If You Got Down To The …

Sung to the tune of Teddy Bears Picnic – but more a case of: “If You Get Out Of The Resort Today…”. More about yesterday (Saturday) in a moment.

Thursday was Ski Patrol Race Day – always a sign that the season is winding down for yet another year. The race was held on the best snow in the resort – namely the Rossi racecourse. A dual slalom course with sudden death eliminations (apparently there was not enough snow to include the jumps). The weather was great but unfortunately some ski patrol were called away for a rescue near Leatherbarrel Creek.

As expected, I was eliminated straight off but I did get to complete my video collection of all 4 major races in Thredbo this year. Hopefully I can show you more towards the end of the year. The after-race beer and sausage sangers were enjoyed by all.

Friday was interesting. I went out dressed for wet, as the forecast was glum. While having morning coffee at Merritts, snow began to fall and kept falling on and off most of the day. We probably had 4cms, which was a pleasant change, but nothing was to be seen below 1600m.

With the snow report spruiking 5cms of fresh overnight, we rushed for first lift on Saturday. The weather was perfect – sunny and a light breeze. There was really nothing but a dusting to be seen except above the Basin where first tracks were enjoyable. Later that morning we set off onto the main range. The wind dropped so carting my kite was a waste of effort. The snow was white and clean after the preceding snowfalls and provided relatively easy skinning our way out to the Ramsheads. After a picnic lunch on top of the mother of all Ramsheads, we eventually made our way to Dead Horse Gap with a few detours. Yes, I was able to ski (on my rock hoppers) to the top car park with only a few metres of grass, gravel and assorted animal waste to negotiate.

Ski Patrol Race – Thursday

Snowflakes outside Merritts Mountain Hut - Friday

Freshies early on Saturday morning off Karels

The children go out to play (with several notable absentees)

Our next destination - Lunch with a view - Kosi and Leatherbarrel

Fun after lunch (Traktorman, Rosco and Jaxster)

Spectacular views: Kosi Cornice and down into Leatherbarrel creek

Rosco surveys the descent for Traktorman and himself

Yes that's my boot toe at the bottom of the picture

Lots of time to enjoy the view while they enjoy the climb out

Conditions were very windy today (Sunday) with a fair bit of fast moving cloud. The wind chill was low as were the crowds, and just as well as many runs are now closed or in very poor condition. Sundowner was a wreck when I went down it this morning and the back-door access to Gunbarrel has vaporised. A lot of snow farming is keeping the bottom of Antons and Sponars in reasonable shape. The bottom of Powder Bowl is closed while the Milk Run is still in very good condition as are the Basin and Karels.

There could be snow tonight and again on Wednesday.