Our first visit to Steamboat was February of 2009. We were in Winter Park doing Bob’s Bump Camp (a must do, by the way if you love moguls and/or hate them and want to love them – ahem the latter was me because my husband was obsessed and I knew if I ever wanted to ski together I had to turn the corner), and decided we’d take a jaunt north on 40 and check out another mountain for the day.

There was SO much fog and the snow was like ice on our faces; our legs were shot after 3 days of skiing hard and we were not impressed. The next time we laid on the ‘Boat in 2010 was for our for our son’s first Thanksgiving, and it has been a happy place for our family from that visit on. He was 2 months old and it was FREEZING. We love winter and I mean FREEZING. But, it dumped snow, we checked out town, it was beautiful and we were hooked. Since then, we make a pilgrimage every year for the Winter Carnival – the best most amazing winter event ever in the history of winter events.

This year, our trip included some dear friends from our pre-kid Washington DC days and their friends from Long Beach, CA. Three families and all our kids joined forces in a house for 3 days of skiing. We couldn’t have had more fun! My 8 year old son had his first legit powder day. The dads got a morning of powder. A 3 year old in our group learned to ski (and come on, what’s cuter than that?!). We enjoyed lots of time by the fire with friends and apres. We piled in cars to hit the Old Town Hot Springs for some swimming and relaxing. Everyone watched in awe the lighted man and fireworks put on by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. And did I mention the powder day?

But really, what sticks out in my mind as I reflect on the weekend was the joy we shared as a family with our friends and their kids. The smiles and laughter, chasing each other through the trees, finding jumps wherever they could. Hearing everyone hooping and hollering through the quiet powder on a Monday morning. Recapping the day with everyone over dinner, watching the videos and looking at the pictures. Being able to bring our best selves sharing our most favorite thing with special friends. Creating memories and adventure. Finding joy and being grateful for the privilege of being there.

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This is what being Snow Happy looks like. Get out there this winter Snow Happy Friends and find your happy! And, plan a trip to the magical Steamboat Springs!