Even Softer

Following my report about some of us becoming ‘soft’, the weather over the weekend turned the snow very soft. We had a little over 10cms of fresh snow to greet us on Saturday morning while it was wet in the village but the early morning snows had settled in the treetops as far down as Lovers Leap station. During the day, the snow line kept creeping up the hill and stopped around Kareela. You did not need edges but waterproof gloves were totally necessary.

The off piste (yes we got some) was soft and sticky to say the least. I had some enjoyable turns in fresh ice cream but had to work hard to keep the rock hoppers gliding through what at times felt like Perkins paste (showing my age, no doubt).

A fog appeared to roll in just prior to the flare run and moisture on goggles was enough to get one flare run participant going around the top bull wheel of Snowgums dangling from a chair. All ended well, no names mentioned.

The fog continued all night, pumping even more moisture into an already sodden snow pack. Hard work for the snow cats and no work for the snow makers. Sunday, changeover day, had very few people on the mountain. The snow was a little faster on piste but still slowish and we didn’t even bother with the off piste, now boot deep sticky mush. Early in the afternoon the fog started to weep lightly, just enough to blur your vision.

University week is now upon us so I figure that the slopes will be really quiet for the first few hours each morning but the bars will be busy till the wee small hours.

Snowmaking on Friday morning - the last before the big damp

Tommy and fellow patrollers above World Cup on Friday morning

Centra Spur - Sponars T-bar still not open due to lack of snow

The Bluff

A large kite in a light breeze connected to skier and sled - there's a story there somewhere

Supertrail Sunday morning

World Cup above mid station - it is thin in areas with out a man made base

Kareela Face - very agricultural

Top of Karels was in fog all day

Good snow beside Racecourse under Snowgums, even if a little brown in places

We were indeed lucky not to get the forecast torrents of tropical rain. The breeze has now switched the south and we may get a few more snow showers over the next two days.

If you are in Thredbo next Friday evening, come and celebrate Tommy Tomasi's 80th birthday with the premier screening of "Tommy, A Life Well Travelled", a movie by Rebel Penfold Russell, Friday 6pm in the Schuss Bar.

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