The Best Plans ...

Friday saw the opening of Basin and Karels T-Bars. The bottom of Basin was not pretty and now I know why it took so long to get it open. On the other hand, Karels was a treat. The off piste face was not firm as expected but soft - heavy yet fast. You would sink in about 10cms and although technically difficult for lower-end skiers the rest of us had a ball laying tracks on the untouched surface. After a couple of hours there was little left but this gave promise of what else was awaiting those you ventured out of the resort.

The forecast was for fine weather over the weekend and with the state that the Supertrail was in together with big school holiday crowds the idea of going "out the back" with a picnic lunch seemed ideal.

With fresh bread rolls and all the necessary ingredients I awoke on Saturday morning to see the top of the mountains hidden in cloud. Oh well, there goes that plan. Although the snow guns had been going all night I didn't figure there was much point rushing out so went back to bed to help recover from the night before - hey, it had been a big night with Philippoussis winning his Wimbledon semi final.

When I eventually got onto the slopes, to my great surprise, not only had there been a huge amount of snow made overnight but a team of shovellers had done a wonderful job to repair Eagle Way.

Sunday saw a repeat in Saturday's weather but the overnight cloud cover had prevented any serious attempt at snowmaking. The snow pack was softer than Saturday's and that meant you could carve your way around the mountain. Best runs on Sunday were early on Supertrail, Antons and Merritts. Sundowner was much improved but by the end of the day the Cat Track was looking the worst that I've seen it all season.

Blue sky - fresh tracks - Friday morning off Karels T-bar

The freshies lasted past mid morning

Saturday: Supertrail relatively uncrowded

Happy holidayers enjoying the conditions

Sundowner on Sunday afternoon

The forecast is not looking good but then this weekend's weather was not forecast. We even had a few stray snowflakes fall on both days. The winds have picked up and are moving some snow around. As many a local says "it's early days yet" but I know the school holidayers would appreciate any improvement in the conditions. The Supertrail is still true "top to bottom" and the thin spot at Bunny Walk has been repaired. High Noon is closed due to lack of snow and Sponar's T-bar is still yet to open.

Still, if you are not convinced taht this is th eplace to be, all I can do is quote that old adage: "the worst day on the slopes is better than the best day in the office".