The 2012 Winter Wrap (in white)

What a difference several days (and nights) with the big hair-dryer blowing and a day of rain can make to a previously functioning ski resort. There hadn't been a freeze since my last report and the temperature up top reached as high as +12C. The snow pack was soft every day and you could see the drop in base level every morning.

The rain had started falling around 6:00am on Saturday morning and it didn't let up until ... I awoke this morning and everything was covered in white - double take - fresh snow in the village? I hadn't expected that!

Obviously I didn't ski yesterday - I don't do 'rain' but despite the switch to daylight saving this morning, the sight of fresh snow got me going and I even managed first chair. There were only 2-3cms of new. In some places there were sheets of ice - yesterday's frozen rain and in some spots I found up to 20cm of very soft fresh. I won't call it dry and it did slab a little but it was 'fresh' and it was October 7th.

After several runs on and off piste in the Basin and a quick coffee at Eagles Nest, I found a quicker way off the mountain than downloading and made my couch just in time for the start of the Bathurst 1000 ;-)

Yesterday I had a full set of photos ready for my next report then today provided me with another full set of photos so I've had to cull a few to squeeze both sets into one report.

Wednesday. First time Linda has made first chair - ever
Heinz & Scot above a still full Kareela Face
Sloppy Soupytrail - still do-able today, just a little thinner ;-)

Top of Karels and below, the groomed run to the Basin
The caution sign warned one of the impending wash out ;-)

Friday: Acacia (K7Adventures.com.au) found this boulder on the Alpine Way
and the cause - a fallen, termite infested tree

Today - Sunday at 6:00 (or 7:00 daylight saving time)

Riding first chair past World Cup this morning (it's a staffer in front)

Ski Patrol check the untracked Rim Run then get to work packing up

Ski Patrol on and off piste; Daniel carving the cord
and left to right: Peter, Sofia & Butch
Not bad for the last day of an extended season

Top of the mountain at 7:00am
and again at 1:00pm but still below 0C

What a comparison: Kosi Mid station on Thursday morning
The Bluff this afternoon

Kate has perfectly summed up how I feel about the season :-)

So here we are at the end of another season (in bounds) in Thredbo. After completing only 51 days to the end of last year's 'official' season due to a back injury I was pleased to say I've had 106 this year, although 2 were in May and 1 was at Charlotte Pass.

I thought it was a great season but to really put that into context I leave the final comments to Kasee (Cees Koeman, who's been in Thredbo for around 50 years). Last Sunday I rode with Kasee on Gunbarrel chair and he said I could quote him regarding his thoughts on season 2012. Kasee said he thought 2012 was the best ever season for skiing in Thredbo. Sure there was more snow in 1964 but no grooming. The combination of great grooming and snow-making, together with the volume of natural snow fall, the lack of rain and generally cold weather, makes this the best ever ski season in Thredbo.

And I must agree; the quality of the snow was fantastic, the grooming was great, the liftees friendlier than ever, the ski patrol - ever present yet tolerant ;-) the shuttle bus drivers always had a wave, the coffee makers were creative and there were no or few lift queues (as numbers were way down this year). Apologies to all those I've not mentioned here.

Then there are those who weren't here this year. We remember Robin whenever skiing the Bluff and miss Sally & Rob. And for all those who left the slopes for medical reasons, we hope you recover quickly: Jax, Brett & Jane to mention just a few.

Of course, it's not over yet. The fat lady tried her best on Saturday but there are still some turns to be had out back. That sets me another challenge - to out-do my personal best of 112 days in a single Australian season. The bureau is forecasting more snow later this week ;-)