Thredbo Off-Piste and near by "Back Country"

[Henry91]

Hey guys, im going to Thredbo in mid to late July this year for a week and i am keen to get some fresh tracks, does ne 1 know of good off piste runs or other mountains that are really close by? i dont have snow shoes or n e thing so i cant go too far, one of my friends was telling me about an off piste run called one tree something, i cant remember the name other than it had something about 1 tree ahaha. any info would be sick, cheers

[Vet]

The Ski School used to (and might still) take small groups on a small hike and then thru trees to Dead Horse Gap. A shuttle drove you back to the village.

I wouldn't go BC on my own with inadequate gear to a resort I'd get lost in if there's fog or blizzard.

[The Wang]

You can go on guided backcountry tours http://www.thredbo.com.au/activities-and-events/winter-activities/skiing-and-snowboarding/cross-country-and-backcountry.asp

I guess the most obvious bc areas are Sig Hill and Stanleys (not for the unprepared or unskilled)

[John Deere]

Without some way of walking through snow it would be very difficult to make a recommendation.

If you hired snow shoes it is not far to Leatherbarrel Creek which provides good skiing, but again, it would help to go with someone.

[spaz]

I walk to Kosciuzko without snowshoes, easy.

But as The Wang linked above Thredbo do BC tours. Phil is the man, he can get you within 20m of most places in a complete whiteout, using only a compass - I've seen him do it.

Many people die BC Henry, you might not remember the 4 snowboarders who had to dig themselfs into a snow cave when the got caught in unexpected weather, 3 months later they found their bodies.
Most people that go back country are lucky they make it back ok. Even Stanley's get's people, 2 years ago a lady and her son were stuck in there for 13 hours. And Stanley's is practically part of the resort.

DHG may as well be a marked run with the amount of people that do it, but without any ski patrol in the area - you get hurt there, you pay big time for help [If you get it]

Some of the harshest weather in Australia comes through here.

Come say hi when your here.

[John Deere]

Most people that go back country are lucky they make it back ok.

I think this comment is not quite right, but I agree with Spazz's sentiment, don't go out unprepared because weather changes quickly and it is easy to get lost.

Walking to Kosi with no shoes wouldn't be that hard as you have the track and a wind scoured ridge to follow...but when yoyoing a slope, walking up with no equipment would be hard, especially if it is fresh!

[Henry91]

thanks for the advice guys! yer I've never been skiing in the BC before so i definatly wouldnt go by myself, id wanna go with an experienced person, unfortantely im from perth and my friends im going with are beginners so im a bit out of the loop haha, what about around thredbo itself, are there ne runs just out of the bounds where u can get fresh tracks?

[John Deere]

Not really...if there were, everyone would hit it.....but go exploring, u never know!

[Snowie Meli]

If you go when Thredbo has fresh snow, ski the GCB its great and you will make fresh tracks all day because its a nice large area :)

[Vet]

beginners won't want downhill fresh stuff, will they? and they won't survive tree skiing down to Dead Horse Gap.

There's always nordic skiing on a relatively flat and wide plain near the road up the back of the lodges.

[Snowie Meli]

I've always wanted to ski Dead Horse Gap, I think this year is the year, just need to figure out the lift at the bottom.

[John Deere]

Its pretty gentle, but nicely spaced trees on a good aspect!

[Vet]

but the thread-starter's pals are beginners

[Bear]

Vet I read that as he wanted to do something more challenging that baby sitting his friends. I would be guessing that the friends will be left at friday flats.

[Henry91]

Hey, ok well 3 of my friends are begginers and will be at friday flat, 2 are intermediate so i cant take them everywhere and another 2 are advanced, i was looking at the trail map, if u keep going straight at the start of the supertrail when it bends and head over to those wide chutes at the top left, are they good or even skiable, to me it looks like u could ski those down into the golf course bowl exit run

[BlueHue]

The weather in backcountry can be atrocious so definitely agree with a few of the post made. Get a tour first up to find out the lay of the land from someone who knows it, always take a partner or two. Considering you don't know the terrain at all only go when the visibility is good particularly as some of the higher areas outside of Thredbo's boundary are VERY exposed to the weather. Skiing in poor vis is really for the experienced who know the way well and have the local knowledge and navigating skills. Even then some weather makes it to risky for them.

