It just keeps getting better

Monday 19th of October

I had planned on getting up the hill on Sunday but the weather had turned to poop and Turoa was closed. I had taken Monday off so Murphy and I headed up to the hill starting out at 6:25am. We got the auto txt at 06:45 telling us that the Mt was open and conditions were good. Another Bluebird day on the way!

Pulling into the carpark at 10:15 we were greeted with a light breeze and clearing skys. 4 rows from the front meant a crowdless day and 2cm of fresh snow over night meant Freshies for all.

We started out taking our normal route up the Movenpick, skate across and behind the High Noon and down the Boneyard. The top of the Boneyard had these weird snow rocks that was like riding over marbles. You had to commit yourself to just riding through them at speed but Murf was struggling and took a nasty fall on his toe edge, throwing him over the highside into a cartwheel. No damage to the body but confidence was shattered. I however found my confidence was soaring as I carved my way down the boneyard, flicking it left and right with ease.

Then it was up the Giant for 5 runs down the Why Not. It was lovely and soft and I found some fresh snow just to the left of the Jumbo T. My first true Fresh Tracks and I slashed my way through there, using the exposed rocks as a slalom course. I was also searching out small lips and rises to bounce off doing forehand slashes that were like surfing on a twin fin!

Last Sunday was the best snow condition I have ever had but today was the best I have ridden and only my low on confidence son was holding me back.

As the sun worked on the hardpack we decided to take a run down the upper freeway which had some uncharted snow to the right just beforfe the High Noon. The snow had released and this run was a flat out racetrack. Skipping around the High Noon and back down the Boneyarrd I had a smile a mile wide. Murphy too was feeling better by this time and wasn't too far behind me. We found freshies on either side of the groomies and just seemed I could go as fast as I dared. Very few people were zooming past me and I really felt I was now in full control.

If the season was to end here I would hang up my board until July next year and live on the last 2 days at Turoa. BUT with 3 weeks still to go I can see at least another 3 days at Ruapehu.

Monday with #2 offspring is now planned. It won't be a day I will get to make many turns but I want one more day on my own before season end.