Long Long Weekend

Well, season 2007 is under way. Saturday was a drizzly affair and instead of joining other die-hards on the snow, I went to the Jindabyne second hand ski sale along with what felt like 10,000 other people. It ended being a bit of social event, catching up with many friends from as far away as Sydney.

We got a real shock when we reached the National Park gates on the Alpine Way at 1pm on Saturday afternoon and got caught in a huge traffic queue. 16 cars in front and another 20 behind, before we reached the one open toll booth. For the first day of the MASSIVE price increase to $27 a day, it wreaked of extremely bad customer service. How quickly government will up taxes and how slow they are to dish out anything for them.

Saturday night went off with a big bang. The start-of-season fireworks (very good) were followed by the Snow Ball, which I believe was enjoyed by many.

Sunday was a sunny day and the place to be was Friday Flat and Merritts where four lifts got you around from slope to slope. Everyone had a big smile on their face as the cobwebs were blown away. Sunday night was the historical fashion parade in the Denman Hotel. A totally sold-out event that has been heralded as the best party held in Thredbo. Many iconic figures strolled the catwalk in an array of very old and well preserved ski clothes and après fashions of the day.

Monday was another nice day on the slopes and with better quality snow and diminished crowds, the skiing and boarding only got better. Monday night was spent with close friends in Sante Restaurant – Happy Birthday Annie. Sorry, I deleted the photos.

Tuesday, the snow showers started again. There were just a handful of locals and regulars on Merritts and the skiing was fun. Even so, Annie (not birthday Annie) was taken out by a boarder who managed to bend one of Annie’s ski poles.

Saturday night fireworks

Montage of shots taken with new camera

In with the snow

Blessing of the snow in the Thredbo Chapel

Friday Flat

Eagle Way

Wiamea and Powder Bowl

Clouds roll in from Dead Horse Gap

Looking down Merritts

Annie on a totally uncrowded Walkabout today - Tuesday

It has snowed lightly on and off all day and it is again snowing lightly as I write this report. The snow guns have been fairly busy and, although not yet open, upper Supertrail and High Noon are looking good.

WATCH OUT for changes to speed limits before and inside the national park!