This is the 5th year we have done this so we are getting' pretty good at rockin' the multi-family vacation thing. Just remember these 5 things:
1. Rent chalets side-by-side. The ones at Manning are great. Each side of the chalet has a huge space with a double bed and 2 sets of bunk beds and two families share a kitchen. We had 2 chalets beside each other which was perfect.
2. Plan B where there isn't enough snow. This ski season has been disappointing for powder for all the mountains in the lower mainland. Usually, our crew skis for 2 days but this time we opted for only 1 ski day. There's lots of other things to do at Manning, the moms hiked lightening lakes and it was gorgeous. This was the first year we sent all 9 kids to the pool by themselves and no adult had to supervise.
3. Make the most of mediocre snow. With the snow barely covering the rocks, we were lucky the ski lift was even running. There were only 3 runs open, they must have taken all the existing snow to make it barely cover the cat track but the kids were happy to take off with their friends and skied all day. They spent more time in the rail park and practicing the “griddy” while skiing…
4. Hockey outside and inside. The boys all brought their hockey sticks and when they weren't skiing, they were either playing street hockey outside or watching the Canucks game inside the cabin. Noah doesn't have any brothers so he was SO thrilled to have so many boys to play hockey with.
5. Keep making memories. We've already booked next year.