Ski trip

[Graham]

Well the day came and went. The ski trip for the kids I mentioned happened today.

After a two hour drive to Ben Lomond National Park we approached the foot of the mountain.
We had a taste of the black ice on the road when the car spun out of control on a corner. Thankfully, no injuries or damage and I was able to get the car back on the road.

Another half mile and rangers told us we were going no further without a 4WD and snow chains.
We had to take the shuttle bus to the summit, trouble is, we stood for early 2 hours in the snow with quite a few others waiting for the bus.

The road to the summit is called Jacobs Ladder, it was the steepest, most dangerous road I've seen since the road to kathmandu. I'm glad I wasn't driving.

Once at the top there was a confusion of hundreds of people waiting to hire gear, waiting for the ski lift and skiing all over the place.

With the wind chill, it was as cold a place as I've been for a while.
I wore long thermal trousers (track pants), gaiters and boots. I'm sure I would have been OK in a thick kilt, but everyone would have thought I was suicidal.

My wife and I spent our few hours there mainly checking the kids and meeting their needs, my daughters' first snowboarding experience was not a happy one, spending most of her time sitting on the snow (as some of your predicted).

While it was an interesting experience, I was glad to get off the mountain. We heard of one car accident and one spinal injury and saw an ambulance racing to the mountain, but we were happy to get home unhurt.

So at last I sit here back in a kilt with a well earned dram.

Snowboarding and skiing? nah, you can keep it, I'll stick to hiking any day.
I've posted a photo.

[bubba]

Graham, I thoroughly believe outdoor winter sports are for raving lunatics. Nobody in their right mind would risk freezing off important bits to slide down a hill only to climb back up. Winter is to gather the strength to get through the coming spring, summer and fall. When they say afterwards at the lodge with a drink in front of the warm fire makes it worth it I laugh. I'll just skip ahead to that. Warm house to warm car to warm pub. That's my style.

[Graham]

Admit it bubba, you're just a big softie!

You gotta get out there and experience nature!

[bubba]

I've experienced nature. Floods, tornados, all sorts of creepy crawlies. Thanks, I'll pass.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Graham I'm glad to know You are all fine.
Some years ago I had a very similar experience in a van which skidded.I had the whole family in it at the time.Just lets say it was a near thing......I exchanged it for a Freelander very quickly.You just need a 4 wd for driving in the snow....Just in case you go again.Take a spade,recovery straps, andBlankets and hot drinks with you in the car too.When we drive across the mountains here in Norway
During the winter It's madness not to take these things with you..
Once again Glad too hear your fine.......
If you want to ski again come to Norway (The Home of skiing)I'll put you up no prob's

[Freelander Sporrano]

I've experienced nature. Floods, tornados, all sorts of creepy crawlies. Thanks, I'll pass.

also
Men in kilt's and Grey beard's

[GMan]

Graham,

Glad to hear that the day was fine after all the mishaps at the beginning. It is not necesarrily a bad thing to experience things that do not go as predicted.

Some of the most fun winter experiences that I have had were those that did not go as planned. Once we found out that we were all OK, just to sit down and have fun was such a joy. Good thing that you were able to experience that which will be a family remembrance for years to come.

[Alaskan Celt]

[bubba]

I'm very comfortable bunkering in for the winter

[Hamish]

I have to say that, here in the south of England, we no longer seem to get the snow that makes winter fun!

As a child, I clearly remember the annual one foot snowfalls which often would prevent me making the 18 mile trek to school for a few days. In recent years, the best snowfalls we have had have been about ½ inch deep which have thawed within a few hours. There's no fun in THAT!

I have not seen what I would call a decent snowfall for maybe twelve or fifteen years! Life can be very cruel!