Oh Dear - Anyone For A Cold Shower?

Constant above zero temperatures took their toll on the slopes as the weekend approached. I didn’t go out on Friday but was shocked to see how much had thawed when I went out on Saturday. The increasing winds were stripping the snow away even faster than the sun’s rays could melt it.

Sponars was closed on Friday due to lack of snow at the bottom and Antons succumbed on Saturday. High Noon and Supertrail we nice if not soft on Saturday. Only Walkabout was open at Merritts but crowds weren’t too bad.

I was awoken at 3am this morning (Sunday) to the sound of heavy rain. I didn’t go out today but received some accurate reports during the day from some of the few who did venture out.

Basin and Karels were closed. Then High Noon was closed when the creek above the pond overflowed across the roadway at the top of the Gunbarrel Chair. This left Merritts, Friday Flat and the Supertrail open for the water sodden skiers and boarders. Due to wind and or lightening hold, the Kosi chair closed early, leaving the few stragglers on the main face with exclusive use of Snowgums chair.

There has been 52.8mm of rain in the past 24 hours – not a good scenario in a good season let alone with the thin base we have this year. The river and creeks are raging and outback will be dangerous with creeks washing out the base from beneath the remaining snow surface.

Windy conditions had staff placing everyone as far left as possible on Cruiser

Only Walkabout was open at Merritts on the weekend - Saturday view

Friday Flat was holding up well on Saturday

High Noon at the end of Saturday

Groomers commence the rebuild for Sunday

High Noon on Sunday morning through the rain

An empty Supertrail this morning

There is some good news in all this. Ticket prices were cut today, it is easy to find accommodation and there are significant snowfalls forecast this week. We all wait with fingers crossed. “This is not the end” is the cry around the village.

As I write this report there are glimpses of blue sky and everything is beginning to dry out. A cold night will help the groomers recover some of the slopes.

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