 Poster: A snowHead
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| geoffers wrote: |
roga,
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| anyone fancy a May Day weekend jaunt up to Scotland |
yep - I'm thinking along those lines myself - this evening's BBC weather was predicting more snowfall this weekend. 
I'm of to St Anton this w/e, but will take a view when I get back |
Yup, I'm doing pretty much the same in that I'm heading for Austria in the first two weeks of April but that's it in terms of foreign trips until next season (will probably try to get over to this years expanded Atomic Boot Camp at Tignes in October) and Scotland seems like a good way of ending the season properly even if there's only a bit of sliding at the top and at the back.
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| PS - why not change the title of this thread to .......May Day weekend YEEEHAAA! |
LOL, good idea but I don't know how or if I can change it retrospectively - anyone know how?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| II wrote: |
| My last day skiing in Scotland in 2006 was 30th April (I think) and last year was 4th April so that makes me a May skiing virgin.... |
LOL, you need deflowering II! 
The west coast resorts tend to close earlier I've noticed but Cairngorm seem to try to keep open as late as they can which makes it probably the safest bet.
| nbt wrote: |
| Hmmm. might just check out the APEX train fares.... |
Good point, the sleeper might be a goer for this weekend if booked ahead.
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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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| roga wrote: |
| LOL, good idea but I don't know how or if I can change it retrospectively - anyone know how? |
Edit the first post, change the title
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Cheers nbt 'tis done 
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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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If your all coming to cairngorm, bring some touring kit (or be prepared to walk) - the best snow will be over the back, though with a bit of luck the Ciste Gulley may be skiable. Last year the snow didn't make it into May, but on the last day of lift served skiing at CML I skiied the Ciste Gulley in really good spring snow, and then walked out.
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| Dave Horsley wrote: |
| If your all coming to cairngorm, bring some touring kit (or be prepared to walk) - the best snow will be over the back, though with a bit of luck the Ciste Gulley may be skiable. Last year the snow didn't make it into May, but on the last day of lift served skiing at CML I skiied the Ciste Gulley in really good spring snow, and then walked out. |
The snowfall last year was far poorer though so it's not suprising that it didn't last. More realistic to compare with 2006 when they kept going into May. I suspect there wasn't as much then as there is now though although I could be mistaken with regards Cairngorm because I haven't been since January.
Touring kit would be good though... unfortunately I don't have any... yet!
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roga,
Top of the Ciste Gulley probably has more snow now than at a similar time in 2006, but there is probably a lot less lower down (as of the last time I was at Cairngorm which was last Thursday), but that may have changed over the last week as there has been strong southerly winds that may have redistributed the snow favourably for the Ciste. May have info on this on friday as I may go skiing tomorrow. Weekedn is looking a bit snowy and windy so the skiing may not be so good.
What I was trying to say was that last year on the last day the Ciste Gulley was still skiable so it may be that on last day this year it could be skiable even though the last day this year may be a lot later than the last day last year - if you get my drift .
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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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Well at the moment it's looking like west is best of you want to do anything more exciting than greens and blues but hopefully the weekend will give Cairngorm a nice top up. Having said that all I'd expect at the Gorm in May would be the Ptarmigan bowl and off-piste over the back (Dave, fancy showing me around?), anything else would be a bonus I guess.
I'd prefer to finish off the season at Cairngorm for the sake of nostalgia but it looks more likely there will be better sliding at Nevis and Glencoe but we'll see what the next wee while brings.
I'm off to Austria for 10 days from Monday but I'll try to keep an eye on things from there, fingers crossed for there being snow in Scotland when I get back
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Couple of tips for folk coming up from England:
- Sleeper train. Check the firstscotrail.com website first, click on the "Bargain Berths" link in the Sleeper section. You may be lucky. If that doesn't work, thetrainline.com often has Apex tickets still available when Scotrail reckon they're sold out! Think the Apex fare is £66 single (including berth) but that's for the Glasgow Sleeper, the Inverness/Aviemore one may be more expensive.
