It was perfectly set up. My boys were to take their very first ski lesson in gorgeous Mont Tremblant while I indulged in a relaxation massage at the Le Westin Resort & Spa. My husband, a novice skier who was keen to introduce our boys to winter sports, was in charge of bringing them to the bunny hill and overseeing their lessons. We had a plan.
“Take pictures!” I said.
“You know I will!” he replied.
However, 15 minutes before my massage commenced, I received a phone call from my husband informing me that he and the boys had been separated into different groups at the hill. “They’ll be okay,” he assured me.
And I knew they would be. They were signed up for private ski lessons and the instructors at Tremblant Snow School are world-class. I knew they were in the best hands possible. Except all of a sudden… I realized what I would be missing. I would miss seeing my boys navigate down a slope on skis for the very first time. I would miss capturing their expressions of satisfaction as they learned a new skill. I would miss an important “first” that I’d never get back. And I didn’t want to do that. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t understood the significance before that moment.
I made a game-time decision to cut 25 minutes off my massage. Throwing on my winter wear and slinging my camera around my neck, I rushed to the bunny hill in time to catch my boys’ first ski lesson, already in progress.
There’s Ryder, a naturally gifted athlete who gained the confidence to go down the hill solo on only his third descent. And there’s Reid, learning to balance and conquer his fear of heights with help from a Snow School instructor. I shouted at them from the sidelines and they looked my way, breaking into huge grins and waving with glee.
It’s a morning I’ll never forget… it’s living in the moment, Tremblant edition.
mrdisco
well at least they have snow
DebH
Sometimes you just have to live in the moment and let go of well made plans and intentions. These moments will never be there again.
caryn salageanu
what a magical moment Lena! I can totally see why you cut your massage short!
Jaime Damak
Love, love, love this. Living in the moment. ????
Chandra O'Connor
That made me a bit misty eyed.
Debbie Bashford
Glad you made it to see them.
kathy downey
Sometimes we just have to live in the moment and forget everything else,i love reading your posts some just touch my heart.
Judy Cowan
Glad that you got to see it, sometimes we just have to seize the moment. Before you know it they will be skiing done the hills without a problem!
Marissa
Love your post, Lena and the awesome Mont Tremblant pictures on your instagram. Would love to visit this place in the near future.
La Cuisine d'Helene
Looking at your pictures, I can’t wait to go to Tremblant. Merry Christmas x
Lynda Cook
Well it’s great that there is snow to even enjoying skiing, I’m glad you got some pictures, I missed out on so many of my girls, but then that was because of my anxiety, I couldn’t go out and take pictures in front of anyone
mrdisco
i’m fine with not seeing snow
SueSueper
Looks like they had lots of fun. I remember bringing my kids skiing for the first time. They learnt at Hockley Valley.
Chandra O'Connor
You are so lucky you didn’t miss them, you took a great shot. The massage would have been ruined anyways because you’d have felt sad missing it.
Chandra O'Connor
We went there once I looked after my nieces and everyone went skiing. I don’t do skiing.
tracy k
wow, i’m glad you seized the moment and didn’t miss out on seeing you boys in action!
gayle bellemare
It looks like you had an amazing family vacation! We haven’t been to Mount Tremblant as yet, but despite my kids being older now, I know it will work for any age group. Great post!
Jo-Anne Pfoh
Oh how I miss Mount Tremblant in the winter. I loved living in Hull
DeeDee
Such a sweet story!
Cheryl
Wow that looks like a great time! I’m glad you got to capture those memories even if you did cut that massage shirt
Brenda Lacourciere
Great trip id love to take the kids there.
Jennifer Beckett (@jennpup)
I grew up in the States and my first visit to Canada was to learn to ski at Mont Tremblant! It was so much fun – I was amazed by roads that seemed to always have a layer of snow. Now I prefer ski lodges to skiing – give me a fireplace and hot cocoa and I’m good, but this post makes me want to bring the kids there!
Melinda Jana
awwww what a precious moment, forever remembered by all of you :)
kathy downey
We have Marble Mountain just in the next town its a beautiful ski-ing resort and actually just opened last week for the season,i used to love ski-ing before this illness found a home in my body
loucheryl
I would love to see my boys take a ski lesson! I know my youngest would ROCK the slopes!
Athena
My son has been talking about giving skiing a try.
nicolthepickle
It’s nice that they have instructors for the kids.
Melanie Barclay
Thats awesome! looks like they are having so much fun! i really need to take our kids skiing.
patricia mann
Went to tremblant for a mini honeymoon when we 1st got married in mid october 2010. LOVED It. there are some really great hiking trails in the area with waterfalls. Stayed at a great B&B about a 15min drive away. great place to go in the fall
Debbie White Beattie
The architecture at this place is absolutely beautiful. I love watching little kids learn to ski because they wobble and sway, adorable !