Late Season Boarding – A Guide to Getting It in October
Don’t call it a comeback, the riding season hasn’t left us yet and The Ramshead Peaks are firing. Image:: Aedan O’Donnel
Transfer | Louis Macindoe
Well isn’t that funny? It’s the 6th of October and this month might just be the gift that keeps on giving. Take a quick scan of the cams and you’ll see what I mean. All Australian resorts have now terminated their winter operations but under blue Spring skies, a healthy cover of snow still remains and conditions look like early august all over again.
For snow-lovers and fun-havers this scenario is akin to receiving that electronic gizmo on Christmas Day. It’s a joyous gift which remains pretty well useless until you obtain some batteries. But we’re not talking about batteries here, we’re talking about Boarding, and it’s going to require a little more effort than usual to take advantage of those recent snowfalls this late into Spring.
It’s hard to believe but check the cams, we’re not bluffing. Image:: Steve Griffis
Strict staffing and operation regimes at resorts mean almost zero flexibility when it comes to late season snowfalls, and even in the instance of a major top-up – they can’t keep things running any longer. Say what you will on the message boards, but I’d suggest you save that energy and take full advantage of the still semi-decent to good conditions out in the backcountry.
No matter which way you want to approach riding this late in the season, you’ll have to be prepared to hike. One of the most common gateways into the Australian Backcountry is passing through the Guthega Trig. On any given day throughout the season you can observe schools of Skier’s and Boarders skinning, snowshoeing or hiking out over the Dam wall and into the vast array of terrain that presents itself just outside of resort boundaries. Whatever your vehicle of choice from here you can access all of the 5 prominent peaks of the NSW backcountry; Carruthers Peak, Little Twynam, Mt Twynam, Mt Townsend and Kozi.
What’s stopping you? Get out there on foot and find that Spring pow. Image:: Aedan O’Donnel
Ok, admittingly I may have jumped the gun a little implying that all resorts had ceased operations for the year in relation to assisting Snowboarders and Skiers get up that mountain. There’s one resort that operates 365 days a year; Thredbo. This year-round operation doesn’t just mean the Village Bakery and Rec Centre is all that’s open at this time, rather it implies that the Resort itself is in full swing no matter the season or month.
Both the Snowgums double chair and Kosciusko Express chair are open year round.
Snowgum’s is a little more intermittent that Kozi, which operates each day regardless of season. It also fast-tracks that accent into the Backcountry, spitting you out just below 2000 metres above sea level – which is three footy fields more than the Guthega car park. That’s a decent shortcut and from here you can walk up and out into the main range and access the same fruits as you would from Guthega along with lots of other zones on the way that are sure to be still worthy of a ride after the recent helpings of snow.
The most popular mission from Thredbo would be the hike out to the Mt Kosciusko cornice. The Eastern face of the cornice is usually rideable into November and has seen many late spring sessions in its time. Blue Lake is another popular destination accessed via Thredbo and is sure to still have a few more decent turns left in it at this time.
The beauty about the Aussie backcountry is its accessibility, Kozi can be toured in a day, riding and all. Given the current conditions right now, you don’t need to venture all that far with decent and rideable snow pack only a short hike away. Remember, riding inside the resort boundaries is not permitted now that the Skiing season has finished. Those who do choose to venture out to one of the 5 peaks or zones beyond the parameters of the resort are going to be rewarded with some of the best late Spring conditions we’ve had in a long time. If you’re planning on doing this, it’s time to up the preparations beyond just sticking a few muesli bars in your pockets.
Matt Deck of The Sentinal Boardstore camping out yesterday during some wild weather in the Twynam region, be prepared for the worst! Image:: Aedan O’Donnel
Our backcountry is easily accessible, yes. And granted this time of year we do tend to think that we’ll be immune to the inclement weather of Winter. But shit hits the fan even at this time of the year and with the winter-like conditions right now – expect it. Plenty of people have gotten lost and in some cases perished in the backcountry in Summer let alone this time of year here in Oz, so even a late spring mission is not to be scoffed at when it comes to backcountry safety.
