Mt Perisher To Open Tomorrow

The snow that has fallen this week has made a huge difference. The valley looking fantastic as I walked up the hill tonight.

Snow is falling as I type, and the guns are also pumping.

Mt Perisher is set to open tomorrow which pretty much means all the resort areas are open.

The pic was snapped today from a Qantas plane at 10,000m. You can see the range, fully covered in snow with Lake Jindabyne at the front. You can see the Jindabyne township.

Blizzard Conditions

Full on blizzard conditions have produced 20-30cm of new snow.

If you are heading down, take care when driving as there is reportedly snow and ice on the road between Canberra and Cooma!

Stay tuned for a pic as soon as I can get my hands on one.

Conditions are starting to look great for the coming season, and the Illabunda kids down for Junior training next week should have a fantastic time!

Try Something Different This Winter - Go Snow Shoeing

Heading out onto the slopes these days can be a hectic affair. Snowshoeing offers you a slower paced way to enjoy the high country, and can take you far away from the noisy slopes.

A few Illabunda members, guests, and our manager Luanne have been seen enjoying this great sport over this and the last few seasons. If you are keen to give it a go too, you can hire a pair of snowshoes from one of the local outdoor stores, who can also offer guided tours at various places around the snowy mountains.

Not only is it a great way to take in the scenery, it is great exercise too! Comfortable and waterproof footwear is probably the most important piece of clothing you will need, but wearing a few layers is the way to go. So you can layer up or layer down depending on your temperature. Take your stocks with you as these really help with balance.

Most importantly, let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Have fun!

A Message From The Booking Officer

Hi Members and friends of Illabunda,

A couple of beds have become available in the week commencing 15th July2007.

With what is probably the best start to the snow season in a decade, you would kick yourself if you did not avail yourself of this opportunity to give the slopes a burn during that week!

Check the website at http://www.illabunda.com.au/forms/CHART.htm for other vacancies as they are fast disappearing.

RegardsLeo

Déjà vu?

If you walked into the Illabunda lounge room this afternoon, you'd be forgiven if you thought you were experiencing Déjà vu? Here is what you would have seen...

Jochen & Suzette have turned the tables and are having a holiday at Illabunda for the next few days.

Both are well, and looked to be having a great afternoon relaxing in the lodge.

Blue Cow

Blue Cow today! Pretty good for the end of June.

Weekend Update

Fantastic skiing today!! The resort has really opened up this weekend, with lifts working in Perisher, Guthega, Blue Cow and Smiggins.

The skiing on some slopes was as good as on any day!

The Forrester Quad opened to top station for the first time this season, opening up a huge amount of terrain.

I haven't ventured over to Blue Cow yet, but from all reports it is pretty good over there.

Mt P is yet to open, but a bunch of us ventured over there including Louie, our lodge manager. Here is a pic of her heading up to the top on snowshoes.

It will only take one more decent snowfall for Mt P to open.

The whole resort is really looking like winter and this is a fantastic start to season 2007.

Dinner tonight started with Quesadillas which were delicious. You are in for a real treat when you experience the cooking of our new managers.

Interesting Perisher History

One of the first ski lifts in the Perisher region was right near Illabunda.

Johnny Abbottsmith placed a small portable rope tow in the gully near our lodge, running up to where Snow Revellers Lodge is. That would have to be the gully in the pic below - you can see the current Telemark lift.

I'm guessing it was there in the early 50s. Anyone know for sure? Leave a comment if you do.

10cm More!

10cm more fresh snow fell overnight, so this storm has been just what was needed. It has left Mt P looking pretty tasty. Here is a pic from last weekend

And here is a pic from this morning - slightly different angle, but you can see the difference.

Will you be missing your chance to get some skiing in this weekend? Can't believe there isn't a ski or board track down Towers yet............

Blue Cow & Smiggins To Open

Perisher Blue has announced that Blue Cow and Smiggins will open this Friday thanks to the 30cm or so of snow that has fallen over the last 24hrs.

This means more terrain, and more reason to get to the mountains and enjoy the skiing and boarding!

Snow!

Snow has been falling heavily today since about 8am, delivering at least 10cm of new snow.

Some forecasters are calling for another 40-50cm over the next couple of days, so this weekend could be EPIC! With heaps of beds available at Illabunda this weekend, it is the perfect time to grab some friends and go to the mountains to enjoy the new snow!

Illabunda Trivia

Does anybody recognise the area in this photo? Post your answer by leaving a comment.

Click the pic if you need a closer look!

We have a Winner!!! Ian Gracie has correctly identified this as the site of the old Illabunda, in Wilsons Valley, just below Rennix Gap.

Weekend Update

The snowfalls over the last few days have changed the look of Perisher quite a bit. With the natural snow along with snowmaking, front valley is now full width.

Today has been warm and the snow a little wet, but the skiing has still been ok, with lots of skiers getting out, including all the Illabunda guests.

A little bit more snow is still needed to get Telemark lift up and running as you can see below, so a short walk is needed from Illabunda to get to the slopes. With some careful skiing down the road, it is possible to ski back to the lodge.

It was overcast and misty this morning, but the weather has mostly cleared and it looks like being a nice afternoon.

Don't think it will be too long before Blue Cow is open.

Osso Bucco is just part of the tasty lineup the managers have in store for dinner tonight - can't wait!

10cm Of Snow

The overnight falls have brought 10cm of new snow onto the slopes around Illabunda.

Some warmer temperatures early this morning have compressed that a bit, which is ideal for this time of year as it helps to form a more solid base.

Scattered snow falls above 1400m have been forecast for today.

Snowing Heavily!

A report has just come in from Perisher - it is snowing heavily @ -1 degree. Sorry about the picture quality, it was taken out the window of the Illabunda dining room on a phone! Can't wait to see the result of this fall.

A Full Day Of Snowmaking Has Made Quite A Difference!

What Is New In The Lodge?

It is always exciting to discover new things at Illabunda each season during your stay, here are a couple of things I found last weekend:


This great book on Kiandra has some amazing stories of the old gold mining days and the early days of skiing in Australia. I'm not sure if it was donated, or if the club purchased it, but either way it is a great read - check it out!





Perhaps not all that exciting, but new just the
same!

New door handles on the bedrooms and bathrooms! Well done to all the members and friends who took part in working bees over the summer - Thank You!

A Cold Day In The Mountains

A good day for snowmaking down in Perisher Blue today - the temperature only getting above zero for a short time this afternoon. The man made snow will top up the cover on front valley, but a few good natural falls are needed to get Mt P up and running.

Opening Weekend Update

Louie and Matt, the new Illabunda managers, have kicked off the season by doing a fantastic job.

The food is FABULOUS! Here is the menu for Sunday night dinner.....

Early season Illabunda guests have had a great time enjoying the skiing on Front Valley. Mitchell T, the Village 8 and a couple of magic carpets are running.

The weather on Saturday was a little wet and nasty, but as you can see above and below - the weather today is super!

Everyone from Illabunda got out to enjoy the alpine environment, either skiing, boarding or walking and enjoying the scenery. But time spent relaxing in the lodge is also a great way to enjoy your break from everyday life.

With some weather on the way, hopefully more snow will soon be on the ground!