Lifestyle | What Jenn Wore

What the Heck is Female Incontinence??

January 31, 2020

Yep, we just went there. Female incontinence…it’s a thing AND I’m going to talk about it. (This may be the point that you question: “I thought that I was following this woman for style content??)

Here’s the thing: I have three kids. I was lucky enough to not have a c-section (read between the lines here). After having my first baby, I definitely noticed that I began to experience a few “surprises”…definitely when sneezing and sometimes even when exercising. I now understand why my mother crossed her legs every time she sneezed.

Being an avid runner (I ran half marathons after each of my three kids births) and an active mom, at first this was inconvenient. I couldn’t play a game of tag without a restroom break nor jump on a trampoline for more than a minute. Don’t get me wrong, I understood the value of kegels and, like many women who have had children, vowed to practice them at every red light I hit while driving the daily carpool. (Isn’t that a thing? No?)

Fast forward a couple years. My kids are now all in elementary school and, well…we’ve all gotten older. And my “surprises” have gotten worse. I’ve begun to feel more nervous about attending a mid-day exercise class and certainly wouldn’t go out for a run with a full bladder, nor fully hydrated. As an exercise enthusiast, I began to realize that this was impacting my daily life.

So, I bought Depends pads. From Costco (go big or go home, right?!). These were definitely not the answer I was seeking! They’re huge (or, at least the ones found at Costco are huge) and not concealed when wearing my leggings AT ALL. I donated the entire box (less one) to a women’s shelter.

Then I started researching physical therapy. Yes, this is a thing. And yes, you can even buy weights for toning your pelvic floor (I’ll allow your imagine to figure out how this works for yourself). Down the rabbit hole I went! Why? Because I’m a young woman with, hopefully, more than half of my life in front of me still. And my problem was getting worse. I want to remain active for the rest of my life without having to wear giant pads and (even worse) smelling like urine every time I coughed, was surprised, or went for a jog.

Enter the BTL Emsella device and Blue Haven Medical Spa.

As a part of my work, I get invited to a number of events. I really enjoy this opportunity to try new services, learn about advancements in technology, and experience local finds. This fall, I had the pleasure of attending the RealSelf House of Modern Beauty event in Seattle. This event (hosted in cities around the country) is a fantastic opportunity to learn about various products and services within the beauty industry – everything from extracting your own stem cells to make a regenerating serum to education around cosmetic procedures. It was at this event that I was first introduced to the BTL Emsella device…known in the industry as “The Kegel Throne.”

“What is a kegel throne?” you ask. Basically, you sit on the BTL Emsella device (fully clothed, completely non-evasive) and, for less than 30 minutes, high frequency electromagnetic pulses target the pelvic floor. In essence, these pulses deliver the equivalent of nearly 12,000 kegels in one session! This is not a gimmick, BTL Emsella is an FDA-approved treatment to address female incontinence.

After having experienced one session…fully clothed, speaking with device experts and RN technicians, in the middle of the showroom no less, I was eager to do more. The recommended treatment for significant improvement is a series of 6, 30-minute sessions. A quick internet search netted me few results in the Seattle area but, lucky for me, Blue Haven Medical Spa is located in the Green Lake neighborhood, basically my back yard!

The Blue Have team could not have been more welcoming, which is important as you are talking about a moderately (ok, very) embarrassing topic such as incontinence. I primarily worked with Annie, an ARNP board certified practitioner with years of experience in medicine and medical aesthetics. Annie immediately put me at ease and expertly answered all of my questions. She would stay and chat or leave me to surf the internet, respond to emails, or mindlessly scroll social media during my 30 minute sessions.

Was it painful? Not in the least. It was definitely a “different” sensation…a series of vibrations followed by tapping, targeting the perineum area (again, haven’t included this word in my blog to date!). Perhaps uncomfortable at first, you quickly get used to it. Because the device uses electromagnetic pulses, you are advised to remove any jewelry and (here’s a biggie) you cannot use this therapy if you have any metal implants…read: no IUD devices.

