What To Do With So Much Snow?

Uni week had generally clear blue skies and cold crisp days. The grooming has been superb. Base depth overall is excellent although there are some worn spots, mostly on ridgelines where the wind has stripped the cover.

The cold days and nights have allowed a ton of snow to be made and this has greatly enhanced the bottom of the mountain. Something rare occurred in snow making this week – an extensive cover has been laid at the bottom of Lover’s Leap Bypass.

Today the weather pattern broke and together with strong winds, cold temps and very high humidity the wind-chill felt like –25C at the top of Sponars T-bar. The crowds were up as well and there were queues on the more popular lifts (not Sponars).

The answer to the title question: build more terrain parks. More snow sculpture (the cat drivers would think it is an art) has started appearing around the resort. Firstly there is some sort of terrain park growing on the Meadows area between Snowgums and Kosi Express. Then there are big works going on skiers right of Antons T-bar for (so I’m told) the Sprite Sessions. There could be some serious air in here. Meanwhile I still have not seen the 3 big jumps (skiers left of Antons T-bar) open to date. I’m sure they are keeping many people out of Michael’s Mistake and the Tunnel.

Setting up snow guns at the bottom of Lovers Leap Bypass

Looking from the top of Sponars T-bar across to Karels T-bar

Afternoon shadows over Thredbo yesterday afternoon

True Blue this morning

Merritts today

Work beside Antons preparing for the Sprite Sessions

New terrain park on Meadows

Heavy black clouds are rolling in and the forecasters are using the “R” word with snow at high elevations. Sunday – Monday looks interesting. Meanwhile New Zealand is now getting its share with heavy snows down to 300m.

There is still a lot of snow on the hills around Jindabyne and traces right through to Cooma.

PS: Jackie (seen in sled last Tuesday) is on her skis again today (in a brace).