Another Wet One

Friday was extremely windy, Saturday wet and windy, Sunday the same but I went out into it for a while. From the reports of those who went out yesterday, the snow was much faster today. Apparently the moisture sodden snow was very slow and sticky on Saturday. Last night a freeze changed the crystal forms and even after the ice crust softened the snow was fast.

A rather sad weekend – after all we had been promised some snow by today. The only consolation was, until tonight, we had not had any really heavy rain. Unfortunately the hot winds blowing from Thursday night severely reduced the snow pack. Many creeks have opened up and much of the lower slopes have lost their cover. Snow was trying to fall on the upper slopes but there has been a wet mist that got into everything regardless of how high you went.

We haven’t seen all lifts open for a while now but at least the opening of Ramshead today allowed access to the Basin. The many windy days this season make you realise just how important Snowgums and Ramshead are when the Kosciuszko Express is on wind-hold.

Lower slopes on Saturday morning

High Noon with a grassy Lovers Leap Bypass in the foreground

Brave but wet riders on Ramshead lift during Sunday’s showers

Bumps developing on High Noon whilst the rain showers continue

Fresh, though small, snowfalls are predicted early this week. The man-made areas have held up well. Imagine how much worse off we would be these days without the snow making capabilities.

The best thought I can come up with at this stage of the season is that after the Canadian resorts of Whistler and Fernie were forced to close, due to lack of snow in February this year, they received some good dumps later in their season.