Only Mad Dogs And …

Even I think it was somewhat insane to be out skiing in the resort these last few days. I know this from actual experience. Yesterday I had four runs down the Supertrail from Snowgums and this morning one run was all I needed. Surprised to see the chairs open in the high winds, I rushed down to ride first chair with another Richard who has probably been more dedicated than I this season. Roscoe arrived four chairs late. It was his 104th day this season and may be his last as he is leaving the village today.

I didn’t take any photos on the way down my one and only run today but I will say how impressed I am at how hard the mountain staff have been working to keep the resort open. Unfortunately the soil & sand to snow ratio from Bunny Walk to Ski-In Ski-Out was much higher than even I would choose to ski on. Despite the warm overnight temperature, there were a couple of ‘firm’ patches near Kareela, which proved that my rock-hoppers are edgeless. The one run today was more of a base grind than all four runs combined yesterday.

Walkabout at Merritts and the Snow runner(s) at Friday Flat are also open today. The village is quiet and many staff have already left. If it weren’t for the local business being open you would think it was the end of October rather than September. The season really has been shortened by at least one month, which in my opinion, would equate to around a 25% loss to the village in annual income.

Supertrail at Bunny Walk station - yesterday

Looking up

Looking down

Moving the snow around the top of Snowgums chair

Bottom of Sponars, Antons and top of High Noon

Friday Flat – photo by Roscoe

Merritts – photo by Roscoe

Roscoe is one of the three still out there this morning

As soon as the weather permits, I will go out back to see what is left of the snow pack since this week’s hot NW gale force winds.

There are still forecasters calling for snow late on Sunday. Alas I think it will be all too late for the resort. The fat lady is on the stage.

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