Race Week

You could call it many other things as well but I digress. Last Saturday saw the Top To Bottom and Inter-Club races. During the week there have been numerous other races for the young folk – FIS slalom and GS, Freeride series and more. There has been Masters training all week in preparation for the Masters Race next Saturday. Today it is FIS slalom and the Rope Race with plenty of fancy dress going out late this morning. No I didn't get any photos but suffice it to say that Gorillas in the Mist it could have been.

The snow on Monday was OK with some wind drifts. Tuesday I skipped altogether with rain in the village and reports of damp, sticky snow up top. Wednesday provided some nice snow up top and frozen cord down low. I found 2-5cm of fresh snow with greater depths on the wind drifts. The off piste above the Basin and around Sponars was delightful – pity that the mizzle just soaked into the gear deeper and deeper.

Today provided 4m visibility on the first run. The vis improved a little but the snow got damper and stickier. Merritts Falls was downright nasty at the bottom, leaving only the pisted runs to ski on. The first hour was definitely nicer than the second. It is days like today when you appreciate good grooming. I placed total faith in the groomers on numerous runs whilst skiing with 2m visibility. No surprises – good work.

These weather conditions cause havoc with trying to get exciting pictures. I haven’t bothered even attempting to take action photos whilst a clash of events last night saw me at the Historical Society mid winter dinner rather than the wine makers’ dinner or the Freeride under lights.

Some people bring their baggage with them to Thredbo
FIS race course - World Cup

Rip Curl practice behind the tennis courts

The real thing - under lights Wednesday night

Such a contrast to last Saturday (and my last report)

Action in the Basin this morning ;-)

Conrod Straight (I hope)

Putting blind faith in groomers and ski patrol

A clearing? - Upper Crackenback

And she's buying the T-bar to heaven

A rare glimpse of sunshine over High Noon

The forecast for Sunday is looking absolutely terrible but based upon the accuracy of reporting this winter I suspect it will not come about. Which raises the question: where was the 10cm promised for Wednesday?

If past years are anything to go by, "Kerry’s birthday dump" (close to Aug 15th) may just see Sunday’s forecast 50mm of precip fall as snow – one can only wish.