Why Not?

The first of November and I hadn’t skied for well over a week. The sun was shining, the wind-chill 0C and the forecast was for 48 hours of rain after today. There was nothing else to do but get out there.

The snow (that should read drift) had a firm base with 1cm of soft on top. The grass was dry and the rocks were out of the way. I enjoyed four runs. On my first I counted 21 turns whilst Marion did 23. That makes the run longer than when Ray and I skied Signature Hill on October 22nd but I must admit, today’s slope wasn’t as steep.

Marion out to do more turns than me

Bright gear for a bright and sunny day

Enough snow for more than 20 turns on the Summer Drift - photo by Marion

Our chosen patch - now trashed

Very little left on Signature Hill

Although the remains of our tracks from the weekend before last are still visible

High Noon this afternoon

Crackenback

Marion and I have both skied in or near Thredbo for 8 consecutive months. I doubt I will get to break Lynne’s 12 consecutive months in Australia but a freak fall on New Year’s Eve might get me closer. Sounds crazy and probably is – must be all that exercise at higher altitudes.

Occasionally I get asked why I do it. Walking and climbing outback is a wonderful form of exercise, especially when carrying skis on your back - the skiing part is the reward for every climb. Then, seeing the look on people's faces as we walk through the village with skis is priceless.

Don’t forget to do your bit to return Kosciuszko Park entry fees back to something reasonable? Click here. Annual passes are now $190 - well and truly more than double last year's fee of $88.