A true Snowies surprise
29 March 2026 / Story: Sharon Cassidy and Jonathon Wood. Photos: Jonathan Wood
Silver Brumby Trip Day1-
Thursday brightened in beautiful Thredbo at the Silver Brumby Ski Lodge. With Jonathan meeting us in Thredbo, our convoy is now 8 cars, although a medical episode reduced our convoy back to 7 for the day’s run. Feeling positive, the two J’s headed off early to Jindy, esky in hand, to buy the butcher out; raid the veggie gardens available, and if a candlestick maker around, why not! A magical mystery tour retracing some ground to Dalgety. Our attempts going there Wednesday enroute from the coast were thwarted by gravel. DALGETY, a beautiful one-horse town, or should I say pub. The publican looked after us with fare that was so worth the hour’s wait and so delicious. I heard a few arr’s about how amazing the sweet potato fries were too. Back in our zoom zooms and off to WILD BRUMBY for their schnapps tasting. Famous for their Apple and Pear, John and I favoured the Butterscotch. Yum. Home back to the lodge to find a smiling Kay & Mark and our 8 car group was back intact. The log fire was lit; the room heaters were turned on and so round 2 of Kay’s Murder Mystery clues continued. John took over the kitchen and cooked up a feast with some help from others; with lots of murmurings about how delicious it was. Kind beautiful fairies cleaned up; schnapps was opened; red wine savoured and all was good with our little world at the end of Day 3.
Silver Brumby Trip — Day 2: The Khancoban Run That Wasn’t
If ever there was a day that proved the best adventures are the unplanned ones, Day 2 of the Silver Brumby Trip delivered it in spades.
The Khancoban Run—190 kilometres of winding mountain bliss—never quite got out of first gear. With global tensions pushing fuel prices skyward and a steady curtain of snow turning roads from scenic to slippery, discretion won out over determination. The drive, along with its equally enticing lunch stop, was officially called off.
But if the weather had other plans, so did we.
Instead of carving through alpine roads, members settled into something arguably just as enjoyable: the warm embrace of the lodge. The day unfolded in a cosy rhythm of cards, coffee, and easy conversation, all set against the crackle of a welcoming fireplace. Outside, winter worked its magic; inside, spirits remained high.
Lunch became a triumph of resourcefulness, as Thursday night’s leftovers were transformed into a surprisingly delicious spread—proof that good company is the best seasoning. Meanwhile, a jigsaw puzzle offered a test of patience and perception, though it ultimately surrendered to the age-old mystery of “missing pieces.”
For those willing to brave the chill, the outdoors offered postcard-perfect scenes. Snow-draped cars, frosted landscapes, and bundled-up explorers became the subjects of countless photos. A snowman made a brief but proud appearance, standing sentinel before slowly surrendering to the elements.
Back indoors, the intellectual stakes rose. A murder mystery was impressively cracked before lunchtime—no small feat—followed by an afternoon quiz that came down to the wire. In a dramatic finish, the red car team was edged out by a single point, a result that will no doubt be debated well into future trips.
As the afternoon wore on, the snow began to melt, but not quite enough to lure anyone away from the fireside comforts they’d come to appreciate. Supper supplies were gathered from the Village Centre, rounding out a day that, while lacking in kilometres travelled, made up for it in camaraderie.
The Khancoban Run may not have happened—but in its place came something equally memorable: a reminder that sometimes, the best journeys don’t require leaving the lodge at all.
