APEC Escape

The Freeride Big Air final happened to coincide with the influx of APEC refugees fleeing Sydney. Luckily (as per normal this year) the weather bureau got it all wrong and we had good weather in Thredbo. The crowds were up and put together with the ever-decreasing amount of skiable terrain the results were crowded slopes that turned to slush before midday each day.

Having said that, my time on the slopes has been enjoyable in the most part. I, like several others had the misfortune to have my skis make an impromptu stop in the extra sticky patch on skiers' right at the end of the Supertrail (just past Ski-In Ski-Out) on Saturday. I now have the outline of my camera imprinted on my rib cage but at least I didn’t knock myself out like some. Today’s snow was also slow but uniformly so.

There wasn’t enough breeze for kiting but the conditions on High Noon were lovely for a good ski. Top to bottom conditions still exist on Supertrail, Milk Run, Sundowner and High Noon while Friday Flat is taking a hammering and may not see past next weekend unless it either snows or snow can be made.

The Big Air event went off well and hopefully Thredbo will see more events of this kind with live music and spectators in the village right in the midst of the actual event.

It lives – Ramshead took a couple of people-laden chairs on the scenic tour on Saturday

Refugee crowds on High Noon

And more boat people on Supertrail

The Big Air on Sundance almost ready

Final preparations on Saturday

Crash test dummies to see if it will work

The event

Lots of action, music and crowd support

The forecast, if you still think they are worth any credence at all, doesn’t look good, but then … I’ve probably said too much already.