May as well get this off to a start given the worst of the fire threat seems to have passed. Being prepared. Main threat has passed and just on 5mm rain according to the BOM. Cams back on. Bring on the cooler weather I reckon!
As I have mentioned elsewhere, I am looking at flying solo with my son (turning 4 in March) this year, as my wife dislocated her arm snowboarding last year and so isn't inclined to join us. If anyone wants to join forces for a trip, I'd appreciate it - at the moment the Marritz Hotel is looking like the best option for us, but I'm keen to join up with others, whether that's another family with young kids (share the pain!) or someone with a room to fill. He and I are fine sharing a bed, and he'll be in the Discovery program, leaving my days relatively free. We're also flexible on dates, as long as we avoid the end of July (wife's birthday!).
Thanks for kickstarting the new season...... Snow guns firing, 4th Jan.......... Gotta Love the Fountains!
Perisher now has a snow gun set up spraying water onto the wooden deck at the bottom of Mt P double chair, and I would guess covering the wooden side of the Kicking Horse cafe building too. Hopefully the fire over behind Mt Tate - over the other side of the dam from Guthega - won’t go silly if the weather gets going from the NW again but the more of the resort (or indeed of the entire park) that can be sopping wet the better! Edit: Looking on https://hotspots.dea.ga.gov.au/ just now it all looks very much better than the last few days for both Perisher and Thredbo but still...
The boys and gals are in town THANK YOU!! Edit: Not implying that the RFS and Volunteers are just protecting our loved ski fields. If the forecasts for the next few days evenuate, they will be hard working to cover a lot of territory throughout the district.
FYI, one of the big fire bombing aircraft just did a pass over Guthega, the back of Mt P, then back out over Blue Cow, presumably dropping retardant:
Could be a positive if the fires drive the wild horses from the backcountry into areas where they are more visible along with their effect on the vegetation, waterways and the land.
You don't understand. If they end up on the brumby lovers' land they will be pests and exterminated. They are only heritage if they are in a national park.
Has anyone had any indication when the road up to Perisher-Charlottes will be open (and more to the point when Steve at Eyre will be able to re-open)?
I saw somebody post on the Jindy facebook page that it is closed at least until 1st February. I don’t know where that came from or how accurate it is. Probably just the rumour mill
Closed parks: Kosciuszko National Park Applies from Mon 13 Jan 2020, 9.09am. Last reviewed: Thu 16 Jan 2020, 10.50am. All walking tracks and cycling trails (including Thredbo Valley track) in Kosciuszko National Park are closed. All backcountry areas in Kosciuszko National Park are closed. Road closures and re-openings Visitors can now access Thredbo Village precinct via Alpine Way from Jindabyne. All visitors to Thredbo Village need to remain within the precinct boundaries. The Alpine Way is now open between Jindabyne and Thredbo Village. The Alpine way is closed between Thredbo Village and Khancoban. The Snowy Mountains Highway is now open between Tumut and Adaminaby. There is a road closure on Kosciuszko Road at Thredbo River picnic area (toward Perisher Valley). Visitors must remain within the road corridor of any open roads located within Kosciuszko National Park as there may be hazards like burnt trees and damaged buildings near roads. Beware changing conditions All roads, resorts and other areas may close suddenly in response to changing bushfire risk. You should monitor advice from NSW Rural Fire Service and other emergency services frequently, regardless of whether you are inside or outside of Kosciuszko National Park. Authorised access only Access for employees and contractors of Perisher Blue and Charlotte Pass Snow Resort needs to be authorised by resort operators. Access for employees and contractors of lease holders at Perisher, Smiggin Holes, Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Sawpit Creek, Diggers Creek and Wilsons Valley needs to be authorised by NPWS. For access, email npws.southernrangesbranch@environment.nsw.gov.au between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Anyone returning to these areas should be prepared to leave if conditions change.
The road to Perisher (and Charlottes) is open again. Guthega and Link roads remain closed. Limited walks are open, rainbow lake, paillibo track, waterfall walk, porcupine rocks, stillwell walk. Kozzie walks and main range track still closed.
Porcupine Rocks, Pallaibo Track, the Waterfall Walk and Rainbow Lake are all walks worth doing and often ignored in favour of walks at higher altitude.
Perisher car park is currently packed with loads of Charlotte’s vehicles, groomers, oversnow transport, etc. I guess they have moved them down there to reduce the risk from any further bushfire activity. There is no snow left at Perisher. However, still a reasonable amount hanging around the main range considering its the end of January, particularly Twynam, Blue lake, Carruthers, Club lake. Probably will still be a few spots for another month.
Perhaps Blyton swapped out there Selwyn lease for a head lease at Perisher and Vail are now Blytons leasees
That would be about right. It would about compensate for the revenue lost from "tennis court" they erect in the carpark. Do they still do that? And has anyone ever seen it used?
The Ridge could do with an upgrade - the queues there get horrendous especially when beginners & low intermediates come down roller coaster
Perhaps to alleviate queues rather than upgrade Ridge a quad up to Terminal with a mid at the Roller Coast road crossing. Quick return to Blue Cow Terminal, quicker return to Perisher and a some decent intermediate skiing over a reasonable length.
That’s all cool, they get parked there for 39 minutes & there’s peace & quiet somewhere else on the hill.
When I last spoke to Steve he said he would be open every day until the Australia day PH, then would take a short break. I didn’t ask about after that, as I was not planning to be around. However, the impression I got was that he would then reopen, but not everyday.
I haven't heard that suggestion before. It is a good one and I will pay it! There will be a redundant triple chair available next year - it would only need to run from 10:30am to 2:30pm to alleviate those terrible crowds. When there's fresh snow, there's plenty of hill to explore north of Accelerator, but the reward is just not there once you get to the bottom and see the line up.
Another thoughtie for the brains trust: Perisher were able to put in the Shipping container "tunnel" to avoid collisions on the crossover paths at Blue Cow. Do you think NSWPS would give them permission to put another container or temporary (seasonal) bridge over the creek near the bottom of Interceptor / North Perisher T Bar - when conditions were right, this would open up a fair bit of terrain from the top of Smiggins (short walk up) and down the westerly face. There is some lovely terrain west and NW of Smiggs, but nowhere to get back out.
Or put an appropriately aimed camera down there, and display it on screens at lifts near the entry points to heading down there.
Totally agree. There is already a camera on the outer wall of the loading station - let it be used so customers can make informed decisions about skiing down there or not?
