Leaving your baby at home overnight for the first time is no big deal—unless you’re the mother of that little one. While I knew the time was coming when I’d have to go on an overnight trip, I also knew I would only leave my 15-month-old son, Ben, when it felt right to me. When I had the opportunity to apply to attend a press trip for Macaroni Kid to promote the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association and Camelback Resort, I jumped at the chance to go—even though it meant leaving behind my baby.
Before my husband and I had Ben, we were Aunt and Uncle of the Year—every year. We’d take our nieces and nephew on a variety of trips, including one to the Poconos about two years ago. Since the baby was born, it’s been hard to spend quality time with them. When I heard about the Camelback trip, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to show the kids that we hadn’t forgotten about them despite having our own child. I also knew it was the ideal time to put on my big girl panties and spend a night away from Ben.
After a few tears—okay, more than a few—we set off for our drive up to Tannersville, PA. Once we were all together, I instantly knew it was going to be an awesome trip. The travel time was just enough time to reconnect with Charlotte, 13, Quinnan, 9, and Lyla, 6 without going too nuts on a road trip. Our usual car ride banter started and I felt gratitude wash over me—I was finally getting to spend time with my original babies. After about two hours, we were there!
My husband and I got to take the kids skiing and snowtubing for the first time. Despite those thrills, there was more happening on the mountain. My husband and I were no longer just “Ben’s parents.” We were “Aunt Kristen and Uncle Tim again.” We were also just “us,” which is something hard to experience when you’re wrapped up in caring for a baby.
Watching the kids learn how to ski was the highlight of the trip…we got to cheer them on as they tried something new and were met with new-found confidence. Skiing was now “our” thing. The slopes were the perfect place to reconnect with each other…and ourselves. As I gazed down the mountain after not having skied in 15 or so years, I knew all was well. Ben was fine, I was finally spending time with my nieces and nephew, and I was about to ski again—at last!
Galactic tubing topped off the night, and it did not disappoint. The slopes were lit up with lights that changed colors as the music played. We had the option of single tubes as well as double tubes, which gave us plenty of chances to ride down the mountain in different pairings. Charlotte kept count, of course…we went down 21 times in just a few hours. The kids loved it and had a hard time recounting which snow activity they loved more.
From Slopes to Swimming
The next day, we got to spend more time together in an 84-degree tropical indoor waterpark, Aquatopia. (Yes, you can go from ski suits to swimsuits in a matter of minutes at Camelback…so pack both!)
Aquatopia was phenomenal because it had rides for people of all ages. We all enjoyed the wave pool and some of the smaller water slides, as well as the lazy river. I ventured on a corkscrew waterslide to impress the kids, which inevitably didn’t but allowed me to relive my childhood love of waterslides. There were thrill-seeking waterslides, a hot tub, and opportunities to chill out in cabanas…again, perfect for family members who have different ideas of what a vacation should be. Everyone can do their own thing yet still be together.
The kiddie pool section gave me a few pangs as I missed Ben, but I smiled knowing that soon enough, I can bring him to experience the fun himself. Maybe this summer, we can visit Camelbeach as well, as the ski slopes transform into an outdoor waterpark when the temperatures heat up. There really is no off-season at Camelback...they have you covered with family fun any time of year!
Staying at Camelback Lodge was gorgeous, and visiting during the holidays was a bonus due to all the fun seasonal décor. Our room had everything we needed, including a pull-out couch so the kids weren’t crammed into one bed. The ambiance gave off the right blend of luxury and rusticness, and the accommodations were clean.
An indoor rock-climbing wall, laser tag, arcade, and daily children’s crafts were available in Camelbaack Lodge, ensuring that all ages can relax and have fun. There were several eateries on site, giving diners a wide variety of options. (They also just opened a family-style Italian eatery just a few steps away from the main lodge.) Otherwise, everything was close by, and a shuttle was provided so we could be transported to the slopes.
We didn’t get to try out the new adventure park that boasts ziplines, a tree-top adventure, a mountain coaster, and mountain segways, but that will give us more first-time experiences when we go back. Because we are going back.
Camelback is more than just a resort, or a place to ski. To me, that mountain—though it holds so much—is, most importantly, the backdrop for families to make unforgettable memories. Wherever you go on a winter trip, I sincerely hope that it lets you do the same.
Win Free Ski Vacations, Score Great Skiing Deals for Kids
Three more fun tidbits from the trip that I wanted to share:
- There’s still time to enter Camelback’s Adventure of a Lifetime Sweepstakes. Among the many prizes is 20 years’ worth of vacations worth $150,000. It runs through Dec. 31, 2018 and a winner will be drawn Jan. 3, 2019. Enter at www.camelbackwin.com.
- Camelback Mountain has a new program for frequent skiers to help you save on ski trips—the Triple Ticket!
- Want to save money on a ski trip to Pennsylvania? Check out SkiPA’s Snowpass program, which lets 4th and 5th graders ski free (with an adult present) at any of the 21 slopes three times a year!
Want to see more of our trip? The video below sums it all up!
Find your family fun at the Jersey Shore--or in the nearby Poconos! Visit www.skipa.com for more great deals on family ski trips this winter!
