These images are of our ski lesson, instructed by Mike Edmondson, around the 5 km Nordic trail which was packed by machine.

Mike reports that “The 25 cm of new snow has provided a good base . We now need a top up to cover the odd rock, creek & grassy section. These were mainly on the downhills making them more challenging. Beautiful deep powder snow with little base on the lower elevations. The charlottes pass road from perisher would still be the best X-C skiing for Classic or skating around the resorts. The main range from Charlote Pass or Thredbo top station would have a better base but require good weather & more experienced skier- ideally go with a guide!”  Cheers Mike

Perisher Range Cross Country Ski Trail Grooming and Snow Report Date: Saturday 17 July 2010 Time: 6:30 AM Temp (at the Shelter): -7

Visibility: very good Wind: light Overnight Min: -8 Cloud cover: 1/8 Weather: cold and fine Snow Cover: Just enough – repacking of the 7.5 will happen once we get a bit more snow

Nordic Shelter Precinct Re-packed (incl. Access, Sprint Loops, Bowl, practice loops and practice areas)

2.5 km loop Re-packed and trackset Watch for rocks, twigs and holes.

5 km loop Re-packed and trackset Watch for rocks, twigs and holes.

7.5 km loop Packed Watch for rocks, twigs and holes.

Today our instructor/guide Mike Edmondson took out a group of 6 enthusiastic skiers for a half day Cross Country lesson at Perisher and came back with some great news about last nights snow falls and here are the photos to prove it!

“Great 30cm of new snow makes for some great cross country skiing up the road from perisher to charlottes pass. Whether you are skating or touring this road provided the best cross country skiing in the perisher are till we get more snow & the Nordic trails are fully groomed.”

Now it looks like winter!  It is properly cold (-4) and clear with a crisp moderate wind and a gorgeous blanket of snow over everything.

 The trails area has approximately 20-25 cm of drifted snow with large amounts collected behind the snowfences.  The early wet snow has made a great base under new dry, windpacked snow. 

 The trails will be inspected today and if the cover is sufficient they will be packed and prepared for grooming.  Note, even if they are packed today, they won’t be trackset and finely finished until subsequent grooms.

 But don’t wait for the tracks to be set.  You will be able to tour most anywhere.  Watch for all of the usual hazards of limited snow depth, but it will be a beautiful day to be out there.

The snow we have all been waiting for has finally arrived and more is forecast. Fingers crossed we get enough snow to get the nordic trails open soon. Go to Snow Watch for the latest snow forecast!

Updated touring conditions from Mike Edmondson our local Mountain photographer and Mountain Adventure Centre Guide!

Wednesday 8th July 2010 ” A great Cross Country Ski Tour to Mt. Kosciuszko from Eagles Nest  at the top Thredbo. It was perfect snow & weather. No wind & 20cm of easy turning super light powder. Best slope was the face of Kosciuszko, but 20cm of light untracked powder was everywere! (more…)

Our first guided snowshoe tour went out late last week. Below is a backcountry snow report and some images taken by our guide and local mountain photographer Mike Edmondson! (more…)

When the Winter Olympics were held this year in Whistler, British Columbia the teams experienced conditions that frustrated their professional wax technicians.  Big wet flakes fell on the tracks and the temperatures hovered around zero Celsius.  They gave up on their expensive waxes and resorted to an old solution that has returned to help.

This should bring a wry smile to the faces of skiers here in Australia (more…)