After Five Months Of Continual Skiing

Lifts opened for skiing and boarding in Thredbo on June 8th this year. The arrival of a sunny Saturday November 8th meant that I had been skiing for 5 continual months. It didn’t take much encouragement for me to get the sticks together and head off up the hill and begin my 6th month of continual skiing.

The week had been hot and windy, into double digit temps and never dropping below zero. As a result the snow pack had thawed considerably. The climb up from Snow Gums chair was even more challenging than last Monday. Eagle Way had been cleared of snow and I was in ski boots and not being able to use skins.

We didn’t bother with the skins walking out towards Signature Hill as much of the flatter areas were now devoid of white stuff and the steeper faces of Signature Hill that were covered with snow were still relatively firm under the top couple of centimetres. The 40kph wind kept us cool enough not to perspire but any wind chill was easily kept at bay with our wind stopper jackets.

The remainder of last week’s snow, white and soft, was much stickier than the older dirty snow. As soon as we touched the white snow we knew that we had to seek out the brown. Consequently we planned our next run more carefully. Yes, it was enjoyable enough to have more than one run.

After a casual lunch in Eagle’s Nest (open all week except Mondays even while the Kosi Chair is closed) I went back to the base of Signature Hill to have a little work out with my kite. Unfortunately the wind was gusting and way too erratic. Every time I got moving the wind would suddenly drop to the point that the kite just fell out of the sky. That’s mountain winds for you.

Practicing for Japan? Ray & Lynne slogging up Signature Hill

Atop Signature Hill looking east towards the top of Crackenback

Behind Signature Hill looking west into the main range

The dirty snow was faster than the white snow that fell last week

Ray working that dirty snow

Richard & Ray going back for more

Leaving the carnage for lunch at Eagle’s Nest

Melted parts of Signature Hill rush to join the Thredbo River

Saturday Nov 1st, Sunday Nov 2nd and finally Saturday Nov 8th

The Kosciuszko Express is open next weekend while the Snowy Ride (charity bike ride) is in the village. Weather depending, I'll take advantage of the higher lifted access and attempt another trip to Mt Kosciuszko with skis in hand.