I know what you are all wondering next…did it work? I am more than pleased with the results! While I haven’t trampoline tested yet (due to the winter weather in Seattle), I have done a series of workouts involving jumping and running. I purposely did these without first visiting the restroom and NOTHING. Think burpees, jumping jacks, rock-star jumps, and sprints without any leaking. The occasional sneeze? Not a problem.

The results of the BTL Emsella therapy are cumulative; therefore, you do need to do the entire suggested protocol to achieve the best results. However, you are not required to do any follow-up appointments to maintain the results (again, this may vary based on the person). I would highly recommend this therapy for any “friends” (wink, wink) who may experience the occasional, or not-so-occasional any more, issues with incontinence.

{outfit details} leggings: nike | top: girlfriend collective | running shoes: brooks (c/o) | jacket: add down

I partnered with Blue Haven Medical Spa to share my experience with all of you. This was 100% my idea and I reached out to the spa to collaborate. Please dm, email, or comment below with all of your questions. Clearly I am an open book and I am honored to share more of my experience using the BTL Emsella device at Blue Haven.

Thank you for reading. ~Jenn

Just Ida-Go! (For the Snow)

January 16, 2020

Isn’t it funny the things from our own childhoods that really stick with us? These things that we say “I’m never going to do that” or “Why would my parents make these choices?” Making note of all the things we will do very differently when we are a parents, of course.

One such thing was skiing. My father owned his own business and, being an orthodontist, relied on working with his hands (albeit it in children’s mouths). We enjoyed fabulous family vacations, don’t get me wrong, but not many ski vacations. Worried about falling and an injury that would put our family out of work (you see, my entire family worked in the office), he was not riding the lift up with us or coaching my siblings and me down the mountain. Some of this could also be attributed to his fear of heights. Sure, they took us on some snowy vacations – I remember taking ski lessons with my sister on a family vacation to Central Oregon. We were horrible and I’m fairly sure that we crashed each time we tried to exit the lift. But, if your family isn’t invested in the “ski effort,” it’s really hard to get enough learning hours under your belt to successfully get down the mountain.

Now you see, me being a dismal skier wasn’t the end of the world. While I did grow up in Northern California, I was hours from the mountains. I remember a few invitations with friends to join them at their family cabins, but it wasn’t as if snowy peaks were right outside my door nor a weekly ski bus leaving from school on Friday afternoons. It wasn’t until I went to college in Oregon and met the man pictured in these photos (along side our children), that I started to wish that I was a more experienced (let’s be real, any experienced) skier.

Fast forward a decade (or two), and now we’re raising children in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with the cascade mountains as our neighbors. The ski bus leaves every Friday afternoon from the middle school parking lot. Their elementary school classmates are members of the ski team.

With a goal of becoming a ski family, we started with weekly lessons at the closest mountain. And while the convenience was tops (aside from any pass closures), we often found ourselves holed up in the busy lodge as the kids skied through freezing rain and manufactured snow. On the rare occasion that we did all get out on the mountain, it was a zoo of fellow Seattlites, resulting in long lift lines and crowded runs. After several years of this, we decided to invest our ski school dollars instead into family ski vacations.

Enter Idaho. Washington’s closest neighbor to the east, we fell in love with the Idaho Panhandle, specifically the beautiful town of Sandpoint, last year as we were driving through on our way to visit Glacier, National Park. We loved this little town on the banks Lake Pend Orielle (pronounced Pond-e-ray), snuggly situated between Spokane, Washington and The Selkirk Mountains to the west and Montana (a mere 75 miles east) and The Cabinet Mountains. In fact, we had such a great time passing through, that we returned later in the summer for one final outdoor hoorah – floating in the swimming hole, hiking in the woods…and driving a mere 20 minutes from town up Schweitzer Mountain to check out the resort; making our plans for a winter return. In the summer heat (I love this high alpine climate), it was difficult to imagine the place covered in snow and teaming with snow sport enthusiasts. Yet with obvious construction underway and preparations being made, we could tell that this was a place to return to; and we booked another trip to Sandpoint and our first ski vacation to Schweitzer.

The photos above are taken on a snow-covered City Beach, a central feature of Sandpoint’s small downtown. In the snow, we had it all to ourselves; however, months earlier it was filled with swimming kids, sunbathers, and a dock full of boats.

