So up at stoopid o'clock (just before 5am). Dozed in the car but didn't really sleep. Picked up gear at Cooma and had Scottish Restaurant for breakfast.
We parked at Smiggins, but still had a hike to the ticket office. Got myself sorted and was on the snow at 9am.
It was an awesome day for it. Good snow (although a little thin in places) and glorious sunny skies. In fact I had to take my beanie and eventually gloves off because it was just too hot. Queues weren't too bad in most places - only a couple that I had to wait more than a couple of minutes for (Ridge Quad and Happy Valley T).
Lunch was at Blue Cow at 12pm, and was surprisingly uncrowded (probably because most people were outside enjoying the sunshine). Left a bit after 4:30pm.
Blue Cow Terminal from Side Saddle
Main Ranges from Guthega Peak
The last time I did Norwegian Trail at Guthega was in 1999 and I didn't see the dam, presumably because of trees in the way. So was quite surprised when I saw it this time.
Riding a T-Bar in Guthega
Blue Cow Terminal from Blue Cow High Traverse
Last time I was at the snow I had the GPS with me, and recorded a pretty cool track for the day. This year I decided to cover as much of the resort as possible, and go on as many different lifts and runs as I could. I did pretty well, not repeating too much, but didn't get to Mount P. Oh well - next time!
Twenty eight lift/t-bar rides, twenty green runs, nine blue runs (although some of them were mixed up a bit). 44.6 kilometres covered on skis (includes lifts). And I didn't fall over at all. Awesome day :):)
Aquila
Pfft.... and not a single mention of the fantastic Backberry support guy.