Dimishing Returns?

Well today was not what was forecast. From first light it was obvious that it was going to be a blue-bird day without rain. The wind had dropped and swung to the WSW. Being Bank Holiday for NSW and ACT with the lawyers race and many other events from the Rossignol Ladies Day to Rossi demo weekend, it should have been, by any stretch of the imagination, the busiest weekend of the season.

Of course I'm probably jumping the gun being that it is only Saturday but from what I saw and what I heard from others, the crowds were not nearly as big as expected. Considering the three days of fresh snow earlier in the week and a glorious blue sky day today the crowds were down.

Don't mistake me; it was nice to not have long queues. Kosi chair had a bit of a line-up but from what I heard and saw, that was it. My plan, all along, had been to go a little way out of the resort today to escape the crowds. Going only a little way meant I did have to share the untracked slopes but that was an issue.

It appeared that more of the resort had been groomed than at any other time this year. Having said that, lower World Cup was not. I didn't rush to the lift this morning but somehow ended up on 4th chair. My first run down Crackenback this morning was surprisingly pleasant on quality corduroy and some untracked man made. After my one run, the Basin and Karels were open, and I made my escape immediately.

Yesterday I managed to get first chair on Merritts ;-) As Randy said over coffee - why? That's a long story that I might expand upon in another report, along with some great photos that Peter sent me of his day trip on Wednesday in the fresh powder.

Meadows snow depth this morning (down a little)

My target - appeared without tracks but
there were some left-overs on the North Face

From the top of Signature Hill looking back towards Eagles Nest

I got two runs in before I was joined with more weekend punters

Icy-popsicles

My stairway to heaven ;-)
donations will be accepted from all the others who took advantage ;-)

Giant Alpine Butterfly

View back down to the bridge, showing how thin the snow cover really is

By the time I left the hill I had had some help on the very enjoyable surface

That regular shot from the bridge but taken this time from behind the bridge
standing on the snow covered Merritts Creek

So here I am, typing away and it's not even 2pm. I'm exhausted from my boot packing up Signature Hill. My stamina levels are taking a long time to build this season and I refuse to keep skiing when my body is in any shape other than primo ;-Q

As I look out of my window there's sunshine but no one to be seen on High Noon or Sundance - it's hard to believe it is even a weekend.

Tomorrow's another day, even if being in Thredbo this weekend seems a little retro with Cassie & James, Jay & Ces, Rosco and many more identities from the past cruising around the slopes :-)