With the winter season rapidly disappearing and spring farming on in everywhere, it was time for one last roadtrip. Where better to go, than Ohau? They've had consistently good conditions, better than most places, forecast was for bluebird, no wind, and there'd been 40cm or so of fresh earlier in the week.
Another early start for myself and SJ, got Rosie packed up and got ourselves down to the lodge in around 4 hours. Scenery stunning as ever, getting very green through McKenzie high country now - plenty lambs out and about. "Ah, back again, Richard?" I get as we arrive at Ohau lodge. Seems I'm their best customer - everyone remembers me as I'm walking around, which is nice. Got ourselves up to the snow by 12 - busiest I've seen it, apparently they got around 400 people over the day. Still seems pretty much empty once you're up top though!
No riding for SJ as was tired from the week's sales conference, so time to chill out at the cafe, in the sun. Meanwhile Sloth can't resist hiking the ridge again. Headed up further left this time, over to one of the back bowls. Spent a while checking it out, asking what conditions were like, scoping the drop in and run out. Drop in was full of FEAR, around 3 metres off the ridge into powder, onto head. Run out was powder, but had to watch out for rocks in parts. All good and worth it, but took some bad lines after that. Spent the rest of the avo just cruising it on piste, getting some big Euro carves in and taking in all the hits around.
Back down to the lodge for a few beers, watching the sun go down, dinner then early bed for Alain and Alison. Liking this Manual Mag, if / when I can get my hands on it.
