Getting Better And Better - Deeper And Deeper

I didn’t go out on Monday, back and neck pain was saying ‘take a day off’. Seeing only a couple of lifts open due to the high winds I knew I had made the right decision. Tuesday I managed to get a chiro appointment in Jindabyne and so stayed off the hill again. It snowed and blew all day long – very light dry snow with temperatures remaining well below zero for many days now.

Today (Wednesday) the mountain was open, although it was still blowing somewhat and the temperature was still way down. For the first time in years, I actually put on an extra layer to combat the cold. The snow report said 25cm of fresh up top and 15cm in the village. Add to this another big night of snow making. I rushed out with Jackie to get first lift but obviously didn’t rush enough as there was a substantial queue already formed on Kosi chair. But there was a problem – half way through loading chairs the whole process stopped. Jackie made the first move and I followed soon after – jumping out of the Kosi queue and making a dash for Snowgums chair, as it was now 8:30.

We were on chair 6 or 7. At the top the conditions were variable. On the ridge line above old Kareela station there was a frozen surface where the wind had prevented any new snow sticking. The exposed SW facing slopes had hard wind pack and sastrugi. Then I dropped into the boot deep powder, which varied in density depending upon the aspect, eventually popping out of the trees on to True Blue which was a treat. When I got to the bottom the Kosi chair still had not started. The queue was even longer and we skated around to Snowgums once more. Kosi chair started a while later and as we alighted at the top of Snowgums the first of the Kosi chair riders were just getting off. A surprise awaited all those you headed into the Bluff, as there had been two small slides – I don’t know if ski patrol set them off or simply too much wind loading – in either case it was not going to make for a very pleasant descent.

Up high off Karels, Sponars and Antons the cloud was freezing on our goggles and the visibility was around 1 metre.

Early turns on a delicious True Blue

A groomed Bunny Walk and the Cat Walk

Jackie off the Rim Run - will the new trend hair style catch on?

The big Fat Love skis sinking into the fresh

Above the tennis courts at the bottom of Merritts chair

Sponars during a clear moment

Antons and top of High Noon

The forecasts are all over the place having heard a completely contrasting report on the radio to what I read on the web. All I can say is that more snow is coming but I have no idea how much. I think it will remain really cold and the thus the snow quality will stay great.

The sun has broken through briefly and it is snowing again. Bring your chains. The cover on the roads is the best I have seen in years.