And it just keeps snowing

That’s right, late August 2010, and we have had constant snowfalls for nearly 2 weeks now, potentially making this September one of the best skiing months in recent years.

Snow at the Woolshed

Last night it snowed all the way down to Lake Jindabyne so the ski fields must have received a lot of dry snow.

Out at Snowy Wilderness we continue to get good precipitation, sometimes snow, more often rain showers. All the creeks are running strongly and the dams as full as I have seen them.

Justin going past Ramshead on the way to Koskiuszko

The views from our high acres are stunning with Mt Koskiuszko shining white with masses of snow. I cannot wait for my annual pilgrimage to the top to ski down our highest mountain and have fun in the main range. Anyone wanting to join me are welcome, we use skins on downhill ski’s all of which you can hire if you do not have the gear. Just call me on 1800 218 171 if you are interested…… bye for now

Snowing at last!!!

The 2nd of August 2010 and we are finally getting real snow. Perisher has reported 55cms and still going strong. It’s been snowing all day at the Wool Shed/Reception. August and early September look like being really good now and we are being swamped with bookings, so get on the website www.snowywilderness.com.au and get your accommodation secured.

Winter at the Woolshed

A new Horse Ride

We have recently designed a new horse ride called the “Drop Off Horse Trek”. It is only for experienced and confident horse riders as it will be challenging, riding through some of Australia’s best high country.

The concept is we will drop you off in the wilderness with your Snowy Wilderness guide/s and you will have to find your way back to the Snowy Wilderness reception. There will be secreted base camp spots that you will have to locate in order to easily establish camp and enjoy the usual standard of Snowy Wilderness fare.

We estimate that it will take you 3 days of riding to complete the trek. Along the way you will experience the best the High Country has to throw at you with scenery and views to die for.

The first of the Drop Off Rides is scheduled for March 12, 2011 which happens to be a bank holiday weekend for Victoria. So come and join this challenging horse trek, you only live once!!

High country riders in the wilderness

First Snowfall at Snowy Wilderness this year

During the night of Wednesday June 9 we received about 25mm of snow which stayed on the ground until late in the day due to very low temperatures even though it was bright and shiny during most of the day. We received more than most as the weather pattern was coming from the south west which is best for the Snowy Wilderness area.

This photo is from a snow fall last year

This morning (Friday) the Homestead pond was frozen on the top as temperatures were well below zero during the night. When the ducks come into land they get very surprised as they slide across the top of the pond.

This weekend is the start of the ski season up in the resorts, and Perisher has opened today due to the large amount of snow making they have been able to generate due to the low temperatures. Perisher are also having a big music festival over the weekend so plenty happoening on the mountain.

Snowy Wilderness is well booked for the weekend with plenty of horse riding, quad biking, and fly fishing happening so if any of you are thinking about coming up to the Snowy Mountains we still have one 2 br High Country Lodge available which we have on a special price of $290 per night.

If we don’t see you this weekend, try to make it sometime during the winter, as you all know, we operate every day snow, rain, or shine.

Aeropelican Regular Flights, Sydney to Cooma to start this month of June 2010

Yes, we finally have a regular commercial airline flying into Cooma from Sydney and not just for winter, it is all year round. Commencing on June 11 2010 Aeropelican have committed to regular flights from Sydney to Cooma airport and this is great news for the Snowy Mountains.

Being a pilot myself and having commuted from Sydney to Cooma almost every week for the last 8 years in our own aeroplane, I know what this means to the community, local business and the owners of the Snowy Mountains-Cooma airport. It is also a major convenience for those travellers and tourists who do not want to make the 6 hour journey from Sydney by car.

Our own Whisky Zulu Zulu on the tarmac at Cooma

For those of you not familiar with Aeropelican, they have been operating for decades now, mainly from the Hunter/Newcastle region. I used to fly regularly with them from Sydney to Newcastle in the early 1980’s, in fact, I was on one of their flights when our lovely daughter Rebecca (Bec) was born, but that is another story!!

Anyway, congratulations to Aeropelican and welcome to our beautiful Snowy Mountains.

Wollondibby Ride, April 2010

We just completed our 2nd Wollondibby horse ride and what a horse riding holiday it was with fine autumn mountain weather every day and a team of very competent riders all of whom did really well both on their respective horses and helping out with camp side duties and campfire conversation.

Cruising down into Wollondibby

We had it all, sore bums and thighs, panoramic high country vistas, challenging terrain, and great companionship around the camp. Shannon led the way as usual and the first day ended at the Homestead camp site where we had much to celebrate and look forward to for the next day. Dinner was a camp oven lamb infused with rosemary and garlic, and the dessert was Delia’s sticky date pudding.

Next morning we had chorizo and pecorino  frittata before heading out over the Ingebyra Gap to the tall trees, gold diggings, and the Little Boggy. We were joined by Emelia who was on a 1 day ride. Finally into our Moonbah camp site at 4:30pm, Delia ferried Emelia back to Snowy Wilderness and we established our beautiful camp on the “beach” on the banks of the Moonbah….scrumptious grilled steaks for dinner and a very late bedtime that saw most of us arise the next morning later than anticipated and much the worse for wear!!

At the Scnapps joint, please note the soft drinks!!

The half day ride over the pass and down into the Wollondibby Valley with the Crackenback range as a backdrop is nothing but spectacular. We arrived at the Wild Brumby Scnapps Distillery just on 1:00pm in time for a well deserved lunch and soft drink….yes, soft drink!! Except for Justin and Shannon that is, we kept up our side of the bargain………what an end to another very successful Wollondibby ride..well done to all the 5 girls on the ride and Emelia on day 2.

Completion of 2 High Country Lodges

We have completed the construction of the first 2 High Country Lodges, one two bedroom, and one one bedroom. We wanted to build just one of each type in order to get everything right and set up for the next stages of construction with the correct blueprint. We also had to have them ready for the first guests in early March, our wedding couple, Sarah and Adam’s respective parents and family.

And well, what a timetable! in the week leading up to the wedding the place looked like Pitt Street in Sydney during peak hour!!, what with all the construction crew from Fairidge, and the Function Centre crew, not to mention all the logistics and deliveries involved in furnishing the Lodges, we just hoped and prayed we would make the deadline. And we did, just!! As Sarah’s parents arrived to move into the two-bedroom Lodge on the Wednesday before the wedding, Delia was just walking out with the vacuum cleaner under her arm, now that was close!

Living area interior from lounge

The Lodges are being enjoyed by many guests now, and we have to say, they have exceeded our expectations. We wanted to create a luxurious environment where you felt as much outdoors as you were indoors, the floor to ceiling double glazed windows achieve just that. In fact, in the 1 bedroom Lodge you can lie in bed while enjoying the view through the living area out into the wilderness.

We would like to thank Fairidge Construction for the big effort they and their contractors put in to get us over the line.

The first Wedding at Snowy Wilderness

Wedding celebrations at Snowy Wilderness………

Sarah and Adam decided on Snowy Wilderness as the setting for their wedding, they were married on the lawn in front of the Homestead with the lake in the background forming an idyllic scene. Champagne and starters were served in and around the Homestead, followed by a reception in the function centre at the rear of the Homestead.

A dinner of lamb, beef, and duck, all slowly cooked in the camp ovens, was enjoyed by all, with plenty of refreshments to complement the food. Dessert was the wedding cake served with cream and ice cream.

The bridal waltz with the lights turned down was a beautiful event with the bride even more beautiful & radiant.

The weather was bright and sunny on the day and emerged into that perfect late summer evening.

The Wedding Menu