Blowing Into Spring

Spring started officially on Saturday. The weather remained pretty much the same as the past weeks. Temperatures had dropped enough overnight to allow snow making over the resort. It was busy in the resort from the start and with limited runs it got crowded very quickly. Due to Friday’s rain snap freezing across the entire mountain range there was a layer of clear ice encasing all but the groomed runs. Ski Patrol were busy closing off most of the off piste as it was down right dangerous until it later softened.

Rosco invited me out to visit the old Charlotte Pass chairlift ruins, several kilometres north of the resort. According to Rosco, the snow being so firm would mean a quick trip out and back – the perfect day for such an adventure. We started from Karels, went behind Sponars (closed due to the icy conditions), past Stanley’s, Twin Valleys and onto the old chair line above the old ranger station. I would like to thank Rosco for his expert guiding, patience and masochistic sense of humour in all but destroying my body on the long push/skate out and back.

I attempted to kite back in a good breeze (unfortunately coming from the direction we were headed). I abandoned the attempt after tacking back and forth to eventually get out of one bowl and only into the next, which had a steeper rim than the first where the wind would drop as I approached the top of the bowl. A late lunch at Merritts and I was done for the day.

Sunday was almost a repeat of Saturday but there had been no snow making and the wind had increased from the 30-40kph to 65-80kph – just a tad too high for kiting. Luckily the slopes were deserted. Off piste was a no-no and groomers were showing even more grass and rock than the day before. My pick was High Noon. There is still a good cover top to bottom on High Noon, Supertrail.

Upper Supertrail, Sponars, Supertrail and High Noon Saturday

Looking west up the old chairlift line

Looking down the chairlift line towards the Alpine Way (Rosco getting air)

There are some good grades out along the escarpment

Carruthers and Club Lake chutes

Author trying to blow his way out up onto the main range
photo c/- Rosco

Glazed main range

Something’s a foot, the flare run, a romantic proposal, ending with a big bang

Lower Supertrail - Sunday morning / Rosco and Traktorman descending from first chair
(yes I was late)

High Noon and Sundance - Sunday noon

Forecasters are going for a little snow tomorrow and later in the week. I’m hanging out for more kite time on the main range before too many rocks and shrubberies appear.