Skiing with kids is not easy. It is a testament to all of the patience, preparation, and persistence required of parenting. Do you have everything? Have you gone to the bathroom? You’re cold. Too hot. Missing a glove. Oh…and you don’t want to do ski lessons?

Let me assure you. Ski lessons are a requirement. Aside from the obvious; we can all make the connection between professional instruction and improved skiing. Oh, and the fact that parents then get to ski by themselves (we’ll get to more on that in a moment). Lessons with the Schweitzer ski school team were FUN. They all had fun, we all had fun.

Our family was greeted by an instructor who immediately recognized us (and not just by the confused looks on our faces, she actually knew our names). When I signed the kids up for these lessons, I provided score cards from last year’s lessons, so the kids were immediately assigned to groups of their levels. (Although I had this material at the ready, I’m sure that Schweitzer’s knowledgeable ski school team could adeptly place kids in groups based on their skills). The kids then spent the morning sharpening their skills before taking a lunch break…in a yurt. Following lunch, they skied for couple more hours; exploring the mountain (including several trails through the trees, complete with jumps), further perfecting those turns.

Meanwhile, John and I took a few leisurely runs before turning in for an early lunch at The Skyhouse, the lodge atop the mountain. We shared an order of chicken poutine before heading back out to enjoy the view above the clouds and ski for the remainder of the afternoon.

You may notice that I am on a snowboard. Well, I met this boy my freshman year of college. At the time, he was a snowboarder. After several months of dating, my parents allowed me to join his family on a ski vacation (What were they thinking?? Will I allow my kids this adventure in the coming years?? Only time will tell). After flailing after him on the mountain and realizing that all of my college friends were avid skiers (many from the Pacific Northwest), I decided to take up the sport in earnest. As I retell to my children, I took lessons and rode that ski bus (except the one I was on was leaving from my college campus).

Fast forward again to after this college boyfriend and I got married and had three children. We returned to the snow after a very long hiatus. And wouldn’t you know it? He decided to pick-up skiing again. Now, to be fair, John grew up skiing and is an advanced skier. And, with our three kids on skis, it makes a lot of sense for him to be on two boards. But me? I’m securely strapped into one. Never really having learned to ski, this is where I feel the most secure. And while I’m not good (I’ve warned my kids to not expect any of the tricks they see on YouTube), I can hold up the rear. Which has proved helpful when skiing with kids.

After one day of lessons (and a date afternoon for the parents to ski together), we enjoyed 2 more days of family skiing. I feel like we have finally arrived! After years of lessons and our fair share of frustrated, cold, and hungry moments (which, still do happen on occasion), we can ski together as a five-some! At Schweitzer that meant a breeze through non-existent lift lines then dividing into two groups to ride the chairlifts; a parent with each. The kids can exit the chairs safely (with only a couple of mishaps involving yours truly) and then patiently wait for me and alternatively complain about me being on a snowboard.

The two days that we skied as a family, we experienced fresh snow. All the more fun for kids that like to head through the trees and practice their jumps. Which, of course, their father can lead and keep up with. Me? I stay safely on those groomed trails. With the Schweitzer Bowl and the two new lifts on the Outback Bowl, there are plenty of blue runs on both sides of the mountain for families to be entertained all day. And, during our mid-day break, the staff at the village coffee shop gave our kids the royal treatment, with hot cocoa complete with extra whip and candy canes. With new snow, no lines, wide open trails (with breath taking views of Pend Orielle), it’s no wonder Schweitzer claims their resort is like having your own private mountain! Just what we were looking for!

Another thing I was going to do differently as a parent? Fly. Growing up, I just wanted to fly to a destination, like all of the other people (the ones who also spread yellow mustard on their sandwiches). Instead, we would pile into the family Oldsmobile (later the Suburban) and drive up to the Pacific Northwest, or head east; the desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain states were among our favorite destinations. Here in lies the irony in parenting…we (John and I) live for a good road trip. My kids just want to fly, probably to someplace exotic like Hawaii.

