Snow Season 2015 Open For Business

Friday was a beautiful day and the Easy Does It quad chair was open for business. Under a clear blue sky I made my first turns for 2015 on a very good cover of snow - part natural and a lot man-made.

Saturday was serious business. Merritts and High Noon were open. The cover on High Noon was considerably better than on Merritts, which only had Walkabout open.

I had planned to go touring on Sunday but the wind had other ideas and Kosi chair was closed due to the wind that peaked over 90kph early in the day. I did a few more runs on High Noon but the slope felt as though it hadn't been groomed. I was assured by others that it had been but it cut up very early.

By Monday the wind was peaking in excess of 100kph and I simply didn't bother going out for a turn.

The weekend presented numerous high-lights and low-lights. I won't go into the whole list here and now but I give you one of each.

One high-light was an indication of how good the cover of snow really is. On Saturday night I was amazed to see a "Flare Run". I can't recall ever seeing a flare run on the opening weekend before and I don't recall ever seeing a flare run on High Noon. Mind you my memory isn't what it was ;-) Well done to everyone involved in putting together a flare run on the June Long Weekend.

One low-light of the weekend was the extremely poor turn out at the annual Blessing of the Snow on Sunday afternoon - the worst turn out I have ever seen. I'm not a religious person but I believe in preserving the old traditions of Thredbo. There was only a handful of visitors and a handful ski patrollers in attendance and I felt embarrassed for the four ministers who put in the effort to come to Thredbo to perform the ceremony. Sadly I feel this old tradition may be on its way out. I say 'sadly' because when the old traditions disappear the heart of the resort goes with them. Very poor form Thredbo.

Friday Flat on Friday

Friday Flat on Saturday

Looking at the top of High Noon from Frostbite
And looking down High Noon from the same location

Looking down the steep section of High Noon

At the bottom of the steep section
Yes, Creek Station was open all weekend

The flare run on Saturday night on High Noon

The Blessing of the Snow ceremony

Man in a Snow Dome

The Snow Play area was very popular

Looking out towards Signature Hill
There is quite an impressive natural cover on the main range

According to the seers the next snow falls will be next week, not this. In the meantime, the very cold nights forecast should provide perfect snow making conditions :-)