Best Week So Far

The combination of fresh snow and windblown snow transformed the resort. “Closed” signs were pulled up all over the place and apart from a couple of areas where the creeks are still dangerous; the resort is pretty well fully open. Even the Easy Rider T-bar has opened.

Tuesday’s sunny start called the locals out early and it was a mad rush to get freshies. With the good visibility and expanse of open terrain there were freshies to be had everywhere. The top of the Bluff is still wind scoured but below that there were nice powder lines. Little Beauty and True Blue are good down to mid station where a “closed” sign still exists. The two runs down to Tower 10 are open but the cover is thin before meeting Milk Run.

Karels is great while the Basin is the best it has been all season. Central Spur is finally the way it should be (although the bottom of the T-bars is still thin and gravely). There were still fresh wind drifts late this morning and even the natural half pipe is beginning to shape up - more a quarter pipe at present but nice all the same. Wiamea was OK but a cat track up the guts and sastrugi on the top left limited options.

The groomers are good. There is still great cover on Friday Flat and the bottom of Crackenback. I haven’t been down Sundowner for a week so can’t comment on it. Eagle Way looks good but again with so many other options I haven’t been down there since Monday.

Conditions are without a doubt the best they have been this season. The upper base is packed powder with some wind drifts. The lower slopes are packed and carvable. I did hit a couple of rocks today but in places I haven't been all season.

Tuesday - a “closed” Funnel Web, Tower 10, World Cup ready and waiting

Freshies near Cannonball

Kerry dropping into the Basin

Unnamed (on request) skier doing the same

Eagle Way looking great – at last

The Bluff - today, Thursday

Below the Bluff

Wiamea

The creek below Michael’s Mistake is still open

Crackenback Traverse and Cat Walk in good condition

The cloud has been trying to settle in over the top lifts all day today but so far nothing has fallen. The forecasts are for a little snow and some of that only on higher ground. My call for 1-2m didn’t eventuate but I have been given an inside tip that the “real” snow will start on August 6th.

Following on with my global warming data: July 2006 had a minimum temp 1.1C colder than July, 2005 and a maximum temp 0.2C warmer than last year.

Thursday 4:15pm update: It's dumping in the village!

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