Not As Predicted

Weather forecasting can be a difficult thing and this weekend was one of those times when it didn’t quite go to plan. The rain continued on into Friday and only a couple of centimetres of snow were recorded on the higher slopes.

Conditions on Saturday were windy and wet. I didn’t venture out but may be I should have as I heard of some nice off piste up around Sponars. Everything below this was wet, sticky or simply brown. The lower slopes were shut due to lack of snow. Skiing and boarding was limited to above Bunny Walk station.

Sunday saw the sun out with just a gentle breeze and clear blue skies. Today I did get out to see the damage. Overnight the wet snow had snap frozen. Something you don’t see very often was the opening of mid station on the Kosciuszko Express quad chair. Snow conditions were generally OK above this but the piste was very well polished and had everyone looking for more edge.

The pick of today was out the back of the resort where stashes of dry snow could be found between the ridges of frozen (hollow sounding) snow. Some kiters were out doing their thing in the light air – way too light wind conditions for my kite.

Upper Supertrail Saturday – with a trace of new snow

Upper Supertrail - Sunday

Central Spur - Sponars and Antons

High Noon closed along with all lower runs

World Cup across to Upper Supertrail – well polished

Kite skier behind Eagles Nest

Real snow – real turns – below Signature Hill

Signature Hill – freshies for the keen

Rock formations near Karels T-bar

Hopefully with the cold air and clear skies, the snow makers will be able to start rebuilding the lower Supertrail, High Noon and Friday Flat. There isn’t any snow forecast till around next weekend. Oh well, I’d better get those edges attended to.