Another Big Weekend In Thredbo

Just when you think it's all over, it all gets going again. We had three snowfalls during the week and it fined up just in time for The Snowy Ride when some 3000+ motorcycles were due in town to raise money for Childhood Cancer Research through the Steven Walter Foundation. The weather cleared on Saturday morning and Marion, Richard, Sally and I found a queue ahead of us before first chair on the Kosciuszko Express. Strangely, we were the only ones carrying skis that early in the morning ;-) We walked and climbed our way to the back of Signature Hill where the snow base depth was about 1m less than 9 days ago. We skied the Back Door and Everest, then the North Face followed by a couple of runs on the Main Face. The fresh snow was slow-ish and slid fairly easily on the firmer base beneath. It wasn't the best skiing conditions but still an enjoyable way to get a lot of exercise. After five runs we retired to Eagles Nest for lunch.

Around 4:15pm The Snowy Ride grand parade of motorcycles entered Thredbo Village. Helicopters flew overhead with joy flights for children fighting cancer and a huge crowd welcomed everyone into town. With impeccable timing, the heavens opened at the start of the presentation of prizes for the winners in the Snowy Ride. The rain stopped when the presentations ended - quite bizarre. Luckily, later at night when the band started, the rain held off. The Brewster Brothers (remember the Angels?), John Brewster's son and friend put on a wonderful performance in the Village Square. The company (KT) even put on fireworks at the end of their gig to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Snowy Ride. We all enjoyed the boys' performance that included songs from the Angels, the Brewster Brothers own works and songs from Bob Dylan. Thanks for a very entertaining evening and thanks to everyone else for their part in a great charity event. You should all be proud of your part in this annual outing.

Sunday morning arrived with clear skies and a very quiet village, apart from the occasional motorcycle leaving town. Marion and I decided that we had to take advantage of the last day of Kosi chair operation before its 4-week maintenance period starts tomorrow. Although the temperature (warmer than yesterday) was above zero (around +4C), the wind chill was probably below 0C and wearing one layer of clothing less than yesterday, I was hard pushed to raise a sweat as we climbed to the top of Summer Drift. Some 40 turns later (including one patch of grass) we were at the bottom. The snow quality was better than yesterday but the weather was now moving in and a bit of a white-out was making it harder to pick the turns. After another couple of shorter climbs we decided that that was enough.

I'm not sure where or when I will get my next turns. It's a hard climb from Snowgums chair to Summer Drift and even harder to Signature Hill and beyond. The forecast is looking somewhat unstable for the next week.

Richard and Sally follow me towards Everest while Marion takes the camera

How quickly the fog blew in. Sunny going up but deteriorating as each of us descended

Richard on North Face, Marion seeking waterfalls and Sally on North Face

One minute it's sunny and looking up, the next minute the clouds roll in behind Karels
Both photos taken looking in the same direction only minutes apart

The Main (Front) Face of Signature Hill

North Face on the left and Everest to the right

The Snowy Ride Grand Parade

The Navy gave the kids some excitement, whilst others had to hang on tight

The Brewster Brothers in the Village Square last night

Looking from the top of Summer Drift back to Signature Hill today
Front Face on the left, North Face in the centre, then Back Door with Everest extreme right
Marion on Summer Drift today with the Alpine Way way below

Farewell to Dave & Penny who, having sold Eagles Nest, are now preparing for a long earned holiday and a future new member to their family. We wish them well in whatever they take up and a BIG THANKS for the special attention over all these past years. We are sad to see you go. Meanwhile, welcome to Steve & Sarah who have taken on the challenge of running Eagles Nest and catering to its very fussy regulars ;-)

With so many good things happening around here, I'll reserve my next grump for my next report, even the fact that NPWS only had one lane open at the park gates on Friday.

For more information about The Snowy Ride click here.