 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
First post here! I've never skiied before (apart from a 'learn to ski in a day package' at the milton keynes snozone) so if one wanted to get up to Scotland from london for a weekend (lets say leave Fri night return in time for work on Monday morning) whats the best way of doing it? Fly up to Edinburgh/Glasgow, or take the overnight train from Euston? I guess driving would take too much time. Where to stay as well? Does anyone have a good itinerary?
I would be tempted to do this before my first week skiing in Courchevel in Jan. BUt is there snow in Scotland?! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Still looking very good!!!
MorganW, I wouldn't want to discourage you from going to Scotland - far from it, but it is definitely not necessarily the best place for beginners (no good nursery slopes near the bottom of the hill, and often quite challenging conditions). I would have to say, that from London, you could probably get a cheaper weekend in the alps with better slopes for your first steps on the real thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
MorganW, if you live in London why not head to France - it will be quicker than Scotland.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Hi Guys! Thanks for the information. You're right about France being closer, but there is something irrational in my mind that associates Scotland as being easier to get to given we are connected by the same bit of earth 
Is anyone able to point me to a resource where I can find ski breaks over a weekend (fly last thing Friday night, return late on Sunday/v. early on Monday morning) such that I don't have to take time off work?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gorm is also planning on getting back to action after a stormy few days, though it may still be quite blowy so wrap up well. Funicular, Coire Cas, Ciste and Ptarmigan are planned, and the Funicular should be making mid-station stops. Skiable to the middle via the Traverse and Coire Cas. Other middle runs are beginning to fill and further snow has been falling and drifting in.
West Coast has seen much more frequent and intense precipitation though, so Nevis is likely to have the most to offer more experienced riders. Glencoe's upper gullies have been filling further on top of an already decent base, hopefully the tracks and runs have filled in where neccessary and Glencoe will be up and running later in the week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
MorganW, Please read my post. I taught and lived in Aviemore for 7 years - now in France. Your progress at this point in your skiing life is likely to be hindered by going to Scotland (unless the Lecht has good snow). The novice slopes are not good, and mostly not extensive. It hurts me to say this - but Scotland is best for people who can already ski passably. If you lived in Newcastle it would be different, but to pay more, and stand to profit less it's crazy for you to go to Scotland for the weekend (sorry all those already up there).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
easiski, so I should pop up there then  ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
easiski, I have to disagree with your post above. Having learnt to ski between Austria and CairnGorm, if I had been soley exposed to the Austrian side of the equation I'd probably still be plodding around on greens (or at least blues in Austria). I know some instructors that have taught in various countries and various resorts in them, that regard the 'Gorms Ptarmigan Bowl as some of the best terrain for teaching novices.
Kirkwood in California is regarded as one of the top 10 places to learn to ride in the US or Canada despite it being famed for it's rugged terrain, it has some excellent terrain for novices just starting out around Timber Creek, but not extensive novice terrain. That is one of the factors deemed in it's favour, what it lacks in extensive novice terrain it makes up for with an excellent terrain progression from the gentlest green to the most insane double blacks - thus it encourages and aids faster progression.
The situation in terms of terrain and impact of conditions in Scotland creates a similar effect. Far from hindering it will in the longer term help you progress faster and more than likely for quite a lot of people further. In my mind a big resort with endless greens or blues will not help you advance your riding, but encourage you to stagnate, if you stay within your comfort zone you will never progress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
lampbus, You'd love it - deffo go. go every weekend!!!
Winterhighland, Well, we'll have to disagree - Scotland - no easy runs - no flat areas for teaching - T bars - high winds - more expensive hotels .... France - cheaper hotels, cheaper travel - the guy's only had a couple of gos on artificial - he needs those easy blues and greens - no snow fences - flat areas to start on - fast uplift .... As you know I love scottish skiing, but in this case I think MorganW, would be better advised to go to France. lampbus, OTOH is a good skier with an adventurous spirit who lives near Newcastle! Quite different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MorganW, Easyjet and BA will do flights etc.
I'm with easiski, tho' - you'll do a weekend in the Portes du Soleil (for example) for the same money and have a much better chance of actually skiing !
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
I'm with Alan - I think Scotland is good for learning to ski, mainly because the slopes aren't your perfect pisted corduroy. Though perhaps as an absolute first timer there is some advantage to your first attempts being on the 'groomed perfection' of Europe.
