A Splendid Long Weekend - Game On

The official start to the Australian Ski Season is marked by the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend and what a weekend we had. Three glorious days of sunshine, calm and crisp and (to add another "c") crowded weekend. It was like the long weekends of a by-gone era when the party long weekend once thrived.

There was something for everyone whether they were interested in snow sports, entertainment, food and wine, games and other activities. For me, of course it was mostly about the skiing (checking out my back) and a little of the others. Lifts opened on schedule initially with the Merritts and Friday Flat areas open and by Sunday (once Traktorman had gone home) we also had High Noon for that longer and steeper run. Mind you, early season conditions did exist on the steeper section of High Noon ;-) The rain earlier in the week and the very cold nights left a firm (and dare I say near indestructible) base with some softer man-made topping.

It was a weekend of meeting up with friends and having a quick chat either on the lifts, slopes or in the village. From Rob, back again ticket checking, to Ronnie and his ski tuning, it was good to see the old faces back in the village and all smiling with the fantastic weather and turn out.

It will probably all quieten down tomorrow, leaving the ever-expanding range of ski runs mostly to the locals. It's amazing how many people simply aren't aware of how much cheaper and how less crowded June is in Thredbo. Yes, there is still cheap accommodation available in the village up until the NSW school holidays.

Early runs on Merritts before the crowds arrived

Top of High Noon and the new guns on the bottom just above Merritts chair

Preparation for the inaugural Long Lunch in the Village Square

The Long Lunch in progress and giant kangaroos
outside the Bakery (under new management)

The Blessing of the Snow - a long held tradition in Thredbo

Wiamea with rain scars

The opening weekend fireworks are always special

And finished with such a crescendo that car alarms were set off around the village

Lower Sundance with High Noon in the background

Close up of steeper gnarlier section of High Noon today
Skiers' left was closed early today

The forecasts are all over the place. The charts look good to me for more natural snow this week and certainly for a heap more man-made.

Spotted on Sunday on lower Sundance, a photographer and a girl in a bikini. Unfortunately I didn't get to my camera in time :-(

Have you seen the new Thredbo.com.au web site? Hmm, probably very pretty and impressive for those who have never visited Thredbo or their web site before but I think seriously lacking in or difficult to find information for the regular visitor to both Thredbo and their web site. Send your feedback. I'll send mine later in the week as I've already seen improvements just over the weekend.

And now for a real Grump: I think it is a real shame that those genuinely honoured in the Queens' Birthday Honour List have their deserved honour degraded by awards given to politicians. I'm not picking out any specific politicians past or present, just politicians in general. Why should they be "honoured" for doing what or not what we elected them and paid them to do and often doing it badly?