Mizzerable

Friday completed another sunny week in Thredbo with lots of fresh man made snow and great carving conditions. My newly tuned bases lapped it up. The forecast rain for Saturday didn’t happen in the morning and I had a good ski with TraKtorman, Jax and Waz despite Kosciuszko Express being out of action once again. We only did half a ride up Snowgums and bailed at Bunny Walk station for Gunbarrel. High Noon was pleasant enough and Antons was improved, compared to earlier in the week. The top of Boundary Rider was nice but the run out is becoming well worn. I didn’t bother with the Basin on the weekend, as it was quite thin at the bottom on Friday.

Kosi chair eventually started around midday but I was already planning my shopping spree in Jindabyne. I went to 8 different shops and tried 5 different brands of helmets in a range of models and sizes. When I tried the helmets in the four stores in Thredbo village I only tried large ones, as my limited previous experience with helmets had shown that only large ones would fit, but they didn’t. Helga in Snow Sports suggested I try a medium. I tried 3 and one almost fit. Helga’s lateral thought process started me thinking and when in Jindabyne I started trying both medium and large. I soon realised that like some shoes, helmets of the same brand, model and size were not necessarily the same size as each other. I eventually found a medium helmet at Alpine Sports (a free plug as thanks for the discount, Rod) that was actually comfortable and bought it.

So today (Sunday) I took out the new helmet for its christening. It turned out to be a baptism of water not snow. I made first chair on Kosi today. There wasn’t much competition as the resort was shrouded in fog. At the top, the mizzle (misty drizzle) was quickly settling on my goggles and visibility was from 3 to 5 metres. Being first down Eagle Way, the only contrast I could get was from a snowmobile track, which I followed to Bunny Walk station before I could actually see anything else. The fog rolled in and out with alternate runs being in much better visibility but the snow quickly cut up being wet and slow. Luckily the snow was not that suction-cap sticky stuff that so often accompanies such weather.

After four runs on the Supertrail I stopped for coffee. I wasn’t going to venture away from the main piste as the extremely flat light obscured any nasties lurking near by. We have been spoilt by the number of wonderful, sunny days this season.

I didn’t stay out much longer. The helmet, although somewhat alien, wasn’t too bad and I suspect I will get used to it in time. It became quickly apparent that I was still recognisable in the helmet so it won’t help as a disguise, even for a short time. I’m not going to describe the helmet but may be the fluoro purple with red flames is too much ;-)

Marion is recovering well but she is not back on the slopes yet. I hear Tommy is somewhat bruised and battered after an altercation with the slopes, not to mention Marcus who was lucky to walk away from his embrace with a lift tower last week. I hope that this will be the end of "crash list" for some time and that everyone heals quickly.

Lower Supertrail, Milk Run in the Friday sunshine

Hump Run to Tower 10, Lower World Cup and Meadows

A bumpy Bluff and well used Kareela Cross

Conrod Straight on Friday but still no Sponars T-bar

Friday Flat on Saturday morning

Ramshead and Easy Does It

Crackenback today

High Noon and lower Sundance today

Jax at the bottom of True Blue - Monday morning

The snow forecast for Sunday has not yet arrived. We have had a few hail showers and the wind has been gusting while the barometer keeps dropping. The Frog and the Adelaide forecast indicate snowfalls for several days this week. We need it, especially considering the rain damage done last night and the school holiday crowds.

Grump: Kosi chair late starts on Saturday mornings. We all hate the slow ride up Snowgums and I wasn’t about to ride Ramshead yesterday.

I've left a couple of empty photo slots in case there is something to add in the morning.