Hit me baby one more time

During the week, as well as suffering some ill effects of, well, being ill, I watched the 2 World cup Semi final 2nd halves (at 6am) and was looking forward to the Italy V France finale on Monday morning. Sadly it was to be shown at possibly the worst hour of all. 4am.

In the mean time Mitzi and myself boarded a bus from Central station on Friday night, destination: Lake Jindabyne. It was April 05 that I last strapped on a snowboard and I could barely wait to get going after such a long layoff. This would also be the first time in a very long time I’d have to suffer hire gear. Luckily I got some reasonable stuff which aside from the board & bindings, was all brand new with no sweaty remains of anyone else left over.

The journey was around 6hours but was nice and easy with movies all the way. After a sleep and some fried brekkie, the bus was headed to Thredbo. As we rose up in altitude, it took quite a while till the first snow sighting, though on arrival at the resort, the main runs seemed well covered. Indeed my first few were really enjoyable until I ventured away from the Gunbarrel lift and found quite a few muddy, gravely and icy patches. Luckily today was the first day of the season that the highly elevated Basin section was open. I was able to get some first tracks on some crusty untouched snow.

My first day back on snow in 15months was a little trying at times, my usual ability seemed lost, though I still managed a few small kickers and a few slides along a funbox. With blue skies and warm sunshine I was able to ride at times, with just my T-shirt on. Sick.

Most Ozzies had warned me not to expect much of their snow resorts compared with European and American destinations, which I think was good as my expectations were originally low. My opinion was higher at the end of the day, I’ve ridden smaller resorts in California and if Thredbo had a decent snowfall on it, there would be some really great runs. It was completely surreal sat on a chairlift with a snowboard strapped on after spending the days previous in an office in Sydney city. Also quite strange, was the lack of regular Alpine landmarks; gum trees replacing the pine trees and rocks & bush in place of the usual rugged grey rocks of the Alps.

As the sun set, the après began. Back in the Snowy Valley resort we were treated to a live band – fine in my book doing a fine cover of the Verves Lucky Man. After seeing a dog getting served at the bar, I decided that I must’ve drank too much so hit the hay.

The following Sunday morning, we were dropped off at the Ski-Tube station for Perisher Blue. Within a short while, the train had taken us through the mountain and into the Perisher resort; Australias largest ski resort. The guide had suggested the cover wasn't as good at Perisher, which was contrary to 3 other peoples opinion so we weren't too sure what to expect. But a great snow cover was ready and waiting; not just the runs but the surrounding scenery too. The sky was blue, but the temperature much colder.

We spent the morning on the Perisher Blue mountain where there are some wide open runs great for finding your snow feet and also some narrower paths through the trees and along tight banking turns. I was already enjoying Perisher more than Thredbo (although my riding was markedly improved over the previous days which would have had lots to do with that).

Another trip on the Ski-Tube and we arrived at Blue-Cow, one of the other mountains at Perisher Blue. Here there was not so much choice in runs, however there was a really good challenging steep run (that didn't have death-ice all over it) that I had a few goes on.

After a Roast lunch, I spent the afternoon gunning it down the runs at Blue Cow and was more than a little sad when we had to jump on the train back to the car park.

As we headed back to Sydney, I was left to think about the Oz resorts in general. Although not as big as most in the world, there is definitely a great experience to be had there, especially after some new snowfall - and later in the season when the terrain parks are fully built.

A little physically exhausted, I managed to get up for most of the world cup final, and after an entertaining enough game; I can admit as far as the early mornings go - I'm glad it's over. Congrats to Italy.