Fri Jul 25 - Sun Jul 27
by David L
This year Beginners' weekend saw 50 people attending.
Saturday's weather was cloudy with a few sunny patchs.
After being woken up at 6:30am by Charmaine's rather successful tactic of turning the lights on, we had breakfast,
and were then briefed on the day's plans.
We divided into four groups: beginners, more advanced beginners, intermediates, and advanced, and were then organised into cars for the trip up the mountain.
The beginners spent the day in the Nordic Bowl area being taught by Jesse and Charmaine.
The slightly more advanced beginners spent some time in the nordic bowl area and then skied around some trails.
The intermediate skiers skied across the dam wall and up to Heathy Spur, where they practiced their skills.
The eight advanced skiers skied across the dam wall, around the dam to Langford Gap then over Basalt Hill, where they had lunch. Peter W and Ben skied the extra half kilometre or so to Wallace hut.
After returning to Windy Corner and checking that everyone was accounted for, it was back down the mountain and into some nice warm showers.
Peter and Melanie made their famous Gluwein, and "Special Milo" containg butterscotch Schnapps.
While we were skiing, Steve H had been busy in the kitchen cooking and carving up the spit-roast lamb, which had been grown and generously donated by a club member.
On Sunday we were allowed to sleep in until 7:00am. Thanks Charmaine!
There had been a few centimetres of fresh snow overnight, and the weather was overcast but not very windy. It even snowed for a while!
There were three groups today: beginners, intermediate and advanced. The latter skied to Mount Mckay, a total distance of approximately 11km.
The intermediate skiers, led by Peter R, skied across the dam wall and up to Heathy Spur, where they practiced their skills.
The beginners, led by Jesse, and assisted by Charmaine, Annie and David, skied across the dam wall, around the dam to Watchbed Creek, had lunch, and skied back to the Nordic Bowl for some slalom practice! About 9km, but mostly flat.
We all returned to Mountain Creek for showers and to collect luggage before heading home.