Ski Weekend at Boreal off I-80

Ski weekend at Boreal, which sits right on the ridge at the Castle Peak exit off I-80 near Donner Summit — you're barely off the freeway before you're standing at 7,200 feet with skis on. Bright and clear all day, hardly any wind on the lower slopes.

Most of the day belonged to the little one, who spent the morning on the beginner runs with those short red skis, mom hovering close behind. By afternoon the kid was in the learning area with the other small skiers, working past the green cones in a wedge, arms out for balance, and actually getting down the hill upright most of the time. The instructors in blue kept the whole line of kids moving like ducklings.

Boreal is a small hill — seven lifts — but it runs night skiing until 8, so the place stays busy well past when other spots close. We didn't stay that late. The red skis are already speaking Völkl above the kid's ambitions, planted in the snow next to us at every break.