Hanging In There - Just

It is official from Thredbo’s resort manager, Kim Clifford, the resort will remain open as a winter resort as long as possible and that there are no plans to close prematurely. Snow conditions permitting, we will see skiing and boarding continue up to the October long weekend.

That being said, the snow conditions are deteriorating quickly in the wake of above zero temperatures and increasing breezes. However, like many others, I'm still enjoying top to bottom skiing on both the Supertrail and High Noon.

The increase in breeze kept the wind-chill down around –7C and it took some time for the cover to soften. Firm and fast on the Supertrail this morning and then slush on a hard base provided a good work out. Rocks are floating around on the surface but I’ve not hit one since the last snowfall. The cover is thin around Bunny Walk and the bottom of Eagle Way.

Merritts has only Walkabout open but the cover is good. The Basin has been topped up with some snow farming. Karels is still open but Central Spur is closed. After my first run down High Noon this morning I thought it looked so bad that it may not even survive to the weekend but on another run an hour later I was quite impressed with the way it was holding up and you could still ski all the way to the back door on Gunbarrel chair. One interesting change is the track of snow on skiers left at the bottom of High Noon as it passes under the Merritts chair. The snow on skiers right is gone but the snow in the shadow of the trees on the left is providing a good cover.

The outback is nice even though many shrubs and rocks have begun to struggle back out of the cover from last Friday’s snowfall. There were many parties out to Kosi, the Ramsheads and even Leather Barrel Creek. I was not amongst them but I did get to fly my kite for a while on Wednesday morning below Signature Hill.

Milk Run

Supertrail below BunnyWalk

Top of High Noon

Bottom of High Noon – snow on skiers left under Merritts chair

Snow mining in the Basin

Friday Flat and return trail to Gunbarrel chair

High Noon steeps

Crackenback

Top of High Noon

Sponars - Central Spur

Another snowfall of any size will help extend the cover. Friday’s have been generous this year so fingers crossed for a top up for this weekend.

Got on up here – your chances for skiing top to bottom are rapidly evaporating.

“Even the worst day on the slopes is still better than the best day in the office” ... anon

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