Bubbles Week

Clicquot have made quite an impression on Thredbo with their 'Clicquot in the Snow' festival. Their distinctive yellow can be found both in the village and on the slopes. Meanwhile I've had consecutive trips to Dead Horse Gap over the past 3 days where a modest amount of bubbles were consumed after completing each exhilarating run on light fresh snow. May be Clicquot would like to sponsor some or ALL of our runs to Dead Horse Gap?

Despite them being here for some days, I ran into Cassie & James in The Basin only yesterday. It's great to see them back in Thredbo, even if only for a short stay. They both turned up at Dead Horse Gap today as well - just like the old days ;-)

Yesterday there was quite a group of us doing the Dead Horse thing, many having their first experience of skiing out of the resort. It looked like every one had a great time. The wonderful part of getting a dusting of fresh snow every night is having fresh tracks every day, even if only 1 or 2cms deep. The temperature up top has remained below zero for over a week now and the snow quality is fantastic. Sure, it's not Japan but then the avalanche danger is a little less as well ;-)

This morning, like the past few, was fast and fun. After a couple of scorchers, I left Peter & Brian to keep Duncan occupied on Crackenback, and I went to Exhibition, which was a real treat early up with perfect grooming all the way to the trees, through the trees, across the first traverse and straight down the face of Q5 to the main traverse. What a great, straight and long run. If only it could go all the way to the back door of Sponars T-bar.

An added splash of colour on the slopes of Thredbo
Should I bring out the old banana suit? May be not ;-)

Some of yesterday's crew en route to DHG

Marion explaining the dangers of snow snakes to the first timers

Fresh dust on the final descent followed by a tipple in the car park

Bubbles for the crowd (photo by the other Richard)
Clicquot colours around Kareela Hutte

Marion leads a small group in from above Bogong this morning

Andy enjoying the daily freshies

I chose my own descent and waited for the others at the bottom

Bogong Creek beginning to show the effects of the -7C nights

The skies turned grey this afternoon.

There appears to finally be a change in the weather approaching. We have had mostly sunny calm days with a little snow each afternoon or evening but today the winds were increasing and there was a very bright ring around the sun.

PS: Chris: Thanks for the beers. Am saving them for the appropriate time. Come to Thredbo and I'll share ;-)

Today's Grump of Olympic sized proportions: How pathetic much of the Australian media is. The media make it very difficult for me to get interested in the Olympics. First, all this over-hype about 'missiles', 'assassins' and the like then the crap they put on Australian Olympians when they don't win gold medals.

This morning, when reporting the result of the men's 100m freestyle swim, they said such inane things as "missing out by only getting a silver medal" and "having to settle for silver". If they think that a silver Olympic medal is such a loss then they should try it. The Australian media are 'so' responsible for the stress and pressures placed on Australian Olympians. Why don't they just shut up and let the athletes do what they do?

If there are any "disappointments" in regards to the Olympics it's the presenters on TV & radio and those writing in the newspapers. They're the "losers". Get a life!