So prep that Audible playlist and be sure to pack chains, as adventure awaits east of the Cascades in the beautiful wonderland of the Idaho Panhandle. Whether you come to bask in the warm summer sun on the shores of Lake Pend Orielle or to hit the slopes at Schweitzer (and why not both?!), this area is sure to make you an Idaho convert as well.

A very special thank you to Schweitzer Mountain for partnering with me on this post. It is a pleasure to share this ski resort with you, dear reader. As always, you can expect all opinions to be entirely my own.

Girlfriend Trip Travel Guide: Portland, Oregon

October 23, 2019

One of the perks of living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest is the proximity to mountains, beaches, and several bustling metropolises. For instance, in a less than 4 hour drive south of Seattle, you can find yourself in Portland, Oregon. Aptly named “The Rose City,” Portland is known for a chicken named Colin (Portlandia reference here)…but in all seriousness, an excellent food scene, hipster styling, tax-free shopping, strong coffee, and 12 bridges that straddle the Willamette river, which divides the city.

Recently, a couple of girlfriends and I headed to Portland for weekend getaway to enjoy good food and taking advantage of tax-free shopping; escaping the weekend soccer mom drill to reconnect with each other and let our hair down. Leaving early on a Saturday morning with plans to return mid-afternoon on Sunday, we refined our itinerary to make the most of our quick trip. I’m sharing our top picks below:

Up first…Brunch at Olympia Provisions

An absolute MUST…this stop was a crowd favorite. After our trip south, we were famished and luckily had the foresight to have made a reservation for this popular charcuterie spot in NW Portland. Even with our table reserved, we had to wait probably 15 minutes to be seated (sadly, such is the food scene here in Portland). But the food was well worth the wait! We shared the Spanish charcuterie board filled with Spanish salami, ham, and chorizo. While the others enjoyed an eggs benedict (which they continue to dream about), I had a delicious hash of sausage and delicata squash topped with the most perfect poached egg. The wait staff definitely knows their stuff, as our waitress helped us navigate a menu with many delicious options. This is probably one of the best brunches I’ve enjoyed in recent memory!

Then meander thru Northwest Portland & the Pearl District

In addition to saving 10% in sales tax, Portland has some fantastic shopping. The Pearl District and Northwest neighborhoods are host to a number of great options; both small and large retailers alike. Right off of Burnside (the main east/west thoroughfare), you could spend hours browsing the shelves of Powell’s Books, Portland’s famously huge independent bookstore. I would suggest first grabbing a coffee across the street at Stumptown Coffee. You may see their nitro coffee on the shelves of your local Trader Joe’s or grab their beans at your favorite grocer, but this is an opportunity to have a barista craft your coffee in the Motherland.

From there, we headed into the Pearl District. You can find local fashion and houseware boutiques such as House of Lolo (premium denim, luxe cashmere, and refined basics), local designer Bridge & Burn (a quintessential NW fashion house filled with plaid, beanies, reusable designer coffee mugs, and perfect flat-brimmed hats) and Porch Light (air plants, unique handmade jewelry, cards, glass and tableware). I would also recommend a trip through Anthropologie here. I know, you likely have an Anthropologie store in your backyard, or at least are familiar with their offerings via their website. However, Portland is home to one of only two “Anthropologie & Co.” stores in the nation, which are more like a department store; offering a wide selection of home furnishings, a BLDN bridal boutique, a shoe section as well as their assortment of unique fashion finds. In addition to two floors of beautiful home displays, the downstairs also features a boutique with apparel and jewelry unique to the Portland store.

Then dine at Mediterranean Exploration Company

Or try one of the other restaurants within the Toro Bravo restaurant group (these include the famous Tasty n Alder and Toro Bravo, among others). Renowned for their fusion flavors combined with seasonal PNW flare, you cannot go wrong with any of these unique culinary experiences. At MEC, we were recommended the yellow tail carpacacio (pictured) and I was skeptical when I was told that the octopus is a staff favorite. Ordinarily I find octopus to be chewy, but this was smoky dish melted in your mouth. Quite honestly, the best octopus I’ve ever tasted! I would order it again. House made labneh (a cauliflower-based dip) with two orders of pita…also a must. The table next to us highly recommended sharing a Turkish coffee after our meal, we’re just old ladies that can’t drink caffeine that late!

