When is the best time for taking a winter holiday?

One of the most awesome and exclusive Christmas gift that you can give your loved ones is a memorable winter holiday. That’s exactly what I gave my wife and two boys aged 9 and 11 then, during the start of winter last year. I had been planning this for long but most of the time the decision was jeopardized by other interests till last year.

Initially, I was torn between the Canadian Rockies in Canmore and Pass Powderkeg Resort in Blairmore but settled for the later because of the little experience of my sons whom I knew wanted to have real fun but I cared for their safety.

Once we got there, I realized that I had made a mistake. The good thing is that skiing in Pass Powderkeg is thrilling for those experienced like me while my sons would also have fun although they were confined to a specific area. The ski resort has also a modest lodge for accommodation, licensed lounge and other amenities that could make life comfortable while vacationing.

For the experienced, like my wife and I, it was really adventurous for us as we accessed a larger skiing terrain made stunning by the panoramic view of the scenic Crownest Pass.

Unfortunately, the experience was never as anticipated. I sometimes feel that I failed my family terribly. The timing of the whole vacation was wrong. Sometimes I wish that all this can be undone and we plan afresh for a new skiing adventure to cover up my shoddy planning.

The main reason is that I never considered or factored in that during the start of winter, a time like we went, it’s usually colder and that would be a problem to my boys especially Tyler, my last born. In the morning of us skiing is when I realized that the cold weather had taken toll on them especially Tyler.

My wife was really worried about it, but I was quick to assure her that all gonna be well and he was going to get warm when they get to their designated ski park and start having fun with others as the ski or snowboard. But I was wrong. Even before they would be cleared for skiing, the management expressed their concerns. I was adamant even against my wife who supported the move that we try visiting the resort when it’s a bit warmer — maybe in March.

The boys were allowed under strict supervision to continue skiing, something they were happy about. However, the cold never let them. Quite sad about the whole ordeal we had two park back for home on our third day at the resort.

I contemplating making up for my mistake next winter but this time during a warmer period — may be sometimes around March.