First Turns for 2011

Yesterday morning the Chooks made me an offer I could neither refuse nor better. A drive to Perisher to make a few turns on Front Valley and then lunch at the Guthega Pub.

Although I had originally been thinking of a ski outback from Thredbo, the thought of the climb up from Snowgums simply to get to the walking track was easily discarded when I thought of going to Perisher.

We left Thredbo shortly after 10am and were soon climbing Front Valley in Perisher under a warming sun and clear blue sky. I overdressed enough to have a good sweat going by the top of each climb. Not having skied over summer, these were to be my first turns since the big melt last year.

The first climb was definitely the hardest as putting in the boot pack had some footsteps sinking deeply into the snow. The runs down were a mixed bag and even though the golden tips of grass were protruding in some areas, the snow depth was good and no stones were seen.

The snow making provided firm, smooth patches with a light dusting on top. Other areas had breakable crust or were just soft. In all, we had three runs from the very top of Front Valley and I considered this a good work out and enough to get the legs working and my balance tuned. Marion, still recovering from recent knee surgery, took over camera duties after my first run.

Lunch was, as it always is at the Guthega Pub, excellent. Hosts Nick & Jenny always put on a great spread and we hung around for a long lunch enjoying the spectacular views across Guthega Dam and the warm and soothing sun coming in through the windows. The main road was clear of snow, while the link road, still open, did have patches of snow and ice covering the track.

It made for a great day, finished off with everyone running around madly helping me with the tasks I had to perform before my winter tenant arrives today. I still have one studio available and if I don't get a winter-long tenant in the next week or so I will start taking short term bookings instead.

High Noon, Thredbo yesterday morning

Upper Supertrail, Thredbo before leaving for Perisher

A good cover on Front Valley, Perisher

Lynne at the T-bar unloading area and Marion below

Ray on his first run

Ray on his second run (photo by Marion)

Variable snow conditions exist ;-)

Ray and moi under the V8 chair (photo by Marion)

The main range as seen from Guthega

Guthega Dam from the Guthega Pub

Something for Thredbo to have a think about: At the bottom of Front Valley were bright red signs saying "Resort Closed. No Ski Patrol. Ski at Own Risk." Unfortunately in Thredbo no skiing is allowed in the resort when the "resort is closed". I would expect that everyone should ski at their own risk. If not, they shouldn't be on snow at all. What sort of nanny state do we live in these days where something else is meant to be responsible for your own actions?

We had a surprise and fleeting visit from Rosco over the weekend, who dropped in to sort out some business and then "fleeted" out this morning just as quickly. Alas, it does not seem he will ski with us this winter but instead will spend his spare time practising his Japanese and with his other new interest ;-)

Despite current forecasts, with a full moon approaching, I wouldn’t be surprised to seen some heavy snowfalls by next weekend.