COUNTDOWN TO WINTER – Top 5 Things to Look Forward to this Winter

May 23rd, 2013

Mountainwatch | Countdown To Winter

Winter is just around the corner! Over the next three weeks we’ll be keeping the content flowing to stimulate your stoke in the lead up to winter 2013. Expect the latest photos and news about snowfall and weather, what’s happening at the resorts, snowmaking, photos plus all the best new gear and travel info to keep you in the loop. The air is getting colder, the days are getting shorter; winter is coming…

Here at Mountainwatch HQ the anticipation is palpable, we are checking the cams 10 times a day, literally waiting on each model update as it happens and constantly checking the charts.

With under two weeks till opening day we asked around the office to see what the crew are looking forward to most about winter 2013.

Top 5 Things to Look Forward to this Winter

In no particular order…

Alex Cameron, Editor, Transfer Snowboard Magazine

1. Riding powder at Thredbo

2. Anything to do with Charles Beckinsale

3. The new Front Valley jump line at Perisher

4. Rails in the rain = no lift lines!

5. Seeing all the rude heads at the Banjo

Alex Horvath, Editor, Mountainwatch.com, Assistant Editor, Transfer Snowboard Magazine

1. Digging out the car:

“What says “I just had a sick day shredding” better than getting back to your car and having to break out the shovel to get out of the carpark. I’ll be crossing my fingers and hoping for that to happen as many times this season as it did last August!”

2. Road trips out of the city

“The fact our mountains are so far away from urban centres means we spend a lot of time on the road. The best part of the drive for me is always rolling along those mountain roads as the early morning sun begins to break over the horizon! Nothing beats dawn in Australia’s alpine country.”

3. Beers at the River Inn, Thredbo

“Live music, German beer, Lederhosen, what’s not to like?”

4. Lake Jindabyne

“Coming over that hill into East Jindy is always the best part of the drive, I am looking forward to sunny afternoon BBQ’s by the lake after some sick days shredding!”

5. Getting out of the resort

“This season is going to be all about the backcountry. I have so many great trips planned and can’t wait to get out there!”

Reggae Elliss, Editor, Chillfactor Ski Magazine

1. Cold, howling wind-blown powder days in Thredbo

2. The first blizzard

3. Early season turns on cold clear mornings

4. Getting up at 5.30am every morning to do MW snow reports!!

5. The Wallabies beating the British Lions

Chris Booth, Pro Skier, Associate Editor, Chillfactor Ski Magazine

1. The weekly escape from Sydney.

“The snowy mountains are an opportunity to just put down whatever you’re doing and walk away. Recently I have come to realise that I don’t just like this, I need this.”

2. Ski touring with Sophie.

“Our highcountry is unique to anywhere in the world. The skiing is really good too.”

3. Getting into weather forecasts.

“At any other time of the year I don’t really give a shit, but from June to September I check the charts daily.”

3. Red wine.

“Oh man, its just so good.”

5. The snowy mountains social network.

“Lots of really nice people go skiing, and every year I get to see them.”

The Grasshopper’s Daily snow forecasts will return Monday 27 May for 2013. In the meantime read the latest season outlooks – Australia and New Zealand.

Save the date:

  • The Eager Beaver Rail Jam Thursday 6 June – will be hitting the beachside town of Manly, some of Australia’s best rail riders will be battling it out inside the Hotel Steyne for a cash prize purse of $5000. More info here
  • Snow Travel Expo 2013 returns to inspire snow lover’s passion for travel, over 50 of the world’s top ski resorts will be coming to Sydney (May 26) and Melbourne (May 19) to help you plan your next adventure. More info here

Perisher forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Falls Creek forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Mount Buller forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Charlotte Pass forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Hotham forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Thredbo forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.