You could have thought that we were back in winter with overcast skies, fog and the temperature sitting on 2C. First order of the day was to pack everything up and vacate our room. This didn’t take too long and we were soon up on the lift to the top of the mountain.

It was certainly winter conditions with a cold breeze, light snow showers and limited visibility. We decided that we would stick to Highway 83 as it was the best groomed slope and with only about 10 metres visibility, I didn’t want to break something on the last day.

Around midday, the slopes started filling with boarders that must have made their way from Melbourne, so it was time to head back, hand in our skis and pack the car for the long trip home.

Just after 1:20pm, we were on our way for the 12 hour trip and 980 kilometres. Even with a few stops for geocaches along the way, we were making good time, getting into Bendigo still in daylight. I could get used to skiing when there is daylight saving.

All was going well until we hit the Freeway just out of Murray Bridge. With a car on my left, we came around a bend to find a dead roo, smack bang in the middle of my lane. This may not end well. Luckily the Colorado has bash plate extending under the front, so I lined it up dead centre and over we went with the bash plates lifting the car up as we passed over at 110kph.

Everything seemed to be working OK so we continued home, arriving just after 1:00am, a little under 12 hours. Grabbing a torch, I checked under the car and except for a few bits of fur, all looked good.

Thats it for the snow for 2017. The next adventure is to the Trans Australian Railway Centenary and Maralinga, a contrast to the snow of the Victorian High Country.

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No blue skies this morning but overcast and raining with some winds. I guess the dream had to finish at some time. All this did was delay our departure up the mountain as no one likes to ski in the rain.

We made it to the top around 10:20am so only an hour later than normal and luckily the snow had not been effected by this mornings rain. In fact with the lack of sun and a bit of breeze made sure that the snow did not soften. Conditions were good for skiing even though seeing the surface became interesting with the overcast skies.

The rain persisted for another hour and then the sun peeked through for a little while but it was short lived and soon the skies went black, the winds picked up and the temperature dropped. By this time Jenny’s knees were getting sore so once again we were back in the Lodge by 1:00pm.

The weather is apparently going to turn into cold and snowy overnight so our last day may be a more winter ski day than spring.

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We awoke to another glorious day at Falls Creek. The skies were blue, the sun was shining, the temperature was heading to 8C and there was still 1.4 metres of snow.

After eventually venturing from bed we hit the slopes at 9:40am with the sweet spot for the snow being around 10:30am. Too early and it is still icy and then it starts to get soft after that.

The pick of the morning were Main Street and Highway 83 which were holding up well. We ventured over to Ruined Castle but it and Father Fosters was already soft so Scotty’s was the pick over there holding up.

Back to Towers and Nastar and Main Street were still good skiing but unfortunately the ankle was starting to remind me it was fractured 8 weeks ago and Jenny was getting weary. So with the softening snow, we decided to call it a day around 1:00pm and went back to the Lodge.

After some recouping, there was a supermarket calling Jenny down the hill (she can’t help herself). A pleasant walk down through the snow, made some purchases then got to the door service from the Shuttle.

All in all, another day if living the dream.

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Who would have thought that we would be skiing in October in Australia but with 1.5 metres of snow on offer and an extended ski season, who are we to pass up the opportunity.

With my shifts finishing on Sunday morning and getting a couple of days Long Service Leave, it gave a 6 day break, enough time to drive over to Falls Creek, ski four days and drive home before heading back to work for my two night shifts.

It was going to be a little iffy, having fractured my ankle 8 weeks ago, the doctor and physio saying it wasn’t advisable to go skiing but with 1.5 metres of snow, there was no way we were going to miss it.

Leaving home yesterday morning at 6:45 am, we drove pretty well all day except for a few stops for geocaches, arriving just under 12 hours and 980 kilometres later at Schuss Lodge. It was strange arriving still in daylight but daylight saving started yesterday to our advantage. The roads at Falls Creek had only just been cleared of snow so we could drive straight to the Lodge.

I was a little bit weary after driving for 12 hours so it didn’t take long to fall asleep, waking up at 8:00am to a glorious day in the snow.

A quick walk down to the ski hire shop and we were soon on the slopes with blue skies, sunshine and 10C, great spring skiing weather.

The pick of the runs in the morning was Highway 83, then headed over to Ruined Castle as the snow softened but Scotty’s was the best option and when it was really soft, it was back to the Nastar Race Course. We stayed out for 3.5 hours covering 37 kilometres, but my ankle was starting to get achy and Jenny’s legs were getting sore so back to the Lodge at 2:00pm.

A geocaching friend back in Adelaide commented on our photos, mentioning that his brother were in the snow as well. What would the chances that they are staying in the same Lodge. With the Adelaide Effect, it is probably 100% and sure it was. We caught up this afternoon. Adelaide is definitely a small city where everyone knows someone.

It didn’t take long for the aches and pains to disappear with the help of some medicinal beverages 😉

Looking forward to another great days skiing tomorrow.

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