Are We Getting Soft?

Monday morning I stayed off the mountain. Very strong winds and icy slopes didn’t entice me out. Then on Tuesday we had a return to the conditions I so remember Thredbo for - blizzards - high wind, falling, blowing snow and low visibility. No one was out in the morning, not that you could see them but the Basin was empty. By the time I reached the top of the Basin T-bar I had less than 3m vision and so decided to leave for more protected areas. Yes, I think we might be getting soft after all those days of sunshine and gentle breezes experienced this season.

There were some nice soft wind drifts to be found and then it cleared overnight. Wednesday morning it started snowing heavily about 7:30am with only a light wind so I rushed out to get up high to get freshies. The snow fall only lasted about 1 hour and then the skies cleared once more. The Bluff was open but there were still many rocks. Next it was into the Basin with Kerry to get freshies. The actual Basin floor is still in pretty poor shape but the drops in from Karels looked promising. We got first T up Karels but the light was very flat. The snow under ski felt great, pity we couldn’t see it. The light improved with each run and gradually the crowds built up as well. Tried the Bluff again but now the rocks were worse having been hidden by people pushing snow over what were previously visible obstacles.

Overnight cloud and varying temps left Thursday with a firming off piste. Big crowds were out in force and the return of the rocks on piste in busy areas. Sundowner was close to being the best snow on the mountain – simply amazing how the snowmaking and low temps have kept this run in such good condition. The Cat track is good as well, considering the crowds.

Wind lifting the snow on Monday above Central Spur

Tuesday crowds at Friday Flat

Cat Track looking good with Tuesday’s snowfall

Snowing in the village both on Tuesday and Wednesday morning

Freshies on Wednesday morning above the Basin

Looking up and down Sundowner

Singles line on Cruiser goes back past tower 1

Roscoe's first photo of slide above traverse to Conrod

Roscoe's second photo showing boarder kicker and 1m+ slice

The heavy wind-loading over Tuesday and Wednesday on top of two unstable layers has resulted in slides around the resort. Hard to believe there is such a risk in such a poor season. Be warned.

The official forecast is not good for the weekend. If the tropical low moves a little further east than expected, we could have a good snow falls otherwise it looks like rain. Yes, I’ve said it, ‘rain’; no one else seems to be able to get it past their lips.