Ice Mountain

We (finally) went to Ice Mountain, an indoor skiing/snowboarding facility 20+ minutes from our place. We've driven past the big, supported ramp (looks a bit like a huge airplane wing) but only Cameron had been there before, a few months ago. We got there as the evening rates started - 21 euro/person for unlimited access between 5 and 11 p.m, including equipment rental. Not a bad deal! Cameron was decked out for snowboarding, Jordan, Nathan and I suited up for skiing. J and N have skied before but not often. The inside of the facility is pretty cool, especially for snow boarders and beginning skiers. There is a large "hill" with a snowboard park (jumps, rails and other things to "grind" on) on one side and a flat hill on the other side, with tow ropes on either side. Then there is a smaller hill, with a slower tow rope for beginners.

As soon as he was geared up, Cameron was out the doors to the snow and headed up the tow. He spent the next 4 hours (minus a dinner break) going up and down the hill. He's a natural snowboarder and after getting good air on a big jump a bunch of times, he tried the bigger jump - with a 5-6 foot gap between the take-off and landing - and cleared it without problem. He was in his element. The younger two started on the smaller hill, to get used to skis again and to get used to the pull of the tow rope. It didn't take long for them to get their ski legs going and they moved to the big hill with the fast tow. They were very happy to ride up and zoom down, making only enough turns to keep from crashing. There was a jump at the bottom of the run and they went for it every time. They could have stayed for days!

Starting on the ride back and over the last few days, I can't count how often they've asked when we'll go back and if there's a chance we'll go again next Sunday night. They obviously loved it, so we'll be going back. For me, having skied since I was in 4th grade, it wasn't much of a challenge and there wasn't much variety. When we go back I think I'll go for snowboarding, it'll be more challenging. (I've done it before, but not often and it's been a while.) But, it was a pretty cool place (pun intended), especially when standing at the windows at the top of the big hill and looking out at the green, warm, summery countryside below (windmill included).