Although we didn’t make it this time, I would highly recommend making a reservation at the Voicebox, which are private karaoke suites complete with bottle and food service. While I would never be brave enough to belt out tunes in front of a bar full of people, I have a running list of my favorite songs (mostly 90’s favorites like “4 Non-Blondes”) in preparation for a private concert among friends. In addition to a full bar for courage, they also serve delicious late-night snacks like tater-tots and buffalo cauliflower. Reservations are recommended and there is are minimum requirements for weekend nights.

Rest at the Radisson Red

With a central location and unique, pop decor, The Radisson Red is a fantastic stay in downtown Portland. Central to most everything (located in the downtown core), the hotel offers both hip vibes and the comforts of home. We loved all of the fun photos ops with pops of color everywhere and interesting murals around every corner, the devil is in the artistic details at this hotel. Yet, at the end of a long day spent exploring all of Portland’s offerings, we snuggled into plush down comforter laden beds and slept in peacefully. For comfort paired with a cool, downtown vibe (and an insta-worthy venue), look no further than the Radisson Red.

Also, we got around Portland really easily using Uber. Rather than spending time navigating an unfamiliar city and parking at various locales, we choose to rely on Uber to transport us. This was probably the best idea we had; we shopped, dined and explored without a care as to where to leave the car, who was driving and how to get there. And I experienced my first Uber Tesla ride in Portland!

Another genius idea? I ordered Uber Eats when returning home Sunday evening. With my family at home awaiting my arrival, the last thing I wanted to do was prepare a last minute meal. Instead, I found our favorite local Indian restaurant on Uber Eats and had it delivered to our doorstep shortly after I walked through the door.

Reflexology Massage at Foot Bar

You cannot visit Portland without a trip to Foot Bar. My close friend lives in Portland; she turned me on to this gem years ago and I seriously visit every time I find myself in the Rose City. I even have an account there! This natural spa focuses on reflexology massage that will change your life. Relaxing vibes start with armotherapy and tea service (although you can order wine as well). I would suggest at least a 75 minute massage and, yes, it may “just” be your feet, but you will feel the benefits throughout your body. In particular, when planning a girlfriends’ trip, this spa is the ultimate in relaxation because you can both unwind yet sit side-by-side and chat. In addition to foot baths complete with scrubs, masks and the massage, they also offer non-toxic polishes for a true pedicure.

Travel and time with loved ones are two priorities for me; both are accomplished with a quick girlfriend weekend getaway. Even with hectic schedules due to work and family commitments, it’s possible to make even a short amount of time to explore and reconnect.

Portland is a gem of a city to visit. With more time the city offers plenty of additional activities for outdoor and cultural enthusiasts alike with Forest Park and the Portland Historical Society located close to downtown. There are also many delicious restaurants to try and a fantastic vintage shopping scene still left for me to explore. Luckily, with Portland’s proximity to Seattle and with close friends living in the Rose City, I’m already planning my return!

Thank you for reading. Please leave me any Portland recommendations or, if you’re planning a trip to Portland soon, request any additional recs in the comments. Happy travels! ~Jenn

A special ‘thank you’ to Radisson Red Hotel Portland and to Uber for partnering with me on this post. While this post was sponsored in part by both the hotel and the ride delivery service, you can always expect all opinions expressed on this blog to be entirely my own.

Back-To-School Staycation

August 30, 2019

The days are getting shorter and, even in the summer heat, the wind is changing and leaves are beginning to turn. And…dread, back-to-school is upon us.

I mourn the end of summer. I love warm weather, summer styles, and (above all else) the freedom from schedules. I enjoy being at home with the kids with no agenda. Yes, we have a few weeks of camp sprinkled in between our family adventures, but I enjoy “the dog days” of summer when we spend late mornings in our jammies with the kids building lego cities for hours.

