Another Sunny Saturday?

Following a forecast for clear, sunny blue skies, light winds and +7C temperature up top, you can imagine my surprise (not actually) when standing in the queue waiting for the lifts to start, dark heavy clouds and strong winds started dropping precipitation. Up top the wind chill was -10C and the winds increased to around 70kph.

Even a little sago fell up top before coffee. The early-groomed slopes were very firm, fast and fun. The later-groomed slopes were sooooft from the start but provided an alternative for those not wanting some speed. After I came off the slopes late morning, the sunny breaks increased and the wind started dropping all the way down to around 30kph as I write this report.

Spring skiing is in full swing in Thredbo and as morning wore on I found my skis running slower and slower on and off piste. The off piste softened around 11am and if not for the 'go slow' it would probably have been very nice after midday.

There is still a healthy base above 1500m although some creeks are starting to wash out.

The bottom of the Supertrail is done

The Milk Run at Ski-in Ski-out is ever narrowing
and the upper Milk Run is thinning quickly

Runs to Tower 10, including World Cup and Hump Run are now closed

Looking north from Karels with the cloud and wind increasing

Merrits Creek washing out the snow pack on Merrits Falls

There's still a good base depth on Kareela Face and no sign of Wally

If the site of growing grass (bottom of Supertrail) isn't enough
the red dust has been blown in as well

Looking west from the Traverse-to-Conrod towards Merrits Bridge and Sig Hill

Big Air events below Q5 on Central Spur
Top of jump in bottom right of shot

Snow dome (bottom left) seems a little out of place at the bottom of Sundance

Apparently, as a total coincidence, the KT camera at the base of the Kosciuszko chairlift (looking up the Supertrail towards Ski-in Ski-out) broke down just as the view got ugly but do not fear, as you can see above, I have included photos showing what it really looked like this morning. You can bet it looks even worse this afternoon. However, in all fairness, I went out on my good boards and didn't hit anything but I'm not so sure about tomorrow.

You already have to negotiate grass at the bottom of High Noon and I think top-to-bottom skiing and boarding is on a very short life expectancy. Traditionally snow making ends tonight (end of August) and I see the forecasts predicting -1C for Sunday's minimum - just to rub the salt in.

I saw some kiters out beyond Sig Hill in this morning's wind. It seemed too gusty to me to be any fun. I haven't had my kite out once this year and doubt I will, says this old man.

Someone asked me this morning how much skiing I have gotten in this year. I looked it up: 48 days compared to 75 at this time last year. Not bad considering.