Big End To Winter

The last day of winter started with torrential rain. About 6am it started to snow and it is still snowing now.

The river has burst it banks and looks to be up about 1m from yesterday. So much rain fell last night that the Kosciuszko Express could not be opened till mid morning after snow ploughs had pushed enough snow into the top so that snow riders were not on the bare pavers and gravel road.

The new snow was lovely – fast and silky. In places I found 20-25cm deep untracked pockets. The rest of it was around 15cm deep. There were no lift lines even with all upper T-bars closed due to lack of visibility. The winds are not stopping the lifts but it was reported that last night winds got up to 170kph. I can’t verify it because the weather station took a lightning strike and is still out of action.

The wind has been strong enough to keep filling in our tracks and visibility was difficult away from the trees but the powder has most enjoyable. One scary scenario that kept reoccurring was the opening of creeks. The heavy rains have washed out under the snow all over the mountain. Often the only clue to a problem was a little hole in the snow base but then there were instances of the snow base collapsing under you into the creeks - a little disconcerting to say the least.

Bare patches on Upper Supertrail yesterday before the rains

Yesterday

This morning

The river is raging

Looking down towards Tower 10

Frosted snowmobiles seeking shelter at Eagles Nest

One of the creeks opening up near the top of True Blue

This was only grass yesterday

The village has a good covering

It looks as though the snowfalls will continue for a while yet. Tomorrow morning could be (dare I say it) awesome. Where grass was yesterday there is snow today. The village is covered in white and it appears that wintry conditions will prevail into spring.