Because this change in season is particularly difficult for me, I try to find joy in and make special plans for our final days before school starts. With 3 kids in elementary school, early fall can be a very difficult transition as our schedules suddenly become much more busy. Each year we plan a final camping weekend over Labor Day with our family friends. And this year, we decided to make back-to-school shopping a fun adventure by planning a “staycation” in downtown Bellevue (a quick trip across Lake Washington from Seattle).

We thoroughly enjoyed our overnight stay at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. As a family of 5, we rarely stay in hotels…the kids kept calling every detail “fancy.” And we were fancy! From ordering room service of warm chocolate chip cookies with milk while watching a late night movie, to taking bubble baths in the luxurious tub, we lived it up!

And it’s hard for us to choose a favorite activity. For the kids, the lap- size pool complete with noodles and balls was definitely a highlight. And I certainly enjoyed the convenience to all that downtown Bellevue has to offer. After checking in (and doing a couple of cartwheel in our suite), we ventured across the street to Din Tai Fung for dumplings and their phenomenal green beans (a family crowd pleaser). With full bellies, we settled in to watch the aforementioned movie in our jammies. After putting the kids to bed, my husband and I enjoyed some alone time drinking wine in that giant tub.

When we awoke late the next morning, we headed downstairs to the Hyatt’s beautiful atrium to enjoy brunch. With young children, I can’t remember the last time we brunched…let alone the last time we all slept in past 8:00?! This may be the highlight of my trip! The breakfast service at the hotel’s Eques restaurant was delicious. The kids’ enjoyed the buffet; helping themselves to fresh fruit, bacon and waffles with Nutella. I choose healthier options, ordering a green smoothie and a poached egg on avocado toast that I’m still drooling over.

After breakfast, we thought that a dip in the pool would be a perfect opportunity to get some energy out before hitting the shops at Bellevue Square for some back-to-school shopping. Bellies full and hair wet from the pool, when we finally wandered across the street we were prepared with our agenda. We started at Uniqlo for some great basics. We hit the jackpot (no pun intended), when Jack discovered the elastic waist jeans, which are perfect for a lean child looking for pants. And the girls each snuggled up to fleece jackets. Afterwards, the girls and I headed over the Zara Kids for some more trend-driven back-to-school styles. We capped off our trip with smoothies and a game of chess before leaving for home well-rested and feeling moderately more prepared for school’s start.

Thank you for returning to read my blog. I have taken a much-needed and much-longer respite from this space than I had anticipated. Writing and sharing feels good and I’m happy to be back at it. I hope you enjoy a restful long weekend and are prepared for the changing season upon us. I look forward to sharing more and connecting in this space in the coming weeks. Cheers to the long Labor Day weekend! ~Jenn

A special ‘thank you’ to the Hyatt Regency Bellevue for hosting our family. And we are also grateful to Eques and the Bellevue Collection for their hospitality. While this post was sponsored by these lovely partners, you can always expect all content, photos, and opinions to be my own.

Big Snow, Big White

March 8, 2019

Hasn’t the weather been crazy this winter? We’ve had weeks of snow here in Seattle, which is very unusual. In fact, the kids have 5 snow days to make up this summer (and this doesn’t include the late starts and early releases due to weather!). So, you can imagine that when our mid-winter break arrived amid the many unexpected snow days, we were less thrilled about the prospect of spending vacation playing in more snow!

As you may expect from these photos, Big White sure did prove us wrong! And I can’t say enough wonderful things about the six days we spent in this winter wonderland.

Located in the Canadian Okanagen, Big White is a mere 6-8 hour drive from Seattle (depending on road conditions and border crossing lines). Unlike the Cascade Mountains, which have more wet conditions, Big White is located in the Canadian Rockies and is renowned for dry, powder-like snow…and lots of it!

The Village Centre Mall hosts a coffee shop, ski rentals, ticket kiosks, and is central to the village.

Adult lunch break at The Woods (kids are probably welcome too)

Fireworks every Saturday night at the Happy Valley Lodge throughout the season.Hot cocoa break at the Village Centre Mall

Hot tubing in our condo after a day on the slopes…well deserved!

