25 August 2010

Unusually cold August good for the ski bunnies

| johnboy
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The Canberra Times informs us that there’s an upside to the cold we’ve been shivering through.

Snow.

Despite a slow start, an unusually cold August brought with it massive snow falls, reaching depths of more than 118cm across the Snowy Mountain’s main ski resorts.

Selwyn Snowfields resort manager Paul Chandler said more good news was on its way.

”We’re expecting an extra 40cm in the next two days, so snow conditions at the moment are absolutely fantastic,” he said.

”Normally at this time of year, spring’s on its way, so the weather’s getting hotter and the snow is beginning to melt. This year, we’re still in peak winter conditions.”

Is it nice to know that someone somewhere else is having fun?

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From BOM: Partly cloudy with isolated showers, falling as snow above 1000 metres.

Hmmm… May have snow in Canberra’s neighbourhood of Corin Rd (1200m), off Tidbinbilla Rd.

If anyone gets a chance to go that way, please let us know.

I agree with Al about Charlotte Pass. It’s a beautiful place to stay, family friendly, heaps of snow and no waiting for the lifts. They whip up brilliant gourmet meals – they have a great chef working behind the scenes.

Gungahlin Al12:22 pm 25 Aug 10

I like using the Transborder bus service to the snow. 5am at Magnet mart Gungahlin, no parking costs. Pull the beanie down and go back to sleep. At the skitube by 8 and at Blue Cow close enough to opening time. Jam a clothing change and food/drink (no food price rip off) in a locker and off you go.

I prefer over Blue Calf/Guthega side away from crowds, or up to Mt P.

I have my own board etc and there’s no discount if you don’t need it, but the price is a saving anyway. Therefore I pay the ski ticket package as it is a little cheaper than the boarding ticket.

Back on the bus about 5pm after a change into fresh clothes, another nap or iPod/ebook, and home by about 7.30. No driving while stuffed after a full-on day. Love it. And the end of season last couple of weekends are always great – quiet. Just gotta watch out for holes and rocks in places.

You can get a season’s pass for Perisher for about $650 now so thats almost half price – given there are 2 long weekends coming up you’d probably be able to ski it off on weekends alone.

Waiting For Godot11:06 am 25 Aug 10

I just hope we don’t get six solid weeks of lousy weather like last year which completely ruined Floriade.

ConanOfCooma10:37 am 25 Aug 10

It’s too expensive here, the snow sucks, and they just want to bleed you dry.

Selwyn is the only place left in NSW that is remotely friendly, but somewhat lacking in snow challenges.

Save your cash and just do two weeks in NZ or Japan every year, it’s well worth it, and you get treated like royalty, especially in NZ.

thanks Al!
– and – check out some ski shop out of season sale s- you can pick up last year’s ski suits for the price of 2 days hire, then you are set for the one day trips whenever you want.

Gungahlin Al10:00 am 25 Aug 10

You can get a (kind of) reasonable price for the Chalet at Charlotte Pass through Wotif. Had a long weekend there a week back and it was brilliant. And with so much snow falling all day long, almost every run was untracked every time down.

Includes full on gourmet meals, kids eat in a separate venue.
And the oversnow transport adds to the experience.
No crowds or lines. Great lifties. The bistro lunch cafe totally sucks though – horrible food absurd prices. Ski to the front door.

Very little in the way of gear shop there so make sure you get your gear like goggles and clothing on the way up – you need it for the oversnow anyway. We like using Fleets at Berridale (little blue shop right next to the road). (And Aldi’s annual ski sale for clothing.)

You can’t park overnight at Perisher, forcing you to be ripped off by the Skitube – $170 for a family return!

I think that one is a permanent deal though. (it is an easy way for a day at the snow – especially if you buy your own ski clothes for cheap at an end of season sale).

I was thinking more of a bargain 3 day stay on snow or some such…

I got a fantastic deal from a bus company. $150 for transport there and back, all ski gear hire (except for clothes) and lift pass! Don’t knw why it took me so long to discover these sorts of deals.

Hmm – any cheap deals still going for the snow then?

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