After The Dust Had Settled

What an amazing few days in Thredbo. Firstly the biggest dump of the season, possibly the biggest of the decade (click here to read more).

Then the sun came out, the wind dropped and we could see. Saturday produced the biggest crowd of the season with skiers and boarders coming from everywhere after hearing about Friday's dump. The new snow brought some weird folk to the mountain, especially noticeable on Sunday morning with queue jumping and more. I must admit I do wonder why people have to push in only to be passed on the way down, just below the top, because they ride so slowly. What's the point? Oh well, I guess it's hard to leave their city habits behind but a simple 'please' or 'excuse me' can make such a difference.

Any way, back to the fun of these sunny days. The grooming has been first class and the quality and quantity of snow has meant ideal groomers. Of course the Sunday crowds did drive some of us to venture out of the resort and to pick up some left overs from the big storm. Charlie convinced me to do a little climbing to get some really nice freshies. Apart from the work that Ronnie had to do to my skis after clipping a hidden rock, the run we took out back was delicious. Around midday a large group took to the Gap. Despite the head wind, sastrugi and myriad of other tracks, the top half was very nice. The last descent over both deep frozen tracks and in very heavy untracked was not so nice.

Today the off piste had firmed up even more than yesterday. Strange, because wind drifts were again building on Sunday.

Charlie on his way to the biggest wind drift

Away from the maddening crowds

Getting some untracked freshies

Going around

And around

Then Lucky Phil took to the air

Some way out of the resort

At the bottom of DHG, having survived the frozen ruts and deep, heavy untracked

What Ray saw near DHG. Lyre bird, family of Kookaburras
And, ouch, didn't quite make the turn. That's coolant - car blood not human ;-)

Just another Monday morning in Thredbo ;-)
I wonder how the proposal went?

The forecasters are predicting another good dump around Thursday or Friday. Keep it coming I say :-)

There is still a lot of accommodation available through August into September and the 2012 Spring skiing will have to be the best in years on such a great base. Leave your city rat race behind and come and chill out on the slopes in the fresh air and revitalise.