The Crush Is On

Actually it wasn’t too bad. Pictures from Friday night TV news indicated that we were in for some serious crowds over the weekend but that didn’t eventuate.

Friday was a beautiful day and there was some fresh man-made snow to top up the slopes. Little Merrits, off Eagle Way, that was so nice on Thursday had been turned into a big bump slope by Friday. In my opinion the best snow was on Merritts. Even Valley View (which does not have snowmaking) was quiet and had a reasonable cover. Ballroom was my pick.

Fearing huge crowds (first day of NSW public school holidays and a clear blue sky day) seven of us headed out back. The strength of the wind, once out of the resort, was surprisingly high and early plans went out the window. We quickly ended up splitting into three groups. Marion, Jax and Traktorman headed towards Bogong and ultimately Dead Horse Gap – sounded like it was very good top to bottom. Ray & Lynne headed off to Signature Hill (ultimately to do several runs on the North Face) while Annie and I went somewhere in between both and eventually came back via the main face of Signature Hill.

The base was firm with a thin layer of dry wind blown on top but in places there was what I can only describe as a surface of clear bubble-wrap ice. The ice was not thick and you could put your edge or pole tip through it.

The ski back down to the village revealed how much damage holiday crowds can do. The slopes, once covered with a fresh layer of man-made snow, were now showing polished shining patches of … - although I must admit Ski-In Ski-Out corner was in much better shape than on the previous days.

Precipitation lashing my windows before dawn did not augur well for today. When I first got up for a look it was drizzling in the village and I went back to bed. The drizzle eventually cleared but way too late to get me back out there. The slopes have suffered a little from rain damage but reports say it was better than expected.

Front Face of Signature Hill - Saturday morning

Clouds starting to build over the main range

That standard shot of Signature Hill - Merritts Creek has filled in

Looking back from the bridge towards the resort

Ray & Lynne boot packing up the North Face
(photos by Lynne and Ray)

The descent of the North Face
(photos by Lynne and Ray)

First flare run for 2008

Hard to see – and even rarer, crescent moon setting behind Eagles Nest

High Noon and Sundance – Sunday morning

The last snapshot pretty well says it all for today

The resort is “top to bottom” on Supertrail, High Noon and Sundowner, albeit with a thinish cover is some lower places.

The forecast still looks good for 50+ cm before next weekend.

Meanwhile everything else is back to winter normal. I caught Andy O'Donnell last week in the Lounge Bar and last night Mark Travers was rocking the Schuss Bar.