The in’s and out’s of backcountry travel have well and truly been covered, and should be known to anyone that’s thinking of heading out. A simple search of the Interweb, this site included will provide you with a flurry of information about the do’s and don’t, conditions, occurrences and ways to prepare before getting out in the Australian Backcountry. However, this is in your hands and how far you want to venture out is up to you. Right now, there’s still some great snow to be accessed pretty close to the car parks of the said Thredbo and Guthega regions.
Dead Horse is up for grabs. Image:: Aedan O’Donnel
A popular winter run that requires some rope ducking is out at Dead Horse Gap. By taking Thredbo’s Kozi chair and hiking out above Karels T-bar and following the ridges right, above this is the peaks of Ramshead Range – the chutes here are still well and truly rideable. On a side-note by ‘rideable’ I don’t mean frog-hopping from each lilly-pad of slush but genuinely hooking in a decent turn that throws a little roost. And following the recent storms which delivered 60cm-or-more, all of this terrain is still in good shape and worth the walk if you’re looking to get even with the season. After all, how often can you still score this late in the ‘Lucky Country’.
Matt Deck splitting up a very Wintery Looking Dead Horse Gap on Tuesday. Image:: Steve Griffis
THE LOWDOWN – the when and what’s
WHEN TO GO Pick up that phone, ring your boss and tell him that lunch banquet he bought for the whole office is striking back on your insides. He won’t ask questions, now run to your car and start driving because these conditions won’t hang around forever.
WHAT TO BRING If you’re planning on just attacking the slackcountry ie: Guthega Trig and sessioning the slopes outside resort boundaries, you can get away with your resort kit. This is a muesli bars in pockets type operation. If you’re planning on venturing a little further, it’d be wise to pack your backcountry kit even if you’re not intending on spending the night out there.
WHO TO BRING Unless your kids are adventurist, in Scouts or have a genuine love for ‘earning their turns’ then leave them at home with their devices. This type of riding is best done with either your best boarding buddy or alone for some ‘you-time’.
WHERE TO GO Thredbo is the easiest option, Guthega is straight forward too. In Victoria, both Mt Bogong and Mt Feathertop can also be accessed with relative ease but approach with the same mindset as hiking out to Kozi, even if you’re going for the day – pack for the worst case scenario.
Not your average spring conditions, Steve Griffis and Co don’t care though. Image:: Steve Griffis
OUR KIT – what we’re bringing
EXPERIENCE You might be mistaken in thinking that the internet is sufficient for BC advice, but we’d recommend that you speak to an experienced head before going too far. Our buddy Matt Deck at The Sentinal Boardshop know’s the backcountry like his backyard, that’s because it is. ‘Decko’ spends more time out there than a parks ranger and knows the conditions and terrain better than most.
EQUIPMENT The Transfer staff are a divided bunch, some ride splitboards others are happy to snow-shoe or boot pack. It’s all about finding what works for you and this time of year is perfect for experiments. Local boardstores like First Tracks in Jindabyne are dishing out the deals and can hook you with a killer splitboard deal if your legs get too tired from hiking.
OUR PASS Okay, We’ve been fair skyting about Thredbo’s year-round lift access but it’s damn handy. With the 365 pass, you not only get to ride the resort in the winter but get all the summer benefits too; Mountainbiking, hiking, swimming, skating, slicing golf balls into the shrub. Honestly, at $859 it’s good value and the place is equally as magical in the summer as it is in the winter. The added benefit of the pass is you get heavily subsidised passes at resorts like Whistler and Aspen. Get yours here
Surf the earth until all the snow is gone then run to the sea. Image:: Aedan O’Donnel
All the ingredients you need for one last hurrah! Image:: Richie Carrol
Thredbo forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.
