The Big Blow

The winds really picked up this week closing much of the mountain. Yesterday was the worst affecting skiers and boarders as only Friday Flat was open till late in the afternoon. Small snowfalls during the week kept adding to the base except for the bottom of the Supertrail which was looking very sad before last night’s snowfall and a huge night of snowmaking.

Dave Kuhn, head of the ski patrol, told me that the winds were the strongest he had ever experienced in Woodridge with trees being blown over.

Today the winds dropped to ‘strong’ and we were provided with a clear blue-sky day. The wind chill was way, way down below –20C. The wind drifts were (dare I say) epic. The Bluff had boot deep super dry powder. Lower down out of the wind the conditions changed somewhat. Some deep wind slab, some dry powder, some icy lumps and finally the lower slopes were very, very firm corduroy. Extremely fast and the winds were not allowing any new snow to settle on the corduroy.

By far the best were the upper slopes and Antons and Sponars were delightful. There was no one around and even if there had been the winds covered your tracks between runs – Ground Hog Day all over.

There was even a slide in the resort (between Antons and Sponars) which kept the ski patrol really busy checking every cornice and roll over for potential slippage. Quite amazing considering there has been so little snow this week. The weak spots must be due to wind loading and there’s been lots of wind.

Kareela Hutte snow cat. Were expecting the Hutte to be open on Friday

Big crowds on High Noon last Monday as winds closed lifts

Tuesday’s ice cream covering of natural snow

More lovely creamy covering below Bunny Walk

Fresh powder on Sponars this morning

Wiamea is well set up

The slide near Antons T-bar

Snow fence destroyed by wind or ? at the top of Sponars T-bar

Another front is expected tonight with more snow. If the winds stay down enough to keep the lifts open and the temperatures stay down the weekend could be very enjoyable.