The crud between the storm

Some days you just have to love being in the mountains.

Yesterday was by all accounts ‘the day of the season’. A phrase that has already been over used this Australian winter (this is a good thing).

Today was by my account far from the day of the season and represented everything about Australian skiing that makes those that grow up at our resorts some of the best skiers around. Bullet proof groomers first up, skin ripping winds on exposed chairlifts, limited visibility and plenty of moisture on the goggles.

But before the haters get too excited, you know what, I still had a damn fine time.

Sure, I know there’s a snow storm coming tomorrow which will make Saturday afternoon and Sunday the next ‘day of the season’ but there’s more than powder to make a day worthwhile on a mountain.

I woke in a comfy bed in a completely snow laden village where everything is now ski in ski out. Yes, I am at Falls Creek, the prettiest ski town in Australia.

I dined on breakfast fare that had been made from scratch with love by an Italian chef called Francesco with Michelin restaurants on his CV who was manning the morning stove at The Gully by Three Blue Ducks.

He had soaked black rice, barley, oats and sago in coconut milk overnight and stewed it with rhubarb come morning for a power porridge like no other.

I had fast and free wi-fi. I know, right?

Friendly fun service. Again, I know, right?

I met friends to go backcountry skiing with Steve Lee. It was cancelled due to conditions. But we didn’t worry, we had a coffee instead and told jokes and tales before heading up into the land of white mist, fat powder skis at the ready to hit the resort off piste chowder crud.

Myself and my ski buddy who I first met in the mountains, Sam McGuiness (his mother built the Wagga Ski Club with ten friends back in the day) skied by braille, cursing each other through the fog like old muppets and using our glove fingers and windscreen wipers on our goggles to stop them from turning to ice and giggling like school children.

Funny thing was there were plenty of others laughing too. Frankly, everyone looked to be having a damn fine time. By mid morning the groomers were skiing a dream, even if you couldn’t see them, and if you stayed on piste then life was damn fine.

Yes, yes, I returned saturated but you know what, I didn’t even notice I was sodden until I skied back into the dry room at Astra Lodge. There’s a lot to love about a day on the mountains even if you missed the day of the season by mere hours.

How can you not love a resort that allows residents to have dogs (yay!), bans cars so the whole village is pedestrian only and serves up sausage rolls for $1 per inch (yes, I went back to The Gully, I am officially in food love).

Did I mention the double choc chip cookie, caramel and berry muffin with meringue and brownie topping I didn’t have for dessert?

Calories consumed at a ski resort do not count. It’s like foreign currency spent overseas, doesn’t look like yours so spend it like it is someone else’s.

Oh and tomorrow, there’s another snow storm. Just saying.

What do you think makes a good ski or snowboard day?

Follow SnowsBest and @misssnowitall on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.