 days for David delivering a program and a talk and now Banff for 7 days of rest and recuperation.

Last year I requested that David take this week off. It includes my birthday (1st), Trinity's birthday (7th) and mothers day (2nd sunday of May), so this really is the big family week of the year, at least in my book.

David decided that the perfect week would be in Banff, as he surely loves to snow board. So we booked into the Sunshine Village Lodge, the only ski in accommodation in Banff, and the only field still open so late in the season.

The snow to date had been fairly poor with a base of 150cm only. But it started snowing from the time we arrived and only stopped in patches for the whole time we were there. With 20cm of powder over our time there, we were happy.

There was a wonderful day care place for when the girls couldn't face the onslaught of snow each day, when it was too cold to deal with a lesson. And they loved it. Because it was the end of the season the day care had space and toys enough for 40 kids, and only the two girls on some days to enjoy the attention of the carers who, like all the other staff on the mountain seemed to be Australian.

The girls had toboggan runs there too, and India would have occasional ski lessons during her stay in day care, which she loved. By the time she left she could keep her ski's together and laughed loudly when gaining speed going downhill.

Trinity on the other hand, took on the snow board for the first time and had three lessons over the week. It was a hard debate between boarding and skiing, won over ultimately by the understanding that boarding was 'cooler' though a bit harder upfront. On the last day she travelled all afternoon with David on big mountain runs, and loved it.

Each day after the lifts had closed we sat in the hot tub, with occasional trips out to make snow angels in the snow. The weather was magic with snow falling most of the time, and with sunny patches too. And because it was spring the sun did not set until 9pm.

David and I got to board in 2ocm of powder, the best snow I have ever been on, with an awesome mountain or three to choose from. Our favourite was Goat's Eye mountain, which was pretty much pure black diamond runs. From Alpine slopes at the top, through frozen creeks arounds the side, tree filled gullies and lots of jumps, we had a ball. This is my second trip after having kids, and I really found my feet again on the board.

Trinity's brithday was the last full day on the slopes and David started it with an snow cake with icicle candles that were blown out.

David took Trinity snowboarding for the afternoon, then we went down the mountain for a special night out in the town of Banff itself, finding a nice vegetarian restaurant called 'Nourish'. She had a great day.

We then left early the next morning for our next adventure - Blue School in New York.

Below is a video of India skiing and Trinity boarding - I am sorry it is sidewards, but I dont know how to change the orientation!



Here is Trinity boarding with her dad.