My dad taught me to ski when I was 10 or 11 at our local Mtns. in Big Bear. My dad also bought me my 1st pair of ski's and boots when I was a teen. My mom (divorced) fanned the flame with spring ski trips to Mammoth and in high school, (on random Fridays after school) I would go up with friends to Wrightwood for night skiing. I am most accustomed to cruddy snow as that is what I have available on short notice and a 2hr-ish drive away. My last 2 big trips in the winter of '89 were to Mammoth with friends at age 19 . Then marriage, a surfer ocean minded hubby (doesn't like to be cold) and six babies slowed me wayyyy down. After nearly a 20yr sabbatical from skiing (sad, I know) in 2009 (may have been a midlife crisis, lol) I decided it was time to get back into the sport I loved! Sans the unwilling hubby I committed 100%. I said to my children, "Kids, this winter we are going to ski! This is moms sport! Dad gave you surfing, I am giving you skiing!" I bought them all passes and gear ($$$$ ouch) and we drove the 2 hr drive every Thursday for the whole season year after year! And its been so great and rewarding to see them all progress as skiers (and a couple snowboarders...slowly converting over to skis, yes!). We were even blessed with a (bonus) 7th child 4yrs ago and I now have him on the slopes. Their dad is supper supportive but has never seen them ski other than the tons of footage I take on the slopes. It is truly my solo time with them. We had a couple bad years here at local mtns and I didn't renew passes. Now we are enjoying the Ikon pass as I take them to Tahoe every year for a week and my 4yo and 13yo are still getting on the slopes almost weekly here locally. I would say I am an intermediate skier, I was never given proper lessons and would like to improve greatly. Always wanted to learn to parallel ski, so pretty and graceful!! I will be 50 this year and really want to take my skiing to the next level. Up until now, I have been chasing my kids on the groomers and through the trees, some box slides at the park here and in Tahoe, half pipe even, yep I have done it several times, and lots of videoing all their accomplishments on the slopes. Ignorance is bliss they say... wherever they go, I go. It has been pure joy for me and worth the long hours prepping, packing and driving them to foster the love of the sport. I am hoping I can do this for at least 30 more years! I really love getting on a lift with a stranger, especially the senior skiers and hearing about their experiences and helpful tips. I hope to find that in this community here at pugski as well! Cheers! 
That fry sauce, oh my!