- If you need touring gear, Mountain Spirit in Aviemore have great kit which will set you back £23 a day. I can't afford my own mountaineering kit yet, and have had a few days on their equipment including an excellent tour up Cairn Lochan and down Lurchers on Sunday.
Great to see so much interest from down South in Scottish skiing - I notched up my 32nd day of the season on Sunday!
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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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Barclay, unfortunately the bargain berths only operate from London. For those of s who would want to join the train further north, there are no discounts 
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Elizabeth B, is it not cheaper/possible to book the ticket from London and board further up the line?
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You know it makes sense.
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holidayloverxx, technically "travelling short" as it is called is illegal. You can get away with it on the return, but on the way out they can resell your seat/bed or stop you from boarding.
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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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Elizabeth B, good to know, thanks
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Poster: A snowHead
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holidayloverxx, we had a stupid situation a couple of weeks ago. I'd booked to go Manchester - Watford Jn. My dad then looked for a ticket to join me, and the fare that they sold him was Manchester - Euston - Watford Jn  . He jumped off at Watford Jn with me the 1st time round.....fortunately no one checked the time on the ticket!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm thinking of some skiing in Scotland for the May bank holiday weekend. Drive up on the Saturday morning and back on the Monday.
Barclay, Hi there, welcome to Snowheads. Where in Glasgow are you? I'm in Dennistoun.
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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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I maybe interested, hopefully the resorts will be open as I don't have skins....
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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cc_7up,
We stayed at Lochview guesthouse in Fort William (http://www.lochview.co.uk/) and it was very good. Not sure if it is open again yet, because i think they just opened for easter and then closed again, due to easter beeing so early this year. You'll have to phone or email them and check. For Glencoe the Clachaig Inn (http://www.clachaig.com/) is supoosed to be good, but I've not stayed there myself.
Phone 01397703149 Lochview; 01855811252 Clachaig
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Dave; The Clachaig is excellent. I will be drinking copious amounts of ale (14 hand pumps!) there this coming Saturday. Live music every Saturday night.
elizabethb: (trainspotter mode on) The sleepers don't go via Manchester; in England they stop at Watford Junction, Crewe and Preston. Bargain berths aren't available but Apex advance purchases are. £51 single from Preston to Inverness; not incredibly cheap but does save you the cost of a hotel room. (\trainspotter mode off)
jb1970: I'm new to Glasgow - moved here last September. Staying in North Woodside, near Kelvinbridge. I'll be skiing Nevis this Sat and Glencoe on Sun - plus the bar of the Clachaig on Saturday night - if you fancy a pint or a ski buddy. Will be up every weekend until there's only a 30 metre snowpatch and a four mile hike in!
Some immature and frankly childish accounts of some of this season's adventures so far can be found on my blog, here:
http://costadelsherburn.blogspot.com
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Barclay, yeah, sorry, I know the sleepers don't do Manchester.....that reference was a separate comment about travelling short rather than sleeper related. Unfortunately the sleepers don't do Sheffield either! From here it'd only be worth doing if there was a real bargain price from Preston. I travel up to the Fort William area a few times each summer, and every time I consider using the train, and every time (so far!) I end up driving.
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I've booked in at the 'Clachaig' (near Glencoe) for Friday and Saturday nights and will be driving up Thursday night returning on Sunday.
Hope to meet some Snowheads whilst i am there.
Rob
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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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has anyone confirmed that lifts will be running???
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Nevis Range says it will stay open until Mon 5 May if there's nuff snow.
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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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I'm seriously jealous of everybody planning to do this trip. Easter was amazing...
Bah.
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You know it makes sense.
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closer to 90 minutes from aviemore to nevis, i've done it in under an hour but that was at serious risk to both licence and life! lovely drive though, over by loch laggan (glenbogle) & creag meagaidh
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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My plans for the May Day weekend have just been cancelled.........so I'm now considering this. I suspect that I won't commit until nearer the time when I know what is likely to be open, but it's now entered my thinking! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Elizabeth B wrote: |
| My plans for the May Day weekend have just been cancelled.........so I'm now considering this. I suspect that I won't commit until nearer the time when I know what is likely to be open, but it's now entered my thinking! |
If you are driving up then go and reurn via Stirling (A84). and make sure you are in the left hand lane to get on to the M73 where there are road works.
