One Of Those More Unusual Days

I was disappointed with the snow quality on Monday. I had expected so much more after Sunday (see previous report). The snow was quite firm and the wind blown pockets had all but disappeared. Tuesday I thought was worse still but from what I've been told I didn't give it enough time. I did 2 runs on Supertrail and gave it away due to the poor vis, poor snow and mizzle.

Today started looking better. But as soon as I got dressed and got outside the wind picked up and black clouds (and I mean 'black') starting rolling in. The saving grace was that the temperature was several degrees colder than yesterday. The wind had scoured away a lot of snow. The best was on-piste as the wind kept increasing. I did 4 runs on the front before deciding to take a look at the Basin. I did one run off Karels and decided that no off piste was going to be much good today. Several runs on the Basin and off to coffee.

It was a strange day in more ways than one. Whilst in the queue waiting for Kosi chair to start this morning, someone asked me if I was 'Richard'. 'Yes' I replied and Matt introduced himself as Sally & Rob's son. This may not seem unusual except inside my parka I had a piece of paper I had prepared for a photo today. See the photos below. Oh, by the way, thanks for letting me get on first chair with you. I haven't made first chair for some time.

And on another ride up Kosi chair I rode with a young man, who had whizzed past me coming down World Cup.

He knew me but seemed to take great joy in me not recognising him - someone who used to race me down the Supertrail several years ago. He took off his helmet and still I didn't recognise Dominic. It's just amazing how much some kids change during the growing process. And God, he can ski now. 'Hi' to Helen and Julian.

So, today's ski was both interesting and in my opinion certainly better than yesterday's. It is trying to snow. Probably just not enough moisture in the air. The upper snow guns were running last night for the first time in quite a while.

Looking north from Karels

Dramatic contrast of snow against black clouds

Really black clouds

Looking from Karels towards Eagles Nest

Closer view of howling winds at the top of Kosi chair

Bottom of the Basin

Sponars and Central Spur
And what it was like at the top of Sponars

Top of Kosi this afternoon

Lower Sundance (must remember to take a run on this) and High Noon

We miss our morning coffees at Eagles Nest with Sally & Rob

The forecasts say it should snow today and/or tonight. We need more as some areas are getting a little thin.

Happy Birthday to both Marion and Davo.

And a special 'hello' to Sally & Rob (prior managers of Kiama Ski Lodge). We all wish you well. Matt told me that the 'carabina' is ready for 'that' trip. Marion apologises for being too slack to come skiing this morning. I'm sure if she knew of my plans to take the photo that she would have come out in the wind as well.