The Crowded Slopes of December Skiing

Despite the 67mm of rain last weekend and being only a couple of days from the longest day of the year, I was quite surprised yesterday on a walk out from Eagles Nest to see how much snow was still on Summer Drift.

Today I thought that just one more ski for the year was in order. Even more surprisingly was finding Marion in a makeshift starting-gate on the Drift reminiscing bygone years when Christmas races were held on Summer Drift.

The snow was firm, pockmarked, bouncy and so much fun. Although the air temperature was up around 16C under the hot summer sun there was also a wind blowing between 30 and 40 kph, which kept us cool and the flies away.

Several people asked me: "is there is enough snow to ski?" and "did you find any snow?". Well, the longest run was 19 turns down and 260 steps back up. The shortest was 10 turns and 140 steps back up. I had 8 runs to finish off 2012.

As I left there were many tourists walking out to the Drift to have a play on the snow surrounded by the spectacular wild flower display.

Sig Hill seen across ridgelines of wild flowers

Close up of the Main Face with my old tracks still just visible
Check out my other December days

Alpine wild flowers of all colours
and in the distance people playing on the snow

The flowerbeds are truly amazing

Marion in a 'starting gate' of old ski poles found above the slope

Another bird on the snow enjoying the smorgasbord of frozen dinners (cryopacked insects)

The firm, uneven and bouncy snow pack was fast and fun

Yes, you could kick up a little spray in places

Looking across the Basin, the orange wild flowers look like rust

The usual shot from the bridge for those watching the thaw

Merry Christmas. Drive safely.

Two days to 21-12-12. May be I'll be back after that and then may be I won't ;-)