OMG - Oh Ma Gawd, Oh Ma Gawd

OMG : Was it possible? Friday was better than both Wednesday and Thursday making it the best day of the season thus far. Although not as deep as Thursday's fresh snow, Friday's fresh snow was lighter, not wind-packed and there was good visibility to boot.

OMG: Supposedly the record for August snowfalls was broken this week.

OMG: This weekend with its fine weather, deep base and interschool state finals made it the biggest weekend of the season. Parking outstretched all normal parameters. Lift ticket sales actually reached maximum allowable and yet with every lift and run open the queues were tolerable.

OMG: The worst traffic chaos ever in-and-around Jindabyne on Saturday (more below on this).

After several great runs on the front face of Thredbo on Friday, ten of us headed out to Dead Horse Gap in the wonderful new snow. I did it again late on Saturday morning with Annie and Peggy only to find the last descent had turned to breakable-crust putting us through quite a work-out. Annie, not content with that, pushed me to my longest day on the slopes this year. I sure slept well on Saturday night.

Sunday (today) was another brilliant day. The grooming has been spectacular this week culminating in last night's grooming of FunnelWeb and under the top of Kosi chair for the first time this season. These runs received such traffic by hordes of enthusiastic riders that they were both bumping-up again by midday. The off piste is true "packed powder" although lower slopes went sloppy in this afternoon's sunshine.

Snow making was back on last night, topping up an already great base. The forecasts don't look good for later in the week but I'm not holding my breath - more snow will be coming soon and the current base is fantastic! There's snow everywhere in the village and on the side of the road coming into Thredbo.

MTV Snow Jam - big air in heavy snow on Thursday

Looking back up Plan A on Friday morning

Looking down Plan A - second run of the morning still untracked

Top of DHG on Friday

Marion on DHG

Bogong Creek filling in

Annie at DHG on Saturday

Central Spur and Karels this afternoon

Grooming on FunnelWeb and under Kosi chair returning to bumps by midday

Is this what NSW government intends by the debacle on Saturday morning?

OMG: What a Grump?
On Saturday morning - right when the biggest influx of visitors to the snowy mountains all year was occurring - there was a huge alcohol and drug testing operation set up in Jindabyne. I personally didn't see it but by the huge number of people who told me about it, it sounded completely unacceptable. Businesses were without staff because staff could not get to work on time for the BIGGEST WEEKEND of 2010 and visitors to the region had their ski days shortened. Several staffers told me the traffic jam was back to the dam wall while they were trying to get to work. Later visitors to Thredbo said the traffic jam extended back to East Jindabyne.

The state government is showing complete contempt for all the businesses and operators in the area as well as doing their best to discourage visitors to the region.

When tourism is the biggest industry in South East NSW and the government treats it as though it's the last thing wanted then it's time to change the government. State elections are on next year. Remember who was responsible for hurting your business or your workday or your holiday when that election comes around. In the meantime write to the local member for Monaro, Steve Whan (monaro@parliament.nsw.gov.au) and write to as many other state politicians as you can. When the general law-abiding public, trying to enjoy a brief holiday or trying to carry out a day's honest work or trying to run a small business are treated this way then we are living in a police state. Treating everyone as a criminal until proven innocent is WRONG WRONG WRONG

I'm glad to see the Thredbo Chamber of Commerce is already on the case. Your email, letter and vote can help prevent it happening again in the future. You decide what is acceptable and how you and your family will be treated in the future.

And before you go telling me that we need roadside drug testing regardless of the timing, situation or location, explain to me why the culprits are on the street in the first place. The state government who has disturbed your holiday and/or business is the same state government that sets the laws, the jail terms and appoints the magistrates and judges.