Following our Japan trip in February this year we were keen to visit the local Australian slopes to keep our boards and skies from rusting away for another year. Winter season in Oz is very short so July/August provides a quick window period for hitting the snowy mountains. With all mate busy with their domestic bliss, it was the young generation who had to step up and fill the void. Chris, Jake and Rory came to the party and planned the trip to perfection with several lucky brakes to top of an amazing week in the snow at Perisher. The boys ended up booking Discovery lodges in Jindabyne and reserved the Standard no frills cabins, which for unbeknown reason was upgraded to the Deluxe Cabins so we ended up with separate bedrooms for the snorer and the godly blissful – namely me. We even had our own jacuzzi and a fully furbished kitchen for that inevitable morning porridge preparation.
It was Rory’s first time on the snowboard so we spent the first day dropping him off at Perisher front valley for his early morning lesson and then headed across to Blue Cow for some off-piste carving at Outer limits and the Rock garden. The grooming was perfect and snow conditions were excellent mid-August, despite the Bluebird sky and generally very hot temperature. It was that rare sweet spot of skiing in T-shirts during the day and freezing temperatures at night. Rory joined us in the afternoon and showed off his new skills. In the end it took three days and Rory could follow us comfortably on several blue runs including a jump park and his first T-bar. Amazing progression considering it was his first time.
Time went fast and we generally used the Ski tube in the early morning to go straight to Blue Cow. One day at Guthega showed us that the snow level was very low with grass appearing everywhere. So we explored around the Freedom chair with much better snow conditions. If there is no other dump the season will be very short this year and spring skiing will be impossible. Let’s see.
Despite the huge kitchen the Bolo was hard to resist and the chicken parmis in combination with happy hour were irresistible. We even discovered the locals closely guarded secret: Monday Wing night !. Lets just say the we decimated the local life stock significantly that day. The week flew by and the legs held up for a solid week of skiing, no injuries and some amazing apricity. Arnie said it best: “We will be back.” |
