Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am

To summarise the winter: Mother Nature turned up to the party late, went off with a big bang and then left early leaving many unsatisfied.

It hasn't really snowed in months and the weather has taken it's toll these past few days with today being no exception. That being said, there were many disgruntled punters in the Kosi queue this morning asking why so much was closed overnight and why when they came to Thredbo for school holidays before the October long weekend they feel cheated.

Yesterday I skied all over the resort riding almost every lift and skiing every open run. Sure there is a very unusual band of thaw at mid elevation. The Cat Walk was reduced to a "walk" a few days ago but Conrod Straight has remained delightful.

The bottom of High Noon and Supertrail were is great condition for this time of year and the upper slopes were too. The bad band was between Kareela and BunnyWalk and on the flatter section of High Noon above the steep section. In many ways it is a testament to the power of man-made snow but it seems it was concentrated more at the bottom than the mid slopes. A sort of "snow inversion" if you like.

Anyway, I had an enjoyable hour in the Basin this morning but last night's 100kph hair dryer wind has really wreaked havoc on the Basin leaving big holes with the creek bubbling up. It doesn't look long for this world without some serious work and some cold nights.

I guess from my point of view, as a supplier of accommodation, the worst part of letting the ski runs fall apart is that it will be so much harder to get people to book for September school holidays next year. Several in the Kosi queue this morning said, they wouldn't book again. Sure it costs money to keep runs open but the positive publicity generated must make it worthwhile. As someone said yesterday "the resort opened with less snow".

Once again it appeared that the first T-bar to be stripped of it's T's was Karels - the highest lift in Australia and yesterday it had such a good cover.

I guess the final word on Thredbo's winter season should be "Short And Sweet", whilst KT's report card could read "Could do better". That said, the toboggan slope has been a screaming success but then, I ski ;-)

The Basin on Saturday (doesn't look like this today)

Supertrail below BunnyWalk on Saturday and Sunday below

Bottom of High Noon on Saturday

Friday Flat on Saturday

Saturday: looking up Meadows and down Milk Run

Sunday: looking up Meadows and down Milk Run

Looking at the Supertrail towards Meadows yesterday, from another angle

Yesterday - Sunday: View from top of Sponars and looking to bottom of Antons

Karels yesterday

Meadows base depth indicator - GONE!
Not just the snow but also the indicator

Despite last night's gale the weather is most pleasant again today.

I must admit I can't remember a season when the lifts have been closed with so much cover. All that remains open for skiing and boarding in the resort is Friday Flat and The Basin T-bar :-(

Continuing with my grump against the Squatters Run body corporate, today's article is more of question for this weekend's AGM. More serious grumping to follow.