A Minor Wash Out

The many days of snow that where being forecast for some time simply disappeared. Friday was miserable and I didn’t bother going out. Saturday OK but no new snow of any notice. The air borne moisture softened the snow a little and I got to have several runs down Lovers Leap Bypass. That was fun but by midday it was getting somewhat agricultural.

The winds for which Thredbo is so well known finally put in an ugly appearance shutting both Kozi Express and the Cruiser, and so, many of us left the slopes to enjoy a pizza and a glass of good red.

An invite by the new owners to Candlelight was most enjoyable as many member of the Thredbo Chamber of Commerce found. Thanks to John, Mark and Jane.

Today we where welcomed with about 10cm of wet fresh up top but only rain in the village. There was a distinct visible line around 1600m where snow ceased and rain began. The only option was to go to Merritts and ride the Cruiser as that meant not having to ski and ride through the rainy barrier. The off piste looked inviting but the amount of new snow did well to hide the rocks without necessarily protecting you from them. At least some of the runs without snowmaking were back online. Squatters Run, Ballroom and Valley View held up well but by mid afternoon they were showing signs of wear and tear.

I saw a groomer at the top of Antons T-bar this morning and the T’s are back on the cable. Karels looks good and I spotted the boss testing Easy Rider T-bar with his snow mobile this afternoon so I suspect we will see one or more T-bars opening soon in the Resort.

My run off the mountain this afternoon was done High Noon looking more like a black run with wet moguls and scraped valleys covered by ski school classes crashed out in all directions. The groomers have their work cut out for them. The humid conditions have meant no snowmaking for a few nights and I suspect the same again tonight.

Moon over Crackenback - Thursday night

Looking down Lover's Leap Bypass - Saturday

Looking up the same

Some people never get over mowing the lawns on Saturday morning

Rainbow from Bunny Walk station

Snow in the trees at Cruiser

Annie downloads - a wise decision considering the state of High Noon

A black run or High Noon - wet bumps and bodies

We still need another 20cm to open the rest of the resort. With mainstream school holidays starting this weekend the numbers are up and the stress of existing runs is high. All that said, I think Thredbo still has the best conditions in Australia.

Watch out for good snowfalls towards the end of this week – and about time.

Please check out the campaign to return Kosciuszko Park entry fees back to something reasonable - click here.