A few years ago when my southern California-born spouse really started lamenting Maine winters, I suggested we try a winter sport. After discussing our options, my husband thought it would be fun if he and I to learned to snowboard. Neither of us knew how so taking classes together seemed appealing. And the kids could take their own class and learn to ski.

We found discount coupons for classes at a mountain close to home and gave it a try. That was three years ago. And after three or four lessons each season, the kids are good skiers with solid technique and love the thrill of racing down the mountain. I, on the other hand, can ride down the mountain without falling — much — but I plod along at a slower pace and haven't even considered trying a terrain park or diamond.

Because each member of our family approaches our time on the mountain differently, we've come up with some rules to keep the day fun for all of us.

1. Everyone is responsible for their own equipment.
Carrying the kids' skis, boots and helmets along with my own gear and the snack cooler would mean I'd spend half of the day running between the car and the lodge. Teaching the kids to carry their own gear keeps expectations clear about each family member's responsibilities for our day on the mountain.

2. Make sure everyone is warm and comfortable.
We each wear several layers of clothes to stay warm for our day outside. As we warm up, we peel off layers to stay comfortable (which we store in the lodge with our cooler). The kids wear helmets, so they don't need hats. This makes things easier on them, since they only have to keep track of their gloves and neck warmers on the slopes.

3. Choose a meeting place at the base of the mountain after each run.
Before we get on the lift, we choose a place to meet after our run. The kids, particularly my 7-year-old who bombs down the mountain much faster than I prefer, reach the base at least a few minutes ahead of my husband and I. A meeting place ensures that I can check in with them to make sure they're OK before getting back on the lift. We usually choose a large flag, a picnic table area or other large landmark that's easy to see at the base of the trail.

4. Teach the kids to be courteous on the slopes.
I've seen kids ski and board too fast down the mountain, lose control and get a little too close to other skiers and riders. Mistakes happen, but I remind my kids each time we go to the mountain to keep some space between themselves and other skiers and boarders. I don't want them to be responsible or be part of a fall or crash with another person that could have been avoided.

Here's a few other things we do to prepare for our day at the mountain that keep things simple and fun.

1. Pack lots of healthy snacks.
My Italian grandmother always told me that the key to keeping your family happy was to keep them well fed. I've taken that piece of advice to heart. Before we head out to the mountain, the kids stuff a granola bar and a piece of candy in their pockets. It gives them a needed boost of energy on the slopes or chairlift when they need it. We also pack more nutritious snacks and water in a small cooler that we store in the lodge. It's great to have something quick to eat when we get hungry between runs — and it keeps from getting gouged on expensive lodge food.

2. Allot time for breaks and different levels of endurance.
My 8-year-old has a lot more energy and endurance than her parents. My 7-year-old, on the other hand, needs to take breaks more often because she doesn't have the same muscle tone and ability as her sister. My husband and I switch off taking breaks with whomever needs it.

3. Be realistic about how much time will be spent on the slopes.
We know people who ski from opening to closing (about eight hours), but we've never done that. We've found that planning four to five hours at the mountain is more than enough for us. And we've found that a lot of mountains offer block time lift passes. This allows visitors to purchase a lift pass for a specific portion of the day; we've found night skiing one of the cheapest options this year for our family.

With some planning and preparation — like most activities with children — a day at the slopes can be a lot of fun.