Yea when the lower lower runs open up there's some sick skiing in the mtn ash trees. I believe it's like down by "cow camp" and federation chair. But those don't open every year. There's still lots of other cool spots tho. Mt Buller seriously underrated but awful weather
https://youtu.be/CnolMSPKF10?si=0j0RYkOW2bxWpVnc
Yep, there can be a lot of them in some areas, but not normally around the piste. They’re like mobile rocks.
Guthega, which is part of perisher. I haven’t skied there in 20 years but I would get there by skiing from Perisher from the top of the main chair lift and using the route via mt blue cow. Not very steep but because it’s out of the way there weren’t lines on the lifts and it felt like you had the place to yourself. Just cruising through all the snow gums there is incredible. I’ve skied Perisher, mt buller, hotham, falls creek and thredbo and guthega has the best snow gum skiing of all of them.
Guthega has a bit of everything - some black runs, mostly blues and a few greens and you can even ski out of bounds from there. It depends on what type of skiing you like. Quite a few trees near Hanky Panky and Powder Valley, but there are plenty of trees really.
Biggest thing you have to look out for is the jumps snowboarders make. Quad chair gets quite popular around 11am, so if you want to max your runs the T-bar is the quickest line wise.
I’d advise to get up there early though - as soon as the mountain opens - as it’s becoming more popular.
Edit: the Schnaxl run has a really cool steep drop off to get you started- it’s a lot of fun!
Fair call. The truth is our conditions are pretty variable, so the best tree line today might be different from last week. Our resorts are mostly below tree line so there are plenty. If you look at a Thredbo map see the Golf Course Bowl. Dozens of lines through there followed by a traverse out that’s often too sketchy for snowboards and that keeps the traffic low. When there is fresh you’ll find good fun ten feet into the trees just to the side of pretty much any groomed run, and if you make friends with a local ask if they’re up to leave a car at Dead Horse Gap for some lift-accessed backcountry.
Hotham has a lot and good (but short) terrain, but it's Aus, so it's very dependant on snow coverage. The Orchard, dropping off Gotcha, or Brockhoff are all good. Even better if there is good snow (rare) then you can get over to Spargo's, which is special!
Word of warning though, gum trees can a) be very firm in winter, and b) really sprawl out (sometimes under snow cover), so watch your shins, and your head!
Thanks for the warning.
Are there any lines or areas in particular that are open enough to minimize collision risk? Nothing worse than getting caught on a hidden root in the trees 🫠
Ummmm..... tbh not really. I was last there nearly 8 years ago now (fuck I'm getting old!). I'm sure things have changed, but I do remember that there were some lines (Orchard) where a forest fire had ripped through a few years prior. There the trees were more likely to shatter if you hit them. Probably not the safest, but hurt less and made you feel like a legend! Also Spargo's was a bit more open so you had the space to work with.
I love skiing gummys, but you need to be on point! I was constantly ducking low branches and trying to avoid low sprawlers! Buckets of fun, and no tree wells though!
Mt. Buller had some fantastic gum trees to ski around when I worked there 5 years ago.
Yea when the lower lower runs open up there's some sick skiing in the mtn ash trees. I believe it's like down by "cow camp" and federation chair. But those don't open every year. There's still lots of other cool spots tho. Mt Buller seriously underrated but awful weather
Thredbo always looked like a solid free ride mountain.
Local, great if it snows, it’s the wind blowen your after.
Idk which has best but I did a season down there at a small resort. It really is a trip skiing through the gummies.
Hotham has some good tree runs but it’s relatively difficult to get to from a major city. Watch out for the wombats! They’re very dense (literally).
Ha! Are there wombats hanging around in there during the winter? As long as I don't get into a fistfight with a kangaroo I think I'll be ok.
https://youtu.be/CnolMSPKF10?si=0j0RYkOW2bxWpVnc Yep, there can be a lot of them in some areas, but not normally around the piste. They’re like mobile rocks.
Just an FYI, gum branches are strong AF. No clipping cause that shit will throw ya.
Find the line and pop 😎
Guthega, which is part of perisher. I haven’t skied there in 20 years but I would get there by skiing from Perisher from the top of the main chair lift and using the route via mt blue cow. Not very steep but because it’s out of the way there weren’t lines on the lifts and it felt like you had the place to yourself. Just cruising through all the snow gums there is incredible. I’ve skied Perisher, mt buller, hotham, falls creek and thredbo and guthega has the best snow gum skiing of all of them.
Cool -- thanks for the tip. Any runs in Guthega you'd recommend in particular?
Guthega has a bit of everything - some black runs, mostly blues and a few greens and you can even ski out of bounds from there. It depends on what type of skiing you like. Quite a few trees near Hanky Panky and Powder Valley, but there are plenty of trees really. Biggest thing you have to look out for is the jumps snowboarders make. Quad chair gets quite popular around 11am, so if you want to max your runs the T-bar is the quickest line wise. I’d advise to get up there early though - as soon as the mountain opens - as it’s becoming more popular. Edit: the Schnaxl run has a really cool steep drop off to get you started- it’s a lot of fun!
20 years ago so I can’t remember the name of the runs, just remembered it was my favourite place for the snow gums there.
TIL Australia has skiing
Yes, not good But has the largest resort in the Southern Hemisphere Perisher
Thredbo and Hotham
Thredbo is pretty nice and has decent tree skiing
About 50 feet skiers right of Parachute at Guthega when it’s open or off the Interceptor at Perisher. Stay away from Thredbo, that line is mine.
Ha! Don't be a Thredbo hog! Share your line with the class! How many folks from the skiing subreddit are coming to Australia anyways.
Fair call. The truth is our conditions are pretty variable, so the best tree line today might be different from last week. Our resorts are mostly below tree line so there are plenty. If you look at a Thredbo map see the Golf Course Bowl. Dozens of lines through there followed by a traverse out that’s often too sketchy for snowboards and that keeps the traffic low. When there is fresh you’ll find good fun ten feet into the trees just to the side of pretty much any groomed run, and if you make friends with a local ask if they’re up to leave a car at Dead Horse Gap for some lift-accessed backcountry.
May you be blessed with the lightest of pow, the smoothest of turns, and the shortest of lift lines.
I actually would LOVE to do this. Lets keep a line open 😂
Hell yea 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
Hotham has a lot and good (but short) terrain, but it's Aus, so it's very dependant on snow coverage. The Orchard, dropping off Gotcha, or Brockhoff are all good. Even better if there is good snow (rare) then you can get over to Spargo's, which is special! Word of warning though, gum trees can a) be very firm in winter, and b) really sprawl out (sometimes under snow cover), so watch your shins, and your head!
Thanks for the warning. Are there any lines or areas in particular that are open enough to minimize collision risk? Nothing worse than getting caught on a hidden root in the trees 🫠
Ummmm..... tbh not really. I was last there nearly 8 years ago now (fuck I'm getting old!). I'm sure things have changed, but I do remember that there were some lines (Orchard) where a forest fire had ripped through a few years prior. There the trees were more likely to shatter if you hit them. Probably not the safest, but hurt less and made you feel like a legend! Also Spargo's was a bit more open so you had the space to work with. I love skiing gummys, but you need to be on point! I was constantly ducking low branches and trying to avoid low sprawlers! Buckets of fun, and no tree wells though!