A Start Of Kinds

The long weekend started with strong winds and rain. Not an unusual start to a long weekend but not what was ordered unless you are suffering drought.

Due to the strong winds there were no lifts operational on Saturday but the village was turned to party mode. There were the fireworks (almost cancelled due the rain), there was live music in several bars and restaurants and even a Scottish piper to open the new Terrace Restaurant in the Denman.

Sunday the weather improved and the first ski lift opened in NSW for the 2005 season; the snow runner on Friday flat carried snow riders up to the top of the limited man-made snow. Sunday night was cold enough for the mountain crew to restart the snow making guns and by Monday morning there was a cover of white over Friday Flat. The Easy Does It chair was started up and crowds came from everywhere to ride and play in the snow and sunshine.

A week of cold nights and the snow-makers could open Walkabout on Merrits. Unfortunately as I write this report it has started to rain again.

Fireworks

And more fireworks

Piper calling the diners into the new Terrace Restaurant

Friday Flat on Sunday

Blessing of the snow (albeit man-made)

Top to bottom on Friday Flat - Monday

It doesn't really feel like Winter yet

Brad – head of ski school – shows how it's done

Beginners and not so beginners

Late Update - Tuesday 7:30am

I will be away from the village Tuesday – Thursday, so I expect the snows that have been forecast for Tuesday through Thursday will be significant, as I won’t be here to record them.

Vale: Ian Hall (aka Ernie) – greenkeeper to Thredbo’s golf course, bus driver to the winter crowds and a good friend to many – died suddenly last weekend from a heart attack.