Home, Home on the Range

... where the deer and the antelope play. I haven't seen any deer or antelope but no doubt they're around. As in my last report there is a small herd of brumbies about and I saw them again today.

To escape the big sun-loving queues on Sunday, we climbed to the high side of Bogong for a few untracked turns. The entire run was first class.

I was invited back to Dead Horse yesterday but decided that the strong southerly head wind was not ideal for the run. The head wind was certainly interesting. It made skiing the Basin like a slow-motion movie. On Exhibition you could straight line down the groomer for quite a distance without turning as the wind held up your body. No matter what run you chose it felt like the wind was blowing straight up it.

Today the wind was only a light south-easterly. The temperatures have remained low for days and the snow guns have been having a work out. The groomers have been a delight. This morning's 4 runs off the Kosi chair before 9:30 were smooth and fast but I fear I need some wax. The off piste was OK. There's a little fresh and little wind blown. It is also a little bouncy but nothing really solid and you can certainly get a good edge into everything.

At the last minute I had another invite to the Gap, which today I accepted and it was worthwhile. The queue to get out of the Basin was loooong but not due to the number of people in the resort.

Paulo on Sunday above Bogong Creek

Lucky Phil descends through a light snow shower

Ray following Lynne's tracks

Down in the dead tree line

The sky above was brilliant

Jerry today above Bogong

Traktorman says he is taking a "gap year"

Ray in a different jacket but it still comes out pretty dark in these silhouetted photos

Alpine Coral, as I was told today

Forming what we now know as The Great Alpine Reef

Generally the crowds this week are non-existent, which is surprising when the snow quality is 'A' grade. And so it should be, as the maximum temperature up top has not been above zero in the past week. Yep, last Wednesday it peaked at +0.1C. That carbon tax is working a treat ;-)

We have been getting a light dusting every night that has actually settled in the village and it looks like more of the same coming. Well, guess what? More snow is falling right at this moment.