A Big Blow and A Big Wet followed by A Big Day

If you hadn't already heard, it rained heavily yesterday and the wind got up to 122kph. The rain decimated the resort. The forecast Friday snowfalls had turned into the Big Wet - washing away the snow pack, flooding creeks and rivers, roads and car parks.

I went to Cooma for a shop and made sure I was back early, having seen these sorts or rainfalls block roads before. As I drove back past Wild Brumby I could see the waters lapping at the edges of the Alpine Way and sure enough, not long after I had returned home the Alpine Way was closed due to flooding at that spot. The combination of extreme winds and heavy rain played havoc and made driving difficult.

Around 2am I was awaken to the sound of ice crystals, not rain drops hitting my window. The resort returned to white once more but the snow pack is thin. The wind dropped significantly, as did the temperature.

I went out tentatively dressed in all 4 layers to confront the -15C wind chill. My first run in difficult visibility was nice. I avoided most of the ice sheets and got freshies in the wake of the other 3 that I rode first chair with. My second run was tentatively down skier's left of World Cup - well at least half way. The snow pack at Ski-in Ski-out corner was a metre wide and to be avoided.

The Masters' Race was almost cancelled but with the new snow it was held on a shortened course on Rosi Racecourse.

After my 2 runs on Kosi I diverted to Eagles Nest Restaurant where a big event had been planned - Tommy Tomasi turned 90 today. Sara and Steve put on a great morning for us all as we celebrated Tommy's big day.

Yesterday afternoon: Thredbo River above it's banks down by the Chapel (photo courtesy of Peter)

Flooded car park by the Village Green (photo courtesy of Peter)

Chains weren't going to help here with Thredbo River in the background (photo courtesy of Peter)

Yesterday afternoon and then again this morning

Upper World Cup and Supertrail yesterday afternoon

Meadows natural snow measuring point this morning

Ski Patrol fencing off the World Cup Onsen
They even had snow making on upper World Cup this morning :-)

A big crowd turned up at Eagles Nest for Tommy's 90th birthday bash
Sara brings out the delicious black forest cake

Sara and Steve providing a celebratory set up including birthday cake
Tommy's still got a lot of puff

Happy 90th Birthday Tommy

Instructor, patroller
family man and good friend
wedelning his turns
upon mogul and bend.

From Aspen to Breckenridge
Cervinia, Val d'Isere,
from Charlottes to Thredbo
you've skied everywhere.

You've guided and taught
and brought us much fun
with a warm golden glove
and many a pun.

Following Sasha and Frank
and very few more
you've skied into your 90's
and left us in awe.

With cow parts and stitches
and almost new eyes
the stents and the doctors
give you so many lives.

Now after ninety big birthdays
what do you hear?
"Keep skiing young Tommy,
and we'll see you next year".

Happy Birthday Tommy Tomasi