Snow Report Hotham 2022 - Trip Reports, Pics & Conditions
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Drove down and back today for groceries, and it's worth mentioning that on the way down a total of FIVE slower drivers pulled over and let me pass. 5! FIVE!! That's amazing.
There was still one ahole that didn't let people pass, but knowing there are at least some courteous people on the hill made it a pleasant drive nonetheless.
they're checking people have chains plus the resort entry permit.
at least 10 cars off the side/rolled in the last 7 days, afaik all without chains, suggests that it's warranted.
yeah 50% ignorance 50% *******.
I went down on Monday, had a great run until I got to the old ticket box. A car in front following a large Avis mini bus. The bus's brake lights were constantly on, any chance I had to overtake on straight sections they both sped up. Down to 20k most corners. No amount of tooting or light flashing could convince them to pull aside. By the time old mate got to the Meg the bus brakes were smoking big time. They both pulled into Hoy's in Harrietville, out of curiosity I followed, our new snow friends from the sub continent all jumped out to examine their smoking brakes. Absolutely no idea and no concern for the frustrated congo line of cars built up behind them.
Totally different story on Wednesday coming back up where peeps recognised a faster vehicle coming from behind and pulled aside where safe to do so.
Nice to bump into the @Hermannator on a Tbar!, i don’t get the whole single thing (except for snowboarders mb who are Tbar challenged)
Anyway, pretty nice day, I did some yards. Three nice lines out past Loch in challenging snow, then drove around to Blowhard hoping for sun softened faces but found some very nice drifted light stuff so had another three there. Then some stellar light XCg around DTH from DP w my dog late arvo.
Wind and snow begins Saturday. Gradually easing through the day Sunday. High winds and blowing snow. Wind hold for chairs. I love that shit. Do you like riding in a storm? That's the question.
Same for me before I stuck the sticker on. They just asked me if I have them. Certainly didn't ask to see them.
Road needs education and enforcement for these snowplay daytrippers. And Hotham Ski Co need to take some responsibility for the success of their marketing to this audience. It's not a road for the cluelessIts not i agree, something many people said when they packed up the ticket office.......in what, 2012? so it all could be automated.....
The ticket office located on a nice, flat protected location, wirh staff amenities and access to machinery etc
I guess this is what it feels like to be old, see the wheel being reinvented
Its not i agree, something many people said when they packed up the ticket office.......in what, 2012? so it all could be automated.....
The ticket office located on a nice, flat protected location, wirh staff amenities and access to machinery etc
I guess this is what it feels like to be old, see the wheel being reinvented
I’ll admit I had a laugh when I read they are checking for chains and resort entry with a person on the road.
I think someone said before but I concur - one tree is better than spargos atm. Gonna hit up Mary’s if I get a moment of vis
Mary’s- done. Much fun. The run out is being described as sketchy... nothing fcuking wrong with it!
last week it had a big thaw and deep freeze that never thawed afterwards. is why they closed it I guess.
whole of orchard, especially one tree and spargos, had similar issues.
its been reopened for several days now tho.
was plenty fine for my laps down there yesterday, finding week old pow even, and couldn't see what might have been so bad.
the runout was a bit icy, and easy for a skier that can hold an edge. but I saw some kid snowboarders flailing about nearly sliding into the river tho.
if its "inbounds" I guess you have to cater for the lowest level that might make it there. they probably didn't want to put up with water rescues and hypothermic tourists.
Any time you don't have to take your skis off - it's fine IMO. I've had a few days when I've had to to click out and walk in the mud along the creek.
You were unlucky with the buses. Maybe they've bit hit with more COVID shortages? I was there in school hols and the buses were fine.
But I agree 100% with lift etiquette. I noticed a complete lack of lift Nazis in the major queues (staff shortages again) and clueless punters loading up in 2s and 3s when there is a big wait.
Re : Slalom Gully. If they close Sundowner - Slalom Gully becomes even more of a zoo.Lift queue horror thisarvo with roadrunner and summit shut but the snow is coming down now.
As a safety precaution ive decided to extend the weekend into monday....
Took little "kitsune" (Fox狐 in japanese, cuz his fluffy fox tail) out for his first day touring.
What a fun day out the back of dinner plain. Apologies to Cobungra station, I may have strayed onto your land. Never mind, little "kitsune" is pretty much a city pupper and wouldn't know what to do with livestock!
I honestly never thought I'd take a tennis ball split boarding!
Amazing day. Had hoped to skin all the way to precipice plain for some views, but been a little dry lately. Some fresh snow in the preceding days made it fun even though it thinned out too much for skinning halfway.
You must be riding in Australia if you skin over a cattle grid.
If you haven't been ski touring with your doggy then, as far as I'm concerned, you're just missing out on the finest life has to offer!
Gate from DP track to Cobungra station
Little fella loving every minute. I realise it's illegal but i did take him (on lead) for a short bit up towards Hotham with him pulling me "sled dog" style on the trail.
Funnest part of my every day is coming back to DP and going for a ski w the dog.Took little "kitsune" (Fox狐 in japanese, cuz his fluffy fox tail) out for his first day touring.
What a fun day out the back of dinner plain. Apologies to Cobungra station, I may have strayed onto your land. Never mind, little "kitsune" is pretty much a city pupper and wouldn't know what to do with livestock!
I honestly never thought I'd take a tennis ball split boarding!
