Topping Up For The Last Week Of School Hols

First came the rain then after fresh snow on Friday night and strong winds blowing even more in from the main range the rush was on for first tracks on Saturday morning. The 10cm or so up top was dense enough that you didn't break through to the dirt and rocks beneath. Even the 5cm at the bottom had covered the grass and gravel but it was only good where it was untracked.

Poor visibility and continual snowfalls on Saturday kept many off the mountain while the rest of us chased the untracked stashes all day long. The snow depth and quality kept improving all day.

Tired legs didn't prevent us getting back out first thing on Sunday. Clear skies brought out all the fair-weather snow lovers and lift lines were long on Basin and Cruiser. Karels was particulary nice with many fresh lines being laid. The wind drifts and left overs from Saturday were great. The good visibility meant you could get into all those spots that you couldn't see or access on Saturday.

High Noon and Sundowner reopened although I didn't temp fate. I brought the good boards out for both Sunday and Monday. Sponars T-bar opened today for the first time this season and the crowds were almost as big as Sunday's. Today's snow was considerably firmer (even the wind blown stashes) than the last two days but this means it will last longer.

Fresh but thin on middle slopes - Saturday morning

High Noon on Sunday

Peter and I got first tracks on the high entrance to The Basin

Dead Horse Gap run with a soft but thin cover

Sponars T-bar open for the first time this season

Work has begun on building the big half pipe above Cruiser chair

A lot of snow was made down low last night. The forecast says there's a possibility of snow on Tuesday but the grand claims of a big dump Tuesday through Thursday are now less enthusiastic.

I'd put last weekend down as the best two days so far this season and the run to Dead Horse Gap late yesterday afternoon was a great finishing touch.