The other big news of the week is that Cross Country Ski Hire retained the title of having the fastest toboggans after a clean sweep in the open category at the annual toboggan race series last Saturday on Lake Mountain. The Wilkie family from Bacchus Marsh did us proud on our super carve toboggans. Dad and the young fella picked up the silverware. Well done guys. Minor places were also filled by a couple of dudes on our super carves. Photos coming soon.

My advice is to get up here early for one last crack, grab a supercarve toboggan and enjoy the best of the snow conditions before it gets too chopped up with the crowds.   

Grego

After supplying the winning toboggans for all races in 2008, we’re ready to give it another crack in 2009 with our fleet of super carves. Easily the fastest toboggan on the hill. Swing by the shop early as these bad boys will be in hot demand. I’ve got mine all waxed up!!!!!

Grego

For the tobogganers, the home run remains in good shape and with snow making and temps getting down overnight it’s definitely worth getting up there early for the best of the conditions.

Down town in Marysville we’ve got Gemma out and about in the Cross Country Cafe Van. She’s a whiz with the latte art so put her to the test. 

Cheers. Grego

They were flown to the golf club via Lindsay Fox’s helicopter and spent an hour being chauffered around the town in a bus. They mingled with locals and showed genuine interest in the redevelopment of the township. With my love of golf and Lianne’s of tennis, we both managed to get a photo or two with our childhood idols.

Lianne and Chris Evert

Greg and Greg Norman

Lianne and Chris Evert

Lianne made the nightly news giving Greg a kiss and now she says there’s another Greg in her life!  Such a wonderful couple and to give up their first anniversary together in order to be with the people of Marysville says it all really.

The afternoon was spent at the Heritage Golf and country club where the Marysville and Triangle community were invited guests at a luncheon in a large marquee. Who should come out on stage for 3 songs but Simon and Garfunkel. Unbelievable! We had some fun with Hamish and Andy and enjoyed listening to Kate Ceberano and James Morrison. Also in attendance were Megan Gale, Wayne Arthurs, ‘Dipper’, John Brumby and others.

Lianne and Andy Lee

A huge thank you for their ongoing support for the Marysville and Triangle region must also go to Andrew Forest, Mick Best and the Fox family including Andrew and Fi. All were just so genuine and nice and a simple thank you doesn’t seem adequate.

What an amazing day and one that truly lifted the spirits of the people from Marysville and the triangle.

Grego

That’s us. We have got heaps of new gear at great prices (and we’re cheaper than the mountain anyway) and will be hard pushed to run out of clothing and toboggans, so you won’t need to pre-book.

On a positive note…

It’s been snowing heavily for the last 24 hours and there’s a heap more forecast so should be a great weekend. Furthermore, it’s free entry up the mountain until services are returned to normal. Gotta love that!

Grego

Lianne and the staff outside the shop

Over the course of the winter I will be introducing them in our new blog and putting them on the spot to tell their story. (You should have seen their faces when I told them that!)

Lianne and myself are privileged to have such superbly qualified people with us this year and we know that by offering them work with us we are helping to keep them in the community for when they can return to their usual professions and businesses.

Watch out for their stories in future posts,

Greg.

At the resort all toboggan areas are open and most of the cross country trails have a good, deep cover and are being groomed. Check the ski.com.au trail report for all the details.

This weekend is shaping up to be superb with further snowfalls expected, so we are rushing to get our new skis waxed up in time. My advice is to get here early and get your gear from us to avoid the queues. Might even be able to sneak in a couple of runs myself…

The toboggan slope, 10.30am 9 June. Image: ski.com.au

Looking good! You can even see the flakes falling in that pic.

Be sure to rug up if you’re on your way to the mountain today or tomorrow. The wind’s got a real bite to it.

The new gear is arriving daily - I’m getting a bit sick of unpacking it all! The graphics on the 2009 Madshus skis look pretty cool and with the NIS bindings attached should be a lot quicker with greater contol. I’m looking forward to getting a few early runs in with these bad boys. Check out the rap sheet on the Nordsetter and Exercise models as well as all the latest Madshus news at www.madshus.com.

It should be a good opening weekend. Maybe a light dusting of snow on the Monday as well. Not enough to ski yet but certainly getting the ground temperatures down. The mountain crew are keen to show off their new snowmaking toy that guarantees snow to 25 degrees celsius. No pressure boys!

Down at the shop we’re getting the brews cranked up and have even laid a bit of turf to spruce the place up. Check us out tonight on ABC’s Stateline at 7.30pm.

The site of the old shop has been cleared by the Grocon contractors and portable units are being erected to house the ski hire business, toilets with baby change and our new on-site coffee shop for the 2009 season.

The shop will look a bit strange from the outside but inside we’ll have plenty of brand new, quality stock and are looking forward to your custom during what we’re hoping will be a bumper season.

What our shop will look like this year

In recognition of the generous support we have received from the Australian public, the hire prices on snow play clothing and toboggans will remain unchanged from 2008. Furthermore, our childrens snow-play-package will remain at $16.

We look forward to making your snow experience a positive and memorable one in 2009!