Amazing day. Had hoped to skin all the way to precipice plain for some views, but been a little dry lately. Some fresh snow in the preceding days made it fun even though it thinned out too much for skinning halfway.
You must be riding in Australia if you skin over a cattle grid.
If you haven't been ski touring with your doggy then, as far as I'm concerned, you're just missing out on the finest life has to offer!
Gate from DP track to Cobungra station
Little fella loving every minute. I realise it's illegal but i did take him (on lead) for a short bit up towards Hotham with him pulling me "sled dog" style on the trail.
What breed is your pup?
I think it’s a good chance to mention chains, both carry and fit when directed.
Possibly a reaction to all the recent crashed on the GAR.
For many, it’s a last chance to go back to Hoys and hire chains - if they really forgot. Not such a bad idea when I think of some driving efforts - web and on the mountain.
My 2 cents.
No queues. Bottomless pow. Constant 30 degree pitch with open trees. Yum.
Some may have noticed I subtly missed out that its 30-45 min hike per run ;PNo queues. Bottomless pow. Constant 30 degree pitch with open trees. Yum.
Considering that it was a well forecasted Sunday pow day I figured it best to go backcountry instead of dealing with every tom dick and harry yahoo that probably went for a ski.
A bit of a gamble, perhaps inbounds was epic today?
On subsequent runs I found thinner portions and even some icy patches, but still 99% freshies all run long.
Anyway, some more ski porn attached.
Cheers @Any some good pub banter at the regular haunt Sat arvo..
Was a bit slack getting out Sunday morning despite the super conditions - no pics (so for all the reader knows it "didn't happen") because I cbf handling my phone too much...
Still found fresh on Blue Ribs, Boondoo first thing (10am), then headed out Northwest toward HV via Playground. There was some very tasty stashes even at 11, such as Wendix (top section) - I was basically skiing where the crowds weren't. Such was my desire to avoid slalom gully that I was lapping Wendix from top of HV and straight-lining it on the banks above the gully/D8 etc.
Then headed to Orchard where it was bitterly cold and foggy but run of the day was found on the way back to HV - was super deep in a wind drift exactly as Bill had described.
Was snowing hard as I left, all the way down to Cobungra and even some flakes on the windscreen for the last ascent before the big descent into Omeo..
Haha well not really any pix but we had a very early freshies ski off the south of the trail down to sheds, then mccolls and wood run this morning. Wood run was crusty below the aqueduct so hiked back up to dav trail. A hike back over higgi just now got some turns above ormond. Groomers were icy and needed more skiing on them. We gotta go but heres the valley just now
Basically had to carry Ms Pink Jacket home. No food and 'several' jugs since 4pm meant she was absolutely plastered by 9
Today MPJ is conspiring with her doctor, a second opinion, a specialist, and emergency department, to ruin today's powder hunting attempt. Hopefully it'll all still be there tomorrow.
Lunch at the Golden Age to clear the head?Basically had to carry Ms Pink Jacket home. No food and 'several' jugs since 4pm meant she was absolutely plastered by 9
Today MPJ is conspiring with her doctor, a second opinion, a specialist, and emergency department, to ruin today's powder hunting attempt. Hopefully it'll all still be there tomorrow.
Today MPJ is conspiring with her doctor, a second opinion, a specialist, and emergency department, to ruin today's powder hunting attempt. Hopefully it'll all still be there tomorrow.
It's all a false alarm. Further enforcing my opinion of poor regional medical services.
Golden age sounds nice, I could do with a drink, but they don't open until 2
How rude! Glad to hear it's a false alarm.Basically had to carry Ms Pink Jacket home. No food and 'several' jugs since 4pm meant she was absolutely plastered by 9
Today MPJ is conspiring with her doctor, a second opinion, a specialist, and emergency department, to ruin today's powder hunting attempt. Hopefully it'll all still be there tomorrow.
Cbs hiking today, went for a cruise instead. 2 cars with chains still on past cobungra station...could have taken them off at flourbag. Needs better chain signals so road doesn't get unnecessarily trashed
Also corral full at 1230 and chains needed past village, should be 4wd exemption to loch car park as soon as possible
All this needs funding. Given the government's population policy + probably post lockdowns busy, the infrastructure is not up to par now. Particularly with what I'm guessing are new visitors to the GAR in winter
Pull over with faster car behind, take your chains off, don't stop in stupid locations
Sunday fun in varsity drag, heavy fresh special
Called it quits early after only one backcountry run. Avi danger too high in the backcountry.
Some old chalky pow in some spots inbounds, but lift queues built up.
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You could add to that sign - "go fast up hill and slow down hill" - a lot of people seem to do the exact opposite where they crawl up the steep sections then coast fast down hills constantly riding the brakes.its probably not obvious enough for the average tourist
FB post didn't load for me, so I thought I'd include them.
This is the type of fracture I was afraid of experiencing myself today.
FB post didn't load for me, so I thought I'd include them.
This is the type of fracture I was afraid of experiencing myself today.
For those who don't wander into bc chatter
cool!For those who don't wander into bc chatter
it was in the report this morning, but I hadn't seen it.
and yes the bc chatter thread was too full random stuff for me to try to keep up with.
Slipping and sliding everywhere. I love that gully but wouldn't ride it in these conditions.For those who don't wander into bc chatter
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