Overnight the snow fell. We woke up to a dark day outside with all of our tracks covered over with snow. Everyone was so excited to get out there and play. Knowing that it would not be enough snow to cover everything but it was a great start. And what we did not know at the time is that this would be the last big snow dump of the season. It slowly melted and the ski season finished nearly a month earlier than its usual end date.
The plan for the day was just to get out and explore. See what has been covered over and how far we can ski without taking them off. Walking outside and putting them on was our first challenge for the day. The snow was deep and extremely sticky. It was balling up under our boots as as we went along it would stick to the base of the skis and stop us moving. We all had to stop and apply wax to the base. As the skiing over the grass would have worn it off over the week. Once they were waxed up we were able to ski on with ease.
I tried to take photos today that I had taken already to show the difference the new snow made. This is on the track from Cope hut back down to the Rover Chalet. Everything except the hillside in the back of the photo was bare the day before. This was a wide dirt 4wd track.
This is near the same spot that I took the first photo in my last entry. Skiing up the trail to Cope Hut. I love that we can now ski all the way but I was missing the colour of the bushes and flowers that were all along the side of the track.
The snow in NZ was lovely when we were hiking and climbing in it. But I found it really strange that the tree line finished below where the snow would usually fall. Once up in the snow we had no shelter and nothing obstructing our view.
Even Cope Hut was looking different in the snow. Being on the West side of the valley it would get a good amount of sun and this snow I did not expect to stay around too long.
Our trip today went past Cope and Wallaces hut. As well as the hill behind the Rover Chalet One that we had done a few times already during the week. This section of the road only had a very light cover on it. And the exposed patches were very icy.
It was a cold and stormy day once we got up onto the open plains. The wind was strong and cold. The clouds were dark and stormy looking. No more snow was going to fall and at least it wasn’t raining. But it did mean that I could wear more of the clothing that I had brought with me. As i expected the whole trip to be colder and had brought too much.
Even Wallaces hut had changed overnight. I hope that next year when we return we will have a good snow season and get to ski the whole time we are out here. And not have to take them off and walk for sections. I will also try to work out my clothing to bring just what I need and also a lot less snacks. This year I brought so many. Forgetting just how much food there is stored and cooked up at the chalet. Less cheese, more chocolate and drinks. Maybe even a frozen margarita mix to put out in the snow to set.
The day ended with us finding a long downhill run that we could do laps of. Our final play before heading back to clean and close up the chalet.
The next morning we were skiing back out to Falls Creek around 5am. To make sure we get out in time to catch a bus to the bottom of the hill where our cars are. So we had to pack up everything and give the chalet one final clean. Getting it ready for the next group that would be skiing in that morning.
The ski out started before the sun came up. A frosty morning with icy snow. The first hour was along the flat aqueduct trail and then we reached the main road to follow back to Falls Creek. We were able to see the whole way. Some sections were extremely thin and would not last the day. But it did mean that the crew that was coming in for the week would have a great start.
Even with the lack of snow cover over the week. We still managed to get out and ski every day. Having a great time and meeting a fun new group of people. I hope that I can come back again next year and that the snow cover will be a lot better.
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