Labrador ski club helping babies hit the trails
Sharing passion for skiing with a newborn is special, parents say
A ski club in western Labrador has a new program to get even the smallest people out on local trails.
The Menihek Minis program at Menihek Nordic Ski Club in Labrador City is open to newborns and toddlers up to three years old, and lets parents pull them along in a ski chariot at a discount.
Makaila Hudson — who now takes her 11-month-old son Lochlan on ski rides with her — pitched the idea as a way for parents and newborns to enjoy the outdoors.
She hopes getting children involved in skiing at a young age will help foster a lifelong love of the activity.
"Maybe the kid will get interested and join the jackrabbit ski program. Then they can go on to the race program," Hudson told CBC this week.
Hudson said she picked up her love for skiing in Grade 5, which led to years of competition and a continued love for the sport.
She said getting to share that with Lochlan is special.
"I love it. I hope he's interested in it at least, even just to get outside for a little ski," she said.
"It's something that I'm passionate about, and hopefully I can pass it on and get his friends interested."
Hudson said other parents have also found that joy on the trails, including some trying skiing for the first time with their newborns.
She hopes the group of skiers young and old can grow in the future.
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With files from Labrador Morning
