Going Going Gondola to High Romance

What a week it has been. Following the soft and damp conditions on Sunday I got freshies on Anton’s on Monday morning. After two runs (untracked above tree line) in the lovely ice-cream textured snow, where edges were not required, I decided to move on as the lift queue on Antons suddenly grew enormously.

On Monday night I was privileged to join many others in riding the gondolas up to a “Let It Snow” party at Eagles Nest. The evening was going a treat when entertainer Ross Ward took a short break and our host David, got down on one knee, pulled out a ring and proposed to his long time partner, Penny. From here on it all got quite emotional and truly everyone had a really great time. How some got to work the next day is a wonder. I suppose some didn’t.

Tuesday morning arrived and there was a total freeze across the mountain from top to bottom. It was all ‘very’ firm and the steep section of High Noon was a field of frozen marbles. Conditions were not good for hangovers and even though I was OK in that department, I didn’t stay out too long on the teeth chattering concrete. I probably did more damage to my rock hoppers on this one day than in the entire season so far.

On Wednesday I had a ‘sanity attack’ and decided not to go out. Reports were of equally frozen, scratchy, concrete type conditions. However we had a dusting on Wednesday night and it was still drizzling when I went out this morning. No more ‘sanity attacks’ for a while. The report said 5cm of fresh and that was about it up top and only clear stuff falling in the village. As I approached the top, ski patrol were opening World Cup. Yee ha – freshies. Well more like a couple of centimetres of yoghurt on a frozen, ungroomed base, but freshies all the same. On my second ride up Kosi Express, Ski Patrol were opening up under the chair itself. The ‘closed’ signs were moved to the southern side – the Bluff and beyond still closed awaiting more snow.

The off piste is very hard underneath - I think it was ice rather than rock – with about 5cm of fresh on top. Nice while it was untracked, and that was only for two runs. The Supertrail was softer than it has been in the last two days and the Milk Run was more like sorbet than anything else. It turned out to be a good workout for the legs and edges were not required. Just as well, as mine are now none existent. Today was the first day since school holidays started that I actually had runs all to myself. What a difference some extra skiable terrain can make.

Antons T-bar – Monday, now open for season 2006

Eagle Way as seen from Antons

Top of Gun Barrel

Queue on Antons grew quickly

The first decent set of turns I’ve seen this season – Roscoe & Grahame

Big holiday crowds at Cruiser chair

Rainbow over Milk Run this morning

Supertrail below Bunny Walk

World Cup officially opened today with freshies

Under Kosi chair was also opened today for the first time this year

For those lucky enough to witness Dave and Penny’s engagement, there is a great slide show of photos on the computer up at Eagles Nest.

The clouds are now clearing and I don’t see much happening from the sky until next week. The main range will be the place to be if the winds subside.

Congratulations to Dave and Penny and thanks for a truly memorable night. Looking forward to an annual repeat of the ‘Let It Snow Party’.

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