Corey at the Bear Valley Rail Jam

Corey won a special mention at the Bear Valley Rail Jam for most improved. Corey and Benoit snowboarded together with the Devo Team.

Corey Bear Valley Rail Jam

Benoit Bear Valley Rail Jam

Benoit entered the Bear Valley Rail Jam contest. He warmed up on the small rail and decided to hit the big box during the contest. He won a special mention being the youngest (and cutest). Here are the photos.

Benoit Bear Valley Rail Jam

Bear Valley Back Country Ski

Brian convinced Jeff and I that it would be a good idea to back country ski at Bear Valley. Since we did not have any experience with that type of terrain, we register at MAS for a day trip. Steve was our talented guide. Patty, Brian, Steve chose to telemark while Jeff opted for a special binding on his Alpine ski and I for my snowboard and snow shoes.

We started at 9:00 AM and hiked up to the top of the mountain before we cruzed down hill in this beautiful setup.

Steve cruzing

Patty, Brian, Steve and Jeff

Brian

Steve and Jeff

A short video of our trip

Bear Valley West Ridge

Bear Valley snowboard Devo team with Michael and Ben.

Benoit and Lucas about to drop in the West Ridge double diamond. The ride was more than we bargain for, with icy condition, rock and trees.

Bear Valley Portraits

After one good day of ski, it was time for some portrait photos. Lucas and Benoit are wearing the Bear Valley Devo team fleece.

Benoit and Lucas portraits

2 portraits from Benoit and Lucas. The first photo was taken from the living room, Lucas is showing the medals that He won playing soccer. For the second photo, Benoit and Lucas are standing in the back yard before going to school.

Pescadero goat cheese farm

Brian told us a couple a week ago about that nice goat cheese farm at Pescadero, so we decided to check it out.
Pescadero is a small town about 20 miles north Santa Cruz. The goat cheese farm has been operated by an English farmer about 20 years ago. The farm has about 200 goats.
Cheeses can be sampled and bought at the farm.

Lucas snowboarding at Bear Valley

Lucas is taking a snowboarding class with Ally. He has snowboarded only a couple of time before.

Mercer Caverns - golden rush

Lucas and Benoit played outside the cavern with some stones they found around.

Lucas showing his biggest stone.

Not sure that Lucas was supposed to climb the structure.

Mercer Caverns

Last weekend, we planned to ski at Bear Valley on Sunday but the wind was so strong (85 Mph) that Bear Valley did not open. Since we were in the area, we visited the Mercer Caverns at Murphy.
The cavern is 166 feet deep and has some nice stalactites and stalagmites.

In the old time, they used candles to light the cave but since you need your both hands to rappel on a rope, they hold the candle holder with their mouth.

South Bay String Academy Recital

Lucas played for the first time at the South Bay String Academy Recital violin, Benoit for the second time. It was a great event, thanks to Joel.

Bouldering at Castle Rock secret spot

Brian, Joel, Rob, Lucas, Benoit and I went to Castle Rock. The weather was more like summer and we enjoyed our bouldering session.

Benoit dropping the corniche

Update: Check new videos of Lucas and Benoit here:

http://benoit-sc.blogspot.com/

http://lucas-pirate.blogspot.com/

Benoit learned with his development team how to jump the corniche at Bear Valley. It's a blind jump where you cannot spot your landing until you drop. Benoit was unimpressed by the jump (not like his dad).

Click the photo to see the animation.

Benoit in action

Stuck at the Grizzly lift chair

After we made it through Snow Valley, we got stuck for 2 hours at the Grizzly chair which broke down.
Bear Valley gave us free drink and lift chair tickets.

Skier and boarder killing the time at the Grizzly chair.

They made us walk to the next lift chair but it took them a very long time to make it work.
Note the Telemark skiers on the back ground. They usually go down way left and low and hike up to the lift chair.

Claire on Snow Valley

Claire boarded down snow valley for the first time. The run is steep and scary but She made it safely to the lift chair.

Benoit getting ready for its class.

Snow Valley (on the far left, it's a double black diamond called Hara Kiri).

Claire after the first part of the run (Avalanche).

Claire almost there.

Bear Valley epic day

Since Monday was a day off for the kids, we decided to check out Bear Valley slopes. We found the ski resort covered by almost a foot of fresh powder with no body in sight.
We started slowly by going down the lower mountain following the snow valley track. After few runs, we headed to the Grizzly and made an epic descent.

Grizzly has only black diamond runs which cannot be groomed.

Lucas warming up on Snow Valley.

Searching for the powder off track from Snow Valley.

Benoit and Lucas about to drop down Grizzly.

Pictionary party

Isabelle and Francois came to play Pictionary with the kids.

Lucas teamed up with Francois. Lucas is lefty but with a regular stance (snowboard) where Benoit is righty with a goofy stance (lefty). Go wonder!

Duo violin and guitar

Lucas has just started violin since He wanted to play in duo with his brother Benoit.

Benoit learning the chords.

Benoit turns 8

Benoit has just turned eight years old. We bought the birthday cake at Gayle bakery. Benoit got yet another Lego box.

Mars Mission.

Christmas party

Since Santa Claus could not come at Bear Valley during our skiing trip, He left nice Lego toys at our home for our return.

Benoit finally got the Destroyer.

Happy face.

Lucas trying to make some sens to those pile of Lego.