Running Out Of Superlatives

"Superlatives" - no, not "super laxatives" - big words to describe what has occurred this weekend.

As you would probably have heard, it snowed, but there is way more to this story. If you read my last report you will know that I downloaded on Friday due to lack of snow on Supertrail, then it rained almost all Friday night, only turning to snow before dawn.

Then it snowed and it blowed, snowed and blowed, blowed and snowed all Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday, and it’s still snowing and blowing. Without doubt this has been the second biggest snowfall of the season, possibly the biggest as it doesn’t seem to be over yet. It was not a weekend for the faint-hearted. The weather was very cold; the visibility not good and there was very little groomed snow but lots of deep. Just about every local was out today ;-)

So, what was good yesterday? Just about anything except the lowest slopes. The new snow was dry with a quality as good as the best this year. I found an average of around 10cm of new. Up high on Rim Run, Antons and Waimea our tracks were filled in on each return run. The wind was very strong and the wind chill way down there but the 5 lifts continued to operate. We never seemed to get those gale force winds that have been in the forecasts for the last 3 days.

My favourite slope was Merritts Falls - untracked, deep and dry on both days. There were some long untracked powder runs elsewhere early on both mornings. I managed first chair yesterday thanks to Scot and third chair this morning.

Speaking of which, a very funny thing happened this morning. A large crowd gathered to wait for Kosi chair to open. Delays were initially for de-icing and then they wouldn’t let us on till Basin T-bar was running. Mal, who had his skis lined up for first chair, went off to socialise only to find the lift opened while he was several metres from his skis. A lot of yahoo and everyone trampled around and over Mal’s skis to leave him way back in the queue. Good one Mal.

Today’s snow was more wind packed than yesterday’s but way deeper. Powder trench lines were 30cm deep. The slopes out of the wind held the deepest rewards but it was all fun. I’m sure Ronnie will have an excess of business repairing bases for many days to come. I hit a couple of rocks, can't say where, but my bases will live to ski another day. Traktorman got his boards to Ronnie after lunch.

An awesome weekend. I’d love to tell you more but … well, er, most of the mountain was officially closed so I don’t know whose tracks they were down Supertrail, True Blue, Bluff, High Noon, Michaels Mistake or any of those other places but they looked good from the chairlifts. Traktorman just had to ring Rosco and tell him all about it – how cruel can you get?

It was a late season weekend that we will remember and talk about for a long time to come. There are not a lot of photos due to weather conditions and for other reasons (including: why would I want to stop and take photos when on an untracked slope?).

Today was the last day for Merritts. A huge farewell and gi-normous thank you to Sonja, Warren, Dana and all the crew for all the coffees, gourmet food, cakes, schnapps and chats.

Early starters for Kosciuszko Express Saturday and Sunday

Traktorman on Rim Run - Saturday

I believe I can see Traktorman smiling

Amazing coloured ice formations behind Eagles Nest

Crackenback on Saturday afternoon

High Noon and Sundance on Saturday afternoon

Lower Supertrail this morning

Blizzard on Merritts today - the snow was wonderful, the vis not so good

Someplaces had great new snow (World Cup) others didn’t

Frozen waterfall above Gunbarrel – compare to last Sunday’s report

I don’t know what happened to the fat lady or her family, obviously something went awry with the planning. Unfortunately other plans were set in motion before this weekend's dump and tomorrow there will be no Antons, Cruiser or Merritts - burger that. May be tomorrow we will have Kosi mid station open for the first time in centuries. The snow above mid station is really good.

And ... it's still snowing!