Big Snows – Big Crowds

After a heavy sudden dumping of snow on Friday afternoon it continued to snow on and off all night leaving the roads in a somewhat chaotic condition.

With the new snows and the start of school holidays we had the longest lift line of the season awaiting first ride up the Kosciuszko Express to get the freshies on Saturday morning. The snow pack was variable to say the least. Boarders and skiers (including yours truly) were caught off guard as the snow ranged from firm wind-pack to breakable crust and deep heavy wind drifts.

The Basin and Sponars T-bars eventually opened giving access to more untracked. Thredbo was now fully operational save for Karels T-bar (closed, I believe, due to staff shortage rather than snow pack).

After the initial rush on Saturday morning the crowds were no longer an issue. Remember it is still June and Funnel Web and The Schuss were officially open.

The last corner on the Supertrail at Ski-in Ski-out still remains as the only thin spot in the resort. There was a little snowmaking but more snow needs to be deposited on this one place, while the alternate lines into the village, Lover's Leap and Lover's Leap Bypass were just fine.

Thanks to John (for the lift back) I got to do my first Dead Horse Gap run for the season. The cover is very deep, the snow quality mostly heavy.

Snow covered trees on Saturday morning

View down The Schuss looking towards the village

Paul on The Schuss after lunch

Grooming Sponars – about to open for the first time this year

Super Groomed Supertrail on Sunday morning

The route to Dead Horse Gap looking very inviting

Sun affected cover on the descent to Dead Horse Gap

Mary, on the deep base, having completed her first ever DHG run

Winds picking up on Crackenback.

This morning as I write this there are gale force winds howling across the top of the resort and most lifts are on wind-hold. More strong winds are forecast for th enext few days.