Another Cold Snap

Unless you live in Northern Australia, I don't need to tell you there was a really cold snap over the previous days.

I can't recall when snow last fell in five states and territories (NSW, ACT, VIC, SA & TAS) on the same day.

We didn't get as much snow as some forecasters had predicted BUT the cold, cold air produced dry, dry snow - the quality of such that is more reminiscent of North America.

The snow fall before lifts opened on Friday morning was, to say the least, variable. I'm not sure whether it was the extreme cold air or the moisture from the rain damaged snow pack or both, but the new snow up to 10cms deep in places was "grabby". The ice sheets and frozen moguls between the new snow were "fast" yet carve-able. The result, especially where the visibility was less than poor, was "interesting". Sections of each run were most enjoyable but the other sections were hard work. I needed caffeine early up ;-)

My final run was my best. From the top of Karels, where no other soul could be spotted, over the Rim into the Basin and then down Swaggies, through the trees and down Cannonball.

Around midday it started snowing again. Small dry flakes that intensified in quantity as the afternoon progressed. Those I spoke to today who had stuck it out said it was the quality skiing they had had in a long time. I could see this morning, fresh tracks right to the village through the trees. Oh well, some of us have to work :-(

With the sun out early this morning there was a huge queue waiting for Kosi chair to open. My first run was a delight but each successive run seemed to discover more of the icy/crunchy base as the fresh snow was pushed aside. To get away from the extensive queue on Kosi chair, Candlelight John and I opened up Karels T-bar. I say "opened up" because, although there were many already riding the lift, none were skiing the front faces. We put several yummy lines down both sides of the T before others suddenly realised "it was open" and joined in trashing our lines ;-)

After a very crowded coffee stop at Eagles Nest around 10:30, John and I found good (and mostly untracked) snow off Sponars and Wiamea before I had to return at midday.

I kept thinking I should take photos of the big dry powder plumes being sprayed by riders on the slopes, but I was having way too much fun to stop.

Lower slopes on Thursday - looking sad after Wednesday's rain :-(

Same slopes this afternoon - looking happy after natural and man-made snow :-)

The base depth indicator on the Meadows, yesterday morning

Yesterday's 'dust on crust'

World Cup yesterday - the dust was yum - the crust was yuck

The Village Square yesterday afternoon

Al Fresco dining indeed :-)

The sun put in some rare appearances yesterday

Michael's Mistake was fully trashed today

My pick of all photos this week/season, has to be our fav ticket checker, Rob
on Lake Jindabyne in Thursday's massive winds and swell (photo courtesy Rob's wife)

As I type this report the air temp is -5C and that's the warmest it's been in days :-)

Thinking of you Toni - get well soon.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Mum :-)

Meanwhile back in grumpy zone:
For those who haven't got into it yet, you can start at: wikigrumps/4579700901_2014072513/

For the regulars, the latest article in the series can be found at: wikigrumps/4579700901_2014073009/