Only A Miracle

Above zero temperatures and warm winds have stripped away the thin cover. Despite the best efforts of mountain staff farming and mining and pushing around the snow, the base is severely depleted and nothing short of a miracle will save the resort now. Mind you that has happened in the past and snow is possible on next Tuesday and Friday.

Each day the ride up Kosi chair reveals a different look (much greener and browner) than the day before. First runs down the Supertrail (still remarkably top to bottom) are nice but it quickly cuts up with the worse parts being Eagle Way and Bunny Walk turn where the cover makes way for soil and rock until the groomers can cover it over again at night.

Things were so bad on Eagle Way and above SnowGums top station on Saturday afternoon that I downloaded from Eagles Nest on Sunday arvo.

The main range is still most enjoyable and that’s where I’ve been spending most of my time. I have, in the quest for knowledge, checked out different areas within the resort. The Basin is holding up well thanks to snow mining. Merritts also has a plentiful supply of high snows being pushed down to maintain a good (if not sloppy) cover on Walkabout. High Noon will be closed soon, if not already. The weakest spots being the very top of the run and the middle of the steep section. Karels is OK and providing us with easy access to the main range. Meanwhile Friday Flat is still open. An amazing feat, all things considered. It is getting smaller every day but with decreasing crowds, this does not seem to present much of a problem.

Merritts on Friday and no lift lines

Eagle Way on Friday only got worse each day after

Valley floor below the Ramsheads still covered in white

Friday Flat and the ribbon of white still leading to Gunbarrel

Merritts on Saturday still OK

Cloud, rock and snow – main range Sunday

Snow between the rock and shrubs

The top of the Basin Sunday afternoon

End of season adventures for Jack and John

High Noon late on Sunday afternoon

I fear the fat lady is exercising her tonsils. If we are lucky then there will be enough runs still open when the snows come later this week so that we can enjoy some fresh turns before the inevitable.

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