One Step Back

Following the extensive snow making last week the team managed to open the Cruiser chair on Monday, accessed via Merritts chair. Walkabout, Squatters and Ballroom had been groomed and the sun was shining. About a 100 riders, mostly boarders and mostly locals, were up on the ridge to shake out the cobwebs. I was there to do more than 8 consecutive turns – the maximum I’d been getting out on the range.

Ballroom was definitely the pick, hard to get to but once below the traverse that comes in from Gunbarrel, it was firm corduroy to the bottom. Thanks to Gen who passed on the tip.

Unfortunately we have had a return to warm temperatures. Monday night the temperature inversion allowed snow making at lower altitudes but nothing has been made up high since Merritts area opened. I haven’t returned to Merritts since Monday and won’t until more snow (natural or man-made) has been laid down. Even the valiant attempts by Mick and his trusty shovel cannot compete with the wear and tear of all those boarders and the above zero temperatures.

High Noon and Sundance on Monday morning

Upper Supertrail

Looking into Stanley’s

Powder Bowl could do with some more cover

Marion on Ballroom

So when do we get to see snow in Thredbo?

The open runs have a very thin cover with some grass coming through and in some places are also quite narrow.

I’ve been promised snow starting tomorrow (Thursday) and continuing for several days.