Scott Kneller

During the first two weeks of July the Australian Snowfields are subject to the most disgusting epidemic that is the school holidays. Every year school children and their families flock to this part of Australia to infest our peaceful town. This year has been particularly bad, with little natural snowfall it is practically impossible to going skiing.

With this influx of people come lines for the chairlift, lines for food, lines for the bathroom and a long line of traffic snaking up towards the mountain. For some unknown reason it seems every L plate driver feels that it is essential that they learn to drive on the one-lane highways that surround the snowy mountains. During the school holidays it takes longer to find a park than it does for BP to plug an oil well.

Yesterday I made the 45 min trip up the hill for a beautiful day of skiing however after one run I turned around and came home, the half hour lift queue was hardly worth skiing the run with 10000 other people.

I appreciate the school holidays is the most profitable time of the year for local businesses but the lack of snowfall this year has made it unbearable.

During this period I have no other choice than to rise 2 hours earlier and be on snow before the sun rises. Although the early rise is difficult the skiing is worth it. This past week I have been training with the Thredbo Ski Racing Club who have kindly let me ski alongside them. No people, no lines, great snow and beautiful sunrises. Check out a few of the photos my brother Luke took last Friday Morning.