Having visited Big White last year, we planned an extended stay this time. Caravaning north with Kirsty‘s family, we arrived at our condo in the heart of the village. The true “ski in, ski out” nature of the village is one of the things I enjoy the most, especially traveling with kids. From our condo, we ski down to multiple lifts that can take us to the top of the mountain. Most afternoons, we skied to our condo for lunch. And nothing makes potty breaks more easy than skiing to your front door (mind you, you still have to remove all of those layers…and your skis).

The village at Big White is also low-key and not a “scene”…although I’m sure there’s much of it I haven’t experienced after bed time! If you’re looking for fancy 5-star restaurants, boutique shopping, luxury spas, and celebrity sightings, then Big White may not be for you. However, both the Village Center Mall, which is located central in the village, and the Happy Valley lodge, a quick and fun gondola ride down to the base of the mountain, host numerous family activities throughout the week. For example, when we arrived Tuesday evening, it was bingo night at Happy Valley. And on our last night there, a kids’ carnival, complete with popcorn and games is hosted every Saturday evening…with a fireworks grand finale at 8:15 pm. A truly spectacular send off to close out our trip to Big White!

The Kids’ Centre houses the ski school and is located in the center of the village.

Romie loved her instructor. Caroline is from Denmark.

While the kids are at ski school, adults get to adventure!

The ski school at Big White is another winner and a really important consideration when we began planning our family ski trip. While my kids have been on skis for several years, lessons each season advance their skills and, most importantly, give them confidence on the mountain.

The instructors are enthusiastic, patient (oh, so patient!) and competent, providing a thorough assessment at the end of each day. The instructors makes the mountain fun; after lessons, my kids were eager to take me on “Bumpy Alley” and through the Dragon’s Mouth (note: not as fun on a snowboard). My son, being the most advanced skier, was taken all over the mountain and couldn’t wait to share his adventures with us at the end of each day. Also, we could fact-check his endless bragging because the kids wear a device that allows you to see their progress and map their days (Jack’s stories did check out). Two full days of ski school allowed us to traverse the entire mountain as a family. Often times with Jack leading the way.

Above the Powder Chair, which can take you the Gem Lake Warming Lodge (1 of 4 lodges)

Our personal mountain guide.

What’s with the snow, you may ask? Not being a die-hard skier myself and having spent much of my mountain experience in the Pacific Northwest, I didn’t truly understand what a difference snow can make for your skiing experience until visiting Big White. Big White snow is FUN. Powder-like snow doesn’t make that scratchy noise on your board when your going down the mountain (you know, the one that makes you clench your teeth in fear of falling and skidding down a sheet of ice). Powder doesn’t hurt (as much) to fall in. Most importantly, powder makes you feel like you’re floating down the mountain, eager to return up the chair lift for another run!

Last year we were spoiled in Big White with fresh snow fall every night and beautiful, blue skies to ski under during the day. However, the temperatures hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit. This year it was much warmer…and we had fresh snow while skiing. Inches upon inches of it! Again, this is dry snow so we weren’t wet. However, we didn’t get to enjoy as many spectacular views of the Okanagan valley below from the chair lift.

The entire family had so much fun in the snow our entire trip! The skiing is spectacular and the numerous other events hosted in Big White are a blast as well. We enjoyed tubbing, which was a fan favorite after last year’s excursion. Ice skating, ice climbing, snow mobiling, and sleigh rides are also offered at the Happy Valley Lodge. Big White also hosts a nordic center for cross-country and snow shoeing enthusiasts.

The kids’ feedback: “BEST VACATION of the year.” My work here is done. And the adults agree too.

If you are considering a trip to Big White, please email, message or dm me on social media with questions. The central booking agents helped us find a gem of a condo this year (we were a bit late to book in October, so schedule early!). Also, be sure to check-in on Instagram as I’ve saved a ‘Big White’ stories tab complete with lots of fun video footage from our trip!

Thank you for reading. And, thank you for patiently waiting for posts (it’s been awhile). Happy Friday! ~Jenn

A huge ‘Thank You’ to Big White ski resort for partnering with me on this post. Their hospitality and generosity continues to impress me and our family is so grateful. As always, all opinions expressed on this blog are my own.

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