Your weekly ski and snowboard roundup.

FIRST TRACKS

Three words: snow, snow and snow. It’s coming in time for the weekend and is enough to take the focus off the Kiwis for once this year!

There are conflicting reports about how much and just how long it will last but “plenty” and “days” seem to be safe enough answers. Using chains is likely a must in the NSW and Victoria fields, and perhaps quite a distance out from the resorts themselves, with the snow expected to fall to low levels as the weekend progresses.

Know how to fit them, leave plenty of time and be careful on the roads.

UNDER THE GUNS

There’s been the unwanted record this season – the worst start to a season for natural snow since figures were logged – but there’s also been another more positive one in regards to snowmaking.

Thredbo reports that it has had its biggest June on record for creating the white stuff, and The Snow Gauge can attest to that having ridden it earlier in the week. Being able to make turns all the way down the 3km High Noon Supertrail on almost entirely man-made snow is quite the feat.

And it wasn’t just a goat track but cover side to side as well as top to bottom. Similarly, Perisher managed to get 29 runs going for punters over the past week. It wasn’t always pretty – some long lines with school holidays, coupled with various school races did test the patience at times and if you hadn’t booked it wasn’t the time to make a snap decision to head to the slopes.

But the snowmakers, like the old Meadow Lee ad said, oughta be congratulated.

TOP GEAR

Tuning in: Good gear deserves good treatment and one of the big things skiers tend to forget about is getting their skis tuned, or at least often enough. Getting edges sharpened, having the skis waxed and getting a base-grind to smooth out the surface can make a huge difference, particularly in Australia where conditions can be so variable.

“It amazes me what people will ski on,” says Shane Burdett from The Racer’s Edge in Jindabyne.

“But if you get your skis tuned regularly, you will have a better day’s skiing, it’s as simple as that.”

Unless you are skiing fluffy powder and corduroy groomers Shane recommends waxing for every trip and a full tune every other time. While that is mostly left for the pros, carrying a diamond stone file to run over your ski edge to get rid of burrs, is a cheap and easy thing anyone can do.

And make sure to store your planks properly between uses. “Always have a storage wax on the skis – it keeps the base hydrated and the edges clean,” Shane says. Web: www.theracersedge.com.au

DEALING WITH IT

Methven, about 90km from Christchurch is greatly underestimated as a base, and given you can fairly readily get cheap airfares from Australia’s east coast to the South Island capital, you can access the likes of Mt Hutt (30 minutes’ drive) and then move onto Porters and the clubfields.

We reckon it’s worth a visit, particularly in current conditions. The Snow Gauge can solidly vouch for Ski Time, which has a great bar and restaurant and can sneak two people in from as little as $120 a night with a light breakfast.

If only Jindabyne could come up with something as good and cheap! Web: www.skitime.co.nz.

CONDITIONS APPLY – WITH WEATHER GURU PETE `THE FROG’ TAYLOR

It’s a case of Friday on their minds for Aussie skiers and snowboarders as a long-overdue snow-bearing system looks set to deliver.

The last day of the working week is set to be a teaser, according to The Frog with up to 8cm falling before a second front moves through on Saturday. From there about 20cm over each of the next three days looks possible.

“Some resorts will get more than others,” says The Frog, who feels the southerly Victorian resorts such as Mt Baw Baw might do particularly well. Given forecasters are a conservative lot, he won’t rule out the prospect of bigger falls then predicted.

A small word of caution is the potential return of the dreaded blocking high for a week or two after that. At this stage the jury is still out on whether they will come to fruition and push any storms underneath Australia.

You probably guessed the flipside already though – if it plays out, New Zealand will likely get some more love. Already enjoying a sensational season start, the land of the long white ski resorts gets a rest over the next few days as the Australian alps get pounded but should be hit again if we miss out. At least there’ll be fresh snow somewhere.

Mt BawBaw looking fresh

LAST RESORT – A LOOK AT AUSTRALASIA’S FORGOTTEN ALPINE AREAS

Mt Baw Baw: The closest ski resort to Melbourne, Baw Baw can be reached in a little over two hours from the city’s east. There are 35 hectares of terrain, seven lifts, 17 runs and two snow play areas.

The vertical drop is only 104 metres, with a longest run of 750m meaning a week would be a stretch for anyone other than beginners – the snow, too, is an issue given the peak is at just 1564 metres.

But with on-snow accommodation and the gamut of services available it makes a nice stepping stone to the likes of Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham. The prices are also far friendlier (adult day passes from $50 midweek) and there’s a strong emphasis on alternative snow activities such as sled dog tours and snow shoeing.

Now relying on man-made snow, like the other Australian resorts, Baw Baw should pick up markedly conditions-wise by mid next week. Web: www.mountbawbaw.com.au

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