Swings And Roundabouts

Much has happened since my last report on Saturday. Sunday was another beautiful blue-sky & calm day and I went and skied High Noon but I awoke on Monday morning to the sound of snow ploughs clearing the roads in the village.

"I love the sound of snow ploughs in the morning."

I got up and took a few photos around the village, which had about 5cms settled in the square. After a quick porridge it was down to Gunbarrel and some freshies on Merritts. I was not game to ski anywhere that hadn't had snow on it on Sunday. I saw many a mistake made by others as they cut through the 10cm of fresh onto rock and gravel. It continued to blow and snow all day and before coming back into work I thought it was time and the right conditions to ride the only covered lift (baring evening gondolas to Eagles Nest) in the resort. A very slow ride up Easy Does It was followed by a short but thrilling trip (nudge nudge, wink wink) through the Burrow and then to ski down the new beginners run that was once the bottom of High Noon.

It rained in the village all day Tuesday. I don't do rain.

The sun was out again today with little to no wind. Snowgums still was not going to open - too much rain & no snow making. I decided to go outback again. The cover had increased since Saturday but rain at the end of the storm had frozen creating a very fast and breakable crust. Skinning was difficult and the skiing was scary. We call it "skiing on egg shells" gingerly keeping even weight to prevent breaking through the crust. It only took me a big break to lose all trust in the base.

Sunday morning - a little snow and a lot of snow making

Sunday: Looking down High Noon towards the extension
looking back up from the extension

The last pitch onto Friday Flat from the new High Noon extension

Early Monday morning in the Village Square with fresh snow

Friday Flat on Monday from Easy Does It
Thredbo's new lift: The Burrow at the top of EDI

Inside the burrow - Thredbo's first covered lift

The Bluff this morning - Wednesday

Bunnywalk station this morning - still a little threadbare
A big night of snow making should fix that

On the range this morning with Kozi and Etheridge in the background

Much more snow than Saturday's photo from the bridge

The forecasts do not look promising but going on past performances that doesn't mean much. Of course our curse in NZ's blessing. Mt Hutt now has a 340cm base at the top after a massive dump.

I ran into a man from the BOM today fixing the weather instruments behind Eagles Nest so we can now get a better handle on what's happening on the range.

Just a little Grump: I heard about a 9 car pile up that closed the Alpine Way on Monday morning. This is why we urge everyone to drive carefully (that means slowly and smoothly) on icy and snow covered roads. When will they ever learn?