 Poster: A snowHead
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Winterhighland, cheers, got tired of moving servers and decided to read weather charts instead 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Webcams are disappearing under shell of ice from the swirling snow! It's currently Southerly 81 to 100mph at the Summit of CairnGorm, now getting up to around 50mph at the foot of the White Lady (one of the most sheltered parts!), air is full of blowing snow on the webcams and the lower White Lady is drifting in well.
Can see on Colin's video that the tunnel area of the track and a section below drifted over in the WSW winds overnight, Southerly is great for blowing loose snow of the plateau into the ski area too (but also the tunnel!). The dusting of snow this morning in Inverness has mostly melted in the city centre, but it has a feeling of a big storm approaching, it's getting progressively darker though dry and some strong gusts coming in now rattling everything.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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It was still light winds in Aberdeen when i started writing this an hour ago, but is increasing as i post this. Also its clouded over with a little occasional light drizzle.
I'm told there has been a bit of new snow in the Clash with 4-5cms on sheltered trails, though scoured in other areas. Unfortunately there has been vehicles on the trails since the fresh snow has fallen, one set up to the Orange mast at the top of Leids Leap (possibly to service the mast) take care if skiing down Leids leap. A second set along Classic start to Shortcut .
From the photos the conditions don't look too bad where there is new snow, but it may be a bit patchy on the higher trails due to wind redistribution and scouring.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Winterhighland, if you could kindly pop up a really large brolly on Friday night that would be grand! 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It's ballistic out there at the moment, my garden weather station is showing sustained mean winds of 40 knots & gusting to 60, raining horizontal sheets of water at around 4 C. Lights are flickering & hope it won't happen but some house damage is almost expected tonight.
But just to remind what snow & decent daylight looks like, here are some freshies I snapped on the A702 at 9.00 am this morning while on my way to Edinburgh ...
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MoodyFFS, are you heading up tomorrow?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Great pic. On the cairngorm website it says they are now leaving as the mountain is becoming storm bound! Sounds promising lol. They also say they don't expect to be opening tomorrow.
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roga, heading up to Scotland tomorrow, stopover in Glasgow... then onto Aviemore at some point on Saturday. I am putting all my hope into Sunday/Monday to be honest... I won't leave until skis have touched snow! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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This is the latest outlook from MWIS and they seem to be picking up on the cooler trend. One thing to note is that the outlook is a general forecast for *all* mountain areas in Britain (including England and Wales) so when they mention rain in the south they don't necessarily mean Scotland and/or the Cairngorms etc. Coupled with the signals in the latest model charts mentioned by Winterhighland above I'd say we can be cautiously optimistic.
| Quote: |
Planning Outlook: All mountain areas of Britain from Saturday, 5th February, 2011
Very high levels of rainfall over the next few days, particularly across western mountains, and long periods of gales or
near gales (although not as strong as on Friday). Showers, of snow on higher, mainly Scottish mountains at times early
next week, with freeze thaw cycles likely.
There is some evidence of much colder conditions returning to all mountains in a week or so. |
It's also worth noting that whilst MWIS predicted "-3C, perhaps 2 later in south" for today Colin from ski patrol at Cairngorm mentioned -7 at the summit of Cairngorm
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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MoodyFFS, I may be able to get Monday off as well so could be heading up to cairngorm on Sunday. Possibly skiing Monday with any lick, will be getting an answer from work in the morning as to whether I can get it off or not.'fingers crossed!
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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MoodyFFS, will do. Will probably set off at 3am Monday morning, arrive at cairngorm for 10am then ski all day. Can anyone recommend a cheap but nice b&b or hotel for Monday night?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Quick question... as i don't have my own kit (rest of the group do) where is the best place to hire from? I am intermediate and ski very very far....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ricklovesthepowder,
Glenmore Lodge if they have space.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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MoodyFFS, you can hire on the mountain but beware queues and I think they only do hire on a daily basis so you have to queue at the end of the day as well to return - bit silly really and I have suggested to them they change that.
Otherwise in Aviemore there's Ellis Brighams, Aviemore Ski Hire, I think Nevis Range and there may be some others in Aviemore too (try Googling) as well as Glenmore ski hire at the Glenmore shop ... there's a place at Rothiemurcus on the ski road too I think SOS (School of Snowsports) that might do ski hire and there's a place at the Hilton Coylumbridge (I think they hire to non-residents) - quite a lot of choice really and the advantage is they'll all hire for as many days as you need kit.
Ricklovesthepowder, Glenmore Lodge is great, very comfortable very near the slopes and has a great bar - if that's not possible then check out the links in the first post here
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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roga, brilliant thanks - that's really helpful. Will have a scout around in the wind.... think they'll let me hire Saturday eve, for use Sunday/Monday - to save queuing in the morning? We've done this before in the Alps.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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looks like the snow on the mountain spirit webcam has all gone.....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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kitenski, yep I saw that too... nevermind... wasn't planning on skiing their roof
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I reckon mid Friday night the rain is gunna turn to snow... just in time for my visit. Not too much mind, as I need the A9 open! 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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roga, just trying to get some realism amongst the rose tinted glass wearers!! A last minute trip is always a possibility if the conditions warrant 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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kitenski, damned for being optimistic, damned for being pessimistic.... 
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You know it makes sense.
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MoodyFFS, try realistic 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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kitenski, having never skied on Scotland I have nothing to base realism on other than the posts in this thread... you appear very negative, others like roga, barry and others seem to at least look for the positives...
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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MoodyFFS, if you check back I am far from negative, I am realistic, indeed I was up there myself in January, timed to coincide with fresh snow, sun and cold temps! I have also skied in rain top to bottom in Scotland, so I have seen both sides...
My issue is people hyping up the fantastic snow this storm will bring when every forecast I read is talking major thaw Friday.....
I'd prefer you to go there expecting the worst and be delighted, rather than expecting champagne powder and being disappointed....
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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kitenski, i'm far from "expecting" anything... in fact I am simply hoping to ski... but can't fault a for being hopeful... oh no... you can
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Ray Zorro, nice one - remind me will this be your first trip to ski Scotland?
West is probably a good move because Cairngorm will likely be rammed right over the Scottish and English half term weeks so conditions being equal across the resorts you'll be as well heading elsewhere ... although if you end up in Aviemore give me a shout and when I'm not instructing I'll show you round or meet up for a drink 
For Nevis Fort William is definitely best and it's not bad for Glencoe too and actually only around 45/50 minutes to Aviemore if the roads are clear. There are a number of hotel and B&B options in FW just Google accomodation in the area or check out the links below. The Ballachulish Hotel does special skiers rates as do a few other places in the area, see the Glencoe Mountain Accomodation page for more info as well as the Nevis Range accomodation pages for offers here and general accomodation here and here. As for personal recommendations I'm not best placed to do that because I tend to stay in Aviemore.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hey guys I was kinda joking so please don't have an argument 'coz of my jokey comment - as kitenski says he's skied Scotland before and was up a few weeks ago so does know the score. I agree some pessimism is always sensible and with a bit of that you'll often be pleasantly surprised - thing is though the models do seem to be opting for colder and the MWIS predictions of a big thaw were in their general outlook for all the UK mountain areas rather than just the Highlands. It might happen though but we'll see ... I'm deffo in a glass half full place at the moment though
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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To be honest Cairngorms has no redeeming features without a walk unless you are a total beginner so I'd avoid it at all costs, or at any cost
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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^ ^ now, now 
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scotia, oh and it does have one.... free accommodation
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FAQ
