Shutting Up Shop

Despite the extension of the ski season to Oct 10th, the 'shut down' has commenced. Yesterday was a complete return to winter for one day. The wind-chill was below -6C yesterday morning and the forecast blue sky was quickly replaced with high and then low cloud. The snow remained set-up all morning with the cloud blocking the sun's rays and the wind keeping everything cool.

I did several fast top to bottoms and after that obligatory coffee stop :-) I went far and wide checking out the resort. The bottom of High Noon has been closed and diverted onto Friday Flat. While the lower slopes are fading fast, the upper runs are great. I did a run down Boundary Rider and the runout is still continuous snow. Antons and Sponars are doing exceptionally well considering the time of year. The Basin and Karels are also in great shape.

Something went horribly wrong on the Supertrail at Ski In Ski Out corner on Friday night. Everything was fine on Friday but come Saturday morning there was a huge brown patch at the merging of Milk Run and Lower Supertrail. The dirt filled base spread across the entire slope and will soak up the sunlight like your sleeve soaks up beer slops. Unfortunately the problem was not or could not be repaired overnight and now presents the weakest link in top-to-bottom skiing in the resort.

The warm daytime temperatures and lack of deep freeze overnight have resulted in a major melt down on lower slopes. Ski Patrol were out early this morning closing most lower runs. As of yesterday, High Noon (via Friday Flat) and Sundowner were still operating and today, only Milk Run would get you off the front face of the mountain. Above mid station on Kosi chair everything looks like winter.

The school holiday crowds are not yet a problem and I have got early corduroy freshies each morning before both the softening snow and increased rider numbers meant backing off the speed and doing more turns ;-)

Today was typical spring weather again and even the off piste was soft by mid morning. A run to DHG before lunch showed that the above tree line was great but by half way down the snow was very soft with deep (and I mean 'deep') postholes from boarders and walkers. The last descent is getting 'technical' and you can no longer ski to the bridge. I loved the upper Bogong area but now wonder if it is worth the trek out.

Red Sky In The Morning - out Cooma way yesterday

Trekkers heading out on Saturday in the -6C wind-chill

Close up of the intrepid explorers at the bridge beyond The Basin

Friday Flat and the end of High Noon yesterday

Ski In - Ski Out corner this morning after grooming

Supertrail below Bunnywalk station today

Closing Lower World Cup and why I go out as much as possible

Lower Supertrail closed, Lower Hump Run closed

Richard & Sally on Upper Bogong today

Bottom of DHG run at midday today

Some forecasts have a little snow coming this week, may be as early as tomorrow night. We would need a lot to resurrect any of the lost trails. Instead a couple of cms may well mean a return to sticky snow off piste.