HelperElfMissy

Sheeeeet! That's a decent amount of time Goz. Good for you!

Have to admit, even *I*, the eternal optimist, won't be booking any further trips unless it snows. I am washing the gear and repacking the bag in readiness, but whether that gets used next week, next month or in December is up to the snow gods.

My bad. Let me fix that for you.

Goz, if the fresh stuff comes and you've camped at Guthega for it...then mate - you deserve the goods! I am far too soft for that

Chicken Wizz

Watched a doco on a qantas flight on Sunday looking at diet changes and rising obesity in Mexico, China and India. Very interesting. Apparently they are seeing exploding rises in the morbidly obese now that they have access to high caloric, nutrient poor snack food. Way worse than western rates due to being genetically programmed for long periods of famine. It was really sad.

Not saying there haven't been disappointing moments/days. But there have been a lot of people who have had some very good days despite the shitty season.

Depends on your expectations Oz.I don't expect hero snow in Australia. If it comes then I'm all smiles. I was stoked on the weekend to get through a gap in tree's with a dodgem of exposed rocks and large area of grass poking through without stacking it - that was a win and clear improvement of my skills. Normally I'd freak out that it wasn't lovely smooth snow in a narrow risky environment and go ass over. 5 minutes later there was just me and 3 mates smashing it down a very fast piste with great snow, all 4 of us experienced overseas skiers and boarders that have thoroughly enjoyed som

Can live in hope Junky! I'll be heading back over some time in August with PB for a quick trip. Be nice if there's some freshies this time. But as long as it is open I am sure we will have fun.

LIKE!!!!!

Just had the weekend at Thredbo and Perisher - base is minimal, on piste in most places is in good condition (especially under the impoverished snow conditions) but heavy wear area's and off the pistes that are covered by snowmakers is very patchy. Still had a ball, but unfortunately there is not much leeway before it gets pretty dodgy/verging on closure of some area's again, and there is a liquid snow event on the way so I believe. Here's hoping it is only prefrontal and is followed up by a big dump to get things back in fine form with some margin for damage control...

Heavy on the big boards there, I reckon you'll narrow that down a touch after riding them. There will be a favourite If you are looking for a chits and giggs board can I recommend you give the Stepchild Jibstick a demo. I gave that a burl (the men's board) for shigs when I was doing demo week in Niseko 2 seasons back in March and had a blast. It is still on my radar to fill that niche. Just haven't been able to justify the quiver when living in Perth. I'm just living vicariously through those who do at the moment

Sounds like Rucky has the makings of a definite quiver... How many boards have you got now RI? Oh..And the Summit was sold in a split as well as standard - seems to me the perfect board for it!

Hey mb I've never used the est's before but from what you and others are saying I may not like - I have yet to try them out. However the idea of being easier/ quicker to adjust binding position / swap bindings to other boards (although the supposed benefit of feeling the snow better would only be recognised by other est boards) is appealing if carrying a quiver but if they dont work so good then I may take the other road and off load the malolo and the est bindings and stick to the extra bolts and base plates. Rucky, I'd be open to hearing others people's experiences and wouldn't damn the

Fair enough. But I'm prepared to give it a crack. And I'm a helluva lot older than you It used to be that I didn't want to waste a day on the snow back on the bunny hill, or risk injuring myself and wiping off a season. But then one day I just thought - stuff it! There are plenty of dodgy snow days when you are stuck lapping the same pistes and it feels a bit like being on a treadmill ... those days are just ripe for adding a new skill. If it takes me a few years, it takes me a few years. I admit I do have the advantage of an instructor on tap. I may fail. But I was convinced

OMG! Those are some UGLY baby shots!

Well...yes

They did.But only recently. Being the first would likely have gone smoothly, but could see the old Monarchy purists sitting down the boozer having a good old 'fancy that...a WOMAN on the throne..' discussions. mighty good of her to avoid that and have a lad

Outside of school holidays it is!!! Just happened to be the last time I was there it was NSW and WA School Hols, and Redlands Cup and Interschools... Was chaos. If snow is on you'd love the run down from The Bluff through Little Beauty. If not they usually get the nice long groomer thing right for Supertrail or High Noon for those on piste carve days. Can't hurt to mix it up (Says she who is actually going to PERISHER on Friday - same reason...mixing it up)

Yep...reckon you need a Thredbo ticket - at least for a little while to break up the boredom. I have to admit to getting 'over it' during school holidays. Crowds, rude people, 'entitlement' attitude, lack of Alpine Code being shown but by far the worst being the fast 'gun' skiers/boarders (I use the term GUN loosely) as they actually don't have the skill or knowledge to moderate their speed and line through area's of packed mixed skill traffic and caused a lot of season ending accidents. Not sure I am all that keen on School Holiday visits to the Snowy's anymore. Still love Aus, desp

is that more about the terrain accessed from the lifts, the insanity of huge impolite queues, or the actual crappiness of many of the lifts themselves? I am guessing the former...

What Fish are you checking out? How much the seller asking? It was the last model before the est and I paid $250. Some SJr's may say that is a lot for an older - 2nd hand board but it was in perfect nick ( ridden 5 times ) and the seller helped heaps with delivery so I didn't mind paying a good price for a pre loved board. Still a bargain compared to mark ups on new one. Curiously, I placed it against the 162 est Malolo just purchased and by eye, couldn't see any difference in the side cut profile but did notice difference in weight.The fish feels more solid / heavier. It will be

and she avoided the potential purist horror of a female with equal succession rights by delivering a boy.

So do it.I bought my first pair of skis this year for the same reason. I am the worlds crappest skier - but give me a few years.... well i should clarify. i wish i could ski as well as i can snowboard which would be 200+ days worth. i have no interest in merely learning to ski groomers/piste, it would purely be to do ski touring/mountaineering stuff which i cant on a board. Well....der.... Cant imagine any other reason a decent boarder would go through the agony of learning to ski properly... I am hoping it is worth it

So do it.I bought my first pair of skis this year for the same reason. I am the worlds crappest skier - but give me a few years....