Slush Cuppy

Ground Hog Day - day after day until this morning when some cloud helping to filter the sun's rays made for a tad different outlook, otherwise it has been a blue sky week with great snow, generally soft from start to finish. We still have top to bottom skiing via both Supertrail and High Noon. Sundowner finally succumbed to the spring temps but I did a run down the CatWalk late this morning and it was still holding up, albeit a bit thin at the start where the flash flood in September washed over the culvert. The groomers are pulling all stops to keep the bottom runs open and the results have been surprisingly good. The upper slopes are all good. The best is still the early runs before the soft snow pack gets too cut up but then the off piste is good as it doesn't soften as fast.

Yesterday I put in some touring practice with an unscheduled climb up Signature Hill and a run down Exhibition, which required a little climbing as well.

The inaugural Thredbo Slush Cup was held today (Sunday) on Friday Flat to raise money for the Thredbo Community Centre. A good crowd came to compete and watch skiers and boarders attempt to ride, skate, skim or swim across a 60 foot pond of icy water. Unfortunately due to prior commitments I was unable to stay the distance but I have a few photos from the first 30 minutes of the wet and sunny fun. I certainly look forward to next year's event, already promised to be bigger and more difficult to traverse, meaning more wet bodies and bigger splashes.

Peaceful outback touring
vs the frantic pace in The Basin ;-)

Main range from the top of Signature Hill
Powder Bowl and Stanleys

Bottom of Sponars and the bottom of Antons T-bars

Upper Supertrail and Central Spur this arvo

The scene for the Slush Cup on Friday Flat

Survival was important

Sam wore next to nothing while
Duncan was almost cheating in a wet suit

Style was important

Being laid-back was important

Ben from Ski Patrol made the biggest splash
Tele skis make it difficult

It was great to see pro patroller Jethro back on skis for the first time since blowing his knee before the start of the season. From the smile on his face, he is no doubt looking forward to next year without playing touch-footy.

Perisher closes tomorrow but Thredbo rocks on. Only kidding - I'm still on my good skis - no rocks yet ;-)

We had a short rain shower early this afternoon but nothing over the past couple of days to dampen the snow or our spirits. The season is extended until next Sunday and I have been told that all efforts will be taken to keep the resort "Top-To-Bottom" during that time. It will be a record-breaking feat if they can pull it off.

So much for Global Warming. Which reminds me, Tim Bailey (Ten Weather) claimed that in Sydney, this September was the coldest in 15 years. Yep, that Global Warming is great, more snow and for longer periods - bring it on. Oops, is that why they (the Global Warming supporters) changed it to "Climate Change"?

Strange that term "Climate Change". The climate changes every day, so much so that forecasters get it wrong day after day.