The obvious is Dead Horse Gap run but you will need to have a car planted at Dead Horse Gap to drive back to Thredbo unless you are going there on a guided tour. Its not a difficult run or hard to navigate so once you've been shown the way it should be ok as long as you use common sense ie see paragraph above. No ski patrol to help you here though if you get in trouble.

Other than that I'd say for a first timer with no gear when it comes to bc, Thredbo in bounds will provide plenty of options before needing to go BC if the snow comes good. Hit Golf Course Bowl during and first up after a storm. Also if the wind stays up as the storm clears there are a stack of lines across the upper mountain where the wind drifts continually freshen up covering recent tracks in the process, particularly off the t-bars. If you are on these t-bars and skiing across some wind scoured terrain higher up you will likely be onto a good thing. Just follow the blowing snow cause that snow is depositing itself somewhere a little lower down when the wind eases up!

Anyway, thats my 2 cents.

[John Deere]

Might have to do a BC SW Slide this year!!

[Bear]

Might have to do a BC SW Slide this year!!
BYO axe. :eek:

[SA]

Talking BC, so no axe, only this
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/470304453_bf0f285eb0.jpg

[Bear]

Nice.

[spaz]

Hey, ok well 3 of my friends are begginers and will be at friday flat, 2 are intermediate so i cant take them everywhere and another 2 are advanced, i was looking at the trail map, if u keep going straight at the start of the supertrail when it bends and head over to those wide chutes at the top left, are they good or even skiable, to me it looks like u could ski those down into the golf course bowl exit run
You sure can ski them but without knowing the way back to the Exit Run you wont be doing untracked runs all day as it will take you a good part of the day to find your way out.
If it's GCB your talking about.
Other wise it depends on how much of a snow base is in the resort.

[spaz]

I think this comment is not quite right, but I agree with Spazz's sentiment, don't go out unprepared because weather changes quickly and it is easy to get lost.
I thought this quote would need more and was worded quickly;

Many people that leave the resort aren't prepared to survive a night if needed. No water/food/shovel. If they're back in the resort by nightfall I consider them lucky. Not everyone checks the weather/forecasts and many people become adventurous when they see tracks heading away from boundary lines.
At the end of the day I often see people that have lost track of time and are getting off the hill in the dark. mostly they are all lucky.

There are those that know what they're in for, they rarely leave without a small pack. Even if doing DH.

min: Hydration, chocolate and someone to raise the alert if no return.

[John Deere]

ice axe is acceptable!

[roo]

The Aussie BC is actually quite a small area and you are never really too far from safety. As long as you head out in appropriate weather have food, water, a map, a compass, some mates to help you should an accident occur and a relatively decent level of fitnees its quite safe. Just dont take people who cant walk themselves out of trouble.

For something easy, drop stanelys off the back of merrits, its cool and once you know the way back its extremely close. Dont head too far down the hill before cutting back to the lift on your first few attempts. Then try Dead horse.

Get out there and enjoy it and don't worry too much about one off scare stories.

[Henry91]

Thanks every1 for your tips! I think what i will do is go with my 2 friends who have been to Thredbo every year since they were little kids, check out golf course bowl and some other areas with them and then if there is enough snow and they are keen ask if they know any other spots and if we can ski them! :D one of those 2 actually said her dad might be able to take us out to kozis or dead horse gap! which would be awesome!!!

only 42 days til i get there!!! :D:D:D....but who's counting? :P

[Mizu Kuma]

only 42 days til i get there!!! :D:D:D....but who's counting? :P

I am most certainly not........................... But its 62, if ya must know! :D

[pboards&mskis]

Might have to do a BC SW Slide this year!!

Let us know if that goes ahead, Pboards will be up for it. The bane of his existence is that he has no-one to go BC with, so he'd be keen!

[Snowie Meli]

Me 2!

[pow pig]

Me 3!!!

[blutek]

it's easier at Perisher

[John Deere]

I disagree...Close BC options at Thredders are quite good.

[BlueHue]

I'm with JD, good options for all close by at Thredbo.

[SA]

I'd be up for some walkies.