Labour Weekend Bluebirds and a stolen stick.

Sunday 25th October

Day 12 on the Mountain for the session. Hauled both kids out of bed at 05:30am to be in the Turoa carpark by 09.20am. Was meeting Gareth at the Alpine Meadow who was there with his 2 kids with a day of tag team planned so we could all make the most conditions. I had booked a next step lesson for my daughter at 12:00 which coincided nicely with Gareth who also had a 12 oclock lesson from the top of the Movenpick. So Murphy and I headed straight up the Movenpick which stopped at least 5 times on the way up, once for as long as 5 minutes! Finally at the top we skated behind the High Noon and headed down the Boneyard. The snow was softening up by now and I found a sweet spot on the eastern side of the boneyard, along the bowl wall. It was like riding a frozen wave enabling me to do forehand bottom turns and slashes all the way along. One of my best runs yet through there with Murphy carving nicely and not far behind at all. There was a bit of a wait at the Giant but soon enough we were unloading and heading down the Why Not. Again, the snow condition was nice and buttery as we carved our way all the way back to the base area. Through Clarrys Track I looked for any mogul or frozen lip I could slash off. Was sick!

A quick bit to eat and Gareth was off for his lesson and I organised Floss and Erin for theres. Their instructor - Matt was awesome and had them all turning and sliding down the AM like pros. I sent Murphy up the hill to do a further run while I waited for Gareth, who turned up 5 minutes later. So off I went hoping to catch up with Murf.

I travelled up the 'Pick' with a father and daughter combo but didn't see Murphy anywhere so I decided to do the standard Boneyard down to the Giant run. The daughter of the combo - Abby was quite a character and as I was seeking out my frozen wall on the boneyard she appears whooping it up. I decide I'd better make my turns fast so as not to hold her up but it didn't seem to matter how quick I was everytime I looked back she was there grinning away.

At the Giant chair Abby asked me where I was going to next as we boarded. I explained I'd be heading down the Why Not / Boneyard and Clarrys back to the base area. She agreed this was the run and that she would follow me down. So once again I was faced with trying to carve as fast as I could with a grinning 8 yo skier glued to my path. I actually did pretty well and steamed down the WN and Boneyard but she was always there pushing me and then she zipped away from me down Clarrys track.

And that was Sunday! Gareth headed up for one more run and I spent way to much on food for the grommets at the base cafe. But everyone was stoked.

Monday 26th October (Day 13)


Monday was forecast to a bit ave but dawned clear and blue with only a wisp of cloud hanging around the Mountain. I had the kids changed, the car packed and we were heading for 'Kune just after 7.30am and into the carpark and changed ready to go by 8:45. The Alpine Meadow magic carpet was running so we were off.

This was Florence's first time on a fast icy run since her second day on the snow and although it required a good 'pizza' all the way down she didn't fall and raced to the bottom. There was enough firmness to the snow that I was able to slide down with her, practising my carves and turns. I was actually a little casual and caught an edge on one run that biffed me into the ice. Ouch!!! No respect got me no respect. Note to self ... if its icy don't act the fool!

We waited for Gareth to appear so he good baby sit the kids and Murf and I headed up the Pick for the standard run down to the Giant. It was pretty slick and icy but still heaps of fun as we raced down the Boneyard and Why Nots.

After returning to the base area and enjoying a cup of hot chips from the cafe Gareth and I were set to do a couple of trails together but holy shit ... someone had taken my board! I had put both Murphy's and my board on a rack andyet only one remained. I was spewing!!! In the end had to hire a board so decided to try out a 155 which turned out to be fat and heavy. The extra length was nice and stable in a straight line but harder to turn and the edge just didn't seem to bite in like my 150. It also seemed to want to flick out with the tail rather than holding an edge. After 2 runs i'd had enough and headed back to the base area thinking of the insurance forms I would need to fill in.

We left at 2.30 and i decided to have one last look through the racks and wtf do you know there was my stick sitting on a rack. I never thought I be so pleased to see her again and i was glad to hand back the hire board. Thankfully with my returned board the long weekend was a success. Florence must have done 60 trips up and down the Alpine Meadow and she shed a few tears coz she just didn't want to leave.