The Biggest One So Far

This week has provided the biggest snowfall of 2009. It also provided the biggest winds and everything that goes with them. I threw out my back on Monday morning and after a horizontal day I managed to get to my chiro on Tuesday morning. That meant 2 days off slope. I heard that there was some nice snow but the big snows kept coming.

Yesterday I started on Gunbarrel and not long after, Snowgums started. All upper lifts remained closed until later in the day when Antons and eventually Kosi chair started around 2:30pm.

Snowgums chair has had long, long queues and has been running less that full speed - but at least it was running. Sponars finally opened after 2 days then Kosi chair opened around midday today and finally the Basin.

Yesterday’s snow was deep - 30cms deep while today’s was much more wind-packed but great fun. Traktorman would be pleased to know that I made heavy use of Plan 'A' both days.

Deep into Plan 'A' yesterday

Snowgums queue had everything
a massive queue back to Kosi chair, mud, gravel and more

Bunny Walk yesterday - still with open creek

The Bluff is mine - today

Another view of the Bluff

Rinda above Black Sallees and ripping up Little Beauty
Note the deep trench dug out for stairs

Crackenback - white from top to bottom

High Noon and Lower Sundance - with a good cover of white

Eagles Nest late this afternoon

Winds over Sponars and Central Spur

The winds changed direction overnight and again today and moved the wind drifts around. Waimea was great early this morning but not nearly so good this afternoon. There is also a lot of sastrugi building as the wind packs, moves and redesigns the deep snow of yesterday.

The horror forecasts for Friday and Saturday have been down graded somewhat; even so I am now treating every day as my last. And good days they have been despite lack of lifts and a nagging back.