Private Ski Resort

There was a lovely surprise for those who got out early on Tuesday. The sun was shining and a cool wind kept everything very comfortable. But more than that, there was no one in the Basin except ski patrol, lift staff and me. Like my own private ski resort I had the choice of any untracked corduroy and then there was the off piste. The Rim Run, having softened early was simply silky. There was some competition from the two patrollers as to who got what line but eventually some other punters arrived to ski and board over our tracks.

Disappointing that Karels was not left open as the snow cover on the lift line was excellent and it would have taken so little effort to double the number of skiable lifts.

Work looks to have been completed in digging out the summer road to the top of Crackenback.

Wednesday was overcast, windy, soft and slow. Temperatures overnight were above zero and up to 8.8C at times.

Thursday arrived with more blue skies but without any of the forecast snow. It’s hard to believe that the government, opposition and media can take seriously yesterday’s report on climate change when it was modelled by the same bureau and CSIRO.

An overnight chill down to –4C resulted in much firmer conditions than at any time during the week and with the winds persisting at around 50kph the Basin was feeling like winter.

Once again it was like my own private ski resort. Marion and I were met by Jock from ski patrol who escorted us to the T-bar where we awaited lift staff. We then proceeded to place 8s down the fresh corduroy. One adventure on the Rim Run off piste was enough. It needed more heat to bring it up to the pleasant consistency found on the groomer.

Desiccated remains of the Supertrail

The Bluff and Central Spur on Tuesday morning

Alone in the Basin

Not a soul in sight

Afternoon view

Summer road ploughed out. Afternoon Bluff

Not my tracks on Central Spur. My tracks on Basin

Marion off piste off the Rim Run

Bands of colour

Balls To The Wall – closed for 2007

The forecast is for fine weather tomorrow and then showers on Saturday and early Sunday. This may disrupt our touring plans for the weekend. The Basin T-bar should remain open till Sunday afternoon and then we will be left to hike out onto the main range to get our thrills, chills and exercise.

I have heard that Kosi chair will not close for maintenance until after the Snowy Ride weekend in November and will only be closed for 3 and a half weeks.