Telemark 2014 Sports Activities Report
2014 started with some wonderful weather in the mountains which many people came to enjoy during the summer. January saw many folk riding their bikes both road bikes and mountain on some local track and trails. The cooler daytime temps in March and April enabled the Telemark Bike Team to practise their skills around the village as well as the Aquaduct trail around to Guthega.
Peter and Pam Hennessy visited Charlottes Pass lookout to pay respects to Dyillagamberra the local Rain Maker and Creation Spirit of the original Aboriginal people during the March working bee. While Eric and Heidi Groom gave their bikes and jogging shoes a solid workout for the remaining weekends of Autumn.Walking in the mountains during these months has become very popular, with many people taking advantage of the fine days and pleasant temperatures.
The snow started early and gave everyone a super ski season with loads of the white stuff for an extended period. The end of June had Telemark’s first winter guests extremely happy with a great cover which allowed them to ski, snowboard and cross country ski on and off the trails.The Howe family took advantage of the snow and booked in for ski lessons to brush up on some skills. The adults and children improved over the week activities and they look forward to next year’s season. In July Tom Thorvaldson invited his friends the Cotton family to stay (first time skiers) and everyone experienced the fun of beginner skiers enjoying the thrills for the first time. Their spare time was spent creating a viking ship snow sculpture which turned out to be a prominent destination for many Perisher sightseers.
During the last week of July the Donovan family skied every day to improve their skills. Craig continued hisski training for the Perisher MastersRace, then walked everyday to the village for a well deserved coffee.The Fox family tried snowboarding for the first time and the Barr family grandparents entertained the grandchildren in between skiing and walking. It was noted that even the over 65 year olds improved their skiing during the week.
The height of the winter season (August) was no disappointment for any of the Telemark guests. This included at least 2 international visitors (a Frenchman and an American). The Amundsen, Bunting, Short, Andrews, Reid and Groom families all had a super time skiing and snowboarding. Vertical metres were recorded on Apple Apps and some amazing records such as13,144 metres and 12,455 metres have been entered into the history books. The younger guests had great fun zooming down the Telemark and Perisher hills on toboggans and often tried to out do each other to see who could travel for the longest distance. A particular mention should be made as to how well the new ticket system has been accepted. Skiers have found it convenient to use and feel it a much needed improvement to last year.
Of course what would be a visit to Telemark without building a snowman or two? Plenty of guests created, added to and renovated this traditional snow activity. It just goes to show that no matter what age, young or old there is always time to make a snow man to stand proudly in front of Telemark for all to admire.
Spring snow kept the skiing enthusiasts happy and Willow Howe even managed a ride on a skido. Trygve Amundsen noted that after a complete replacement of his left knee, staying at Telemark for the week where he managed to cross country ski each day,had a very important and constructive rehabilitation result and generally created a positive effect on his over all well being.
As the snow eventually melted it gave way to the walking, biking and fishing activities that so many people have enjoyed each year.
2014 ended just as it had begun –wonderfully magical and superbly brilliant. But then again we don’t expect anything less from the mountains and Telemark.
Sonja Thorvaldson,
Recreational Activities Officer.
