With many of the regular participants overseas (Gary, Uts, Bryan, Nola and kids you are with us in thought) it was time to renew our annual skiing vacation. Since the kids are a little older we decided to try Perisher instead of the family resort at Mt.Selwyn. This year three families had signed up for a house right in the heart of Jindabyne called Torinos. Unfortunately, Will decided to tear his hamstring and have it surgically reattached to his buttock, so he was not allowed near any snow or ice. So it was left to the Crockers and Rosenbaums to check out the new territory and blast a pioneering path for the next annual snow trips.

This year's plan was to explore Canberra on Saturday while staying at Mats dad’s place. Torino turned out perfect with nice floor-heating, spa-baths for the kids (see the monster bubble bath image) and a great entertainment area. The drive to Perisher (while avoiding the expensive ski-tube) was more pleasant than expected and took less than thirty minutes. But it was the variety and scale of the resort that made all the difference.

We all decided to head down to Canberra and stay the weekend so that we could explore Questacom and the war memorial as well as avoid much of the traffic heading to the snow for the weekend. Thank you for having us Sue and John and for the nice Chinese dinner. The Bugatti was a hit with the kids and we look forward to version two with reverse and more speed.

Tsunami roling in at Blue Cow	Rafaela and Chris Bugatti	Twins at Perisher

On Sunday morning we headed for the snow and pick up our gear from Absolute Albine in the heart of Jindabyne. One child was free for every adult gear hire and the rental for five days was quite reasonable. However, it was the lift passes that were very expensive. I have attached prize lists below for a comparison to next year. It is definitely better to get lift passes online beforehand, but committing to five days with young children and without knowing the weather might be tricky.

Perisher carpark	Blue Cow tube station	Gabriel in Meditation

Louise and Roman decided for the four and a half day ticket of skiing and went up Sunday afternoon to test out the gear. The first half day is free but must be used right away. Mat and Larissa took it day by day with Gabriel and Rafaela in ski school. All in all, the weather was a plethora of alpine conditions ranging from perfect with amazing sunshine on the first day, to gusty freezing wind and finally a big dump of powder snow right at the end. Because of the complexity and price of the lift passes it was better to ski every day and there was no muscle that did not ache a little after a full four days of skiing and then some.

Happy Four - Gabriel	Chairlift twins and Louise	Gabriel twins and Bugatti

.

Officially this year probably marks the youngest skier yet to hit the slopes and Gabriel (coinciding with his fourth birthday to be precise) probably holds the record for the youngest skiing bunny. Liam is probably second and then the twins Roman and Chris. Rafaela made great improvements and will join the adult rank next year while Mat, Roman junior and Chris conquered the notorious black run Kamikaze in prime white-out conditions. Thanks for not leaving Louise behind on the first run Mat!
For the rest I will let the pictures do most of the talking.

Prize for Cloth Hire download Here.

See you all soon ...

Roman 19 August 2012