Avoid Returning via Glasgow as the slip road onto the M8 is closed and you will be diverted all over the place - Not a good day out.
Rob
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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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cc_7up, last time I drove up that way the slip road from the Erskine Bridge onto the M8 was shut with no diversion posted. Fortunately I knew the area well enough to find my way, but not helpful. Do you know how long the roadworks are there for, as I'm definitely going up that way at Spring Bank Holiday.
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How far from the Glasgow area to the nearest resort?
I will be up there for a christening and wondering about what is possible (if at all)?
Many thanks.
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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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It is roughly 70 - 100 miles from Glasgow to Glencoe (nearest) and Nevis Range (slightly further).
Beautiful drive for the last 40'ish miles, once you leave the Glasgow s***ehole behind.
Takes about 1 - 3 hrs, depending on traffic.
There should be 1 or 2 runs at the very top of both stations still open by early-May.
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Thanks
I am flying up on the friday night and back on monday...Toying with the idea of driving there for the day...Have to hire a car though...
Are Glencoe and/or nevis suitable for an intermediate snowboarder?
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Yes.
They are both mostly blues and reds, with the odd black.
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Here's the latest from Cairngorm for the May bank holiday weekend:
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May Bank Holiday Weekend Snow Festival - celebrate the end of the season with us...
Assuming conditions last we are going to celebrate snowsports into May with a Bank Holiday Weekend Special. Skiers and Boarders can ski for £9.25 per day (adult), £5.85 (child) £8.00 (student/senior). The price is valid for either Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May. Ski hire will be available at half day prices. No discounts on these prices. As well as snowsports we hope to organise a full programme of activities including: snow cat rides, Milly the search and rescue dog, snow castle building and piste art, a Hog Roast, Avalanche Transceiver Hunt, Ice Bar, guided walks and more. Full programme available next week! Come and join us with friends and family for a final blast! |
Given it's now only a week away there would have to be pretty catastrophic warm temperatures and rain to remove the snow so I'd say snowsports are more or less guaranteed - great prices on tickets too!
The main factor will be the weather over the weekend and it's too early to call that, hopefully it'll be a decent one.
At the moment the forecast looks to be predicting cooler temperatures into the early part of next week with the potential for some new snow Monday and Tuesday. As always that may change.
As for me I'm thinking in terms of driving up, if the family opt to come I may hire a car for all luggage because I don't fancy thrashing my MINI on an overnight drive with the roof box packed with ski equipment and my potent, it's only £150 for a 7 seater so cheaper than flights or trains for everyone and the lights are all at the wrong times anyway and I'd have to hire a car there when I arrived. Given I stick to this plan I may have room for a couple of other people in the car if anyone wants to tag along - let me know here or PM me.
Apart from that, who else is planning to head up there?
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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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| roga wrote: |
| Given it's now only a week away there would have to be pretty catastrophic warm temperatures and rain to remove the snow so I'd say snowsports are more or less guaranteed - great prices on tickets too! |
Have you seen the forecast 
from winterhhighland...
Steady overnight rain is expected and this will lead to a continuing thaw overnight which will add melt water to possibly as much as an inch of rain for the West, beware of potentially very high stream and mountain rivers at the weekend.
Saturday is a day for canoeing to be honest, if you like raging white water! Rain will continue most if not all day with a South West wind coming in at 30mph gusting to 50mph, gusting 60mph on the tops. The FL will be above the Summits and the 3000ft temperature will be around +4 to +6°c, gradually falling from the high point during the afternoon or evening.
Eventually cooler air will follow through and Sunday will see a mix of sunny spells and wintry showers. South West winds easing and veering Westerly at around 10 to 20mph. The Freezing Level will be around 4000ft with a Munro Level temperature of +2°c.
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The hills will not be as pretty as they were a week ago, but it'll take more than a day of rain to wipe out the massive base built up on the upper mountains. I will be at Nevis on Sunday, and report back.
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FAQ
