Spring Time Is Upon Us

Spring finally hit Thredbo on Thursday but a surprise snowfall over Wednesday night enticed me out for 90 minutes before driving to Canberra. The same happened to Rosco, who was leaving for Melbourne the same morning. After a couple of resort runs with ‘dust on crust’ Rosco, Phil and I headed into Golf Course. I was surprised at the quality and depth of the snow.

Friday brought forth the full Spring thing. Solid corduroy that softened quickly while the off piste remained truly teeth shattering.

Saturday and the crowds returned. It was time to go out back. The north face of Signature Hill was just right by the time we got to it, although the snow was a little variable. Then it was off up to the Ramsheads where both Waz and I tried a little kiting but the wind had dropped by the time we were set up. A brilliant long run down to Bogong Creek was followed by a surprisingly fast and untracked run to Dead Horse Gap.

Sunday was more of the same just a little more overcast. The corduroy softened quickly while the off piste remained firm till late morning. The wind was a little stronger but I only got to kite a short distance in either direction. Disappointing because there were several other kiters on the main range having better success than I with their much larger flying machines. Finally, we repeated yesterday's run into Bogong and down to Dead Horse Gap which, revealed slightly softer and slower snow than on the day before.

The lower slopes are showing some wear and tear as Spring temperatures warm the village. Maximum temps up high are now going above freeze level each day and the resultant overnight drop into minus temps means hard packed mornings softening later in the rising sun. This is what Spring skiing is all about. I doubt if there will many people around this week and hopefully, now the Big Air and races are over, the groomers will get back to grooming more runs like they did a week ago.

Frosted branches after Wednesday night's snowfall

Saturday Peak on Thursday

Saturday's Flare run detoured to Sundance and the Big Air

Finale to the freeride series in Thredbo

Traktoman and Wazza on the north face of Signature Hill

Wazza flying his kite below the Ramsheads

Wazza and Jax descending to Bogong

Jax off piste while Traktoman contemplates his next move

Wazza and yours truly with kites (photo by Traktorman)

Charlie ripping Thredbo today (photo by Lynne)

There may be a little snow over the next few nights due to a southwesterly stream of cold air. There was the odd snow flake falling on the Ramsheads today.

The forecasters are plugging for snow next week and beyond. A top up would be nice. I haven't heard the snow guns in many a night and that may herald the end of snow making for 2008. Despite some 24-hour periods providing us with 25cm of new snow, we still haven’t had a single big dump this season so based on the law of averages we should see one somewhere in the next 4 weeks.

A good night was had by all at Black Bear celebrating Charlie’s 80th birthday and Charlie did get out and ski Friday through Sunday with a trip to Dead Horse Gap (on the fattest skis Charlie had ever seen) thrown in.

Grumpy Report: There was what we call a “Groomer’s Surprise” at the bottom of Little Beauty this morning. Following the very fast and firm grooming to within 30 metres of the exit suddenly there was no more grooming – just frozen chopped off piste. May be another litre or two of diesel would have completed an enjoyable run away from the race-closed World Cup.

PS: It has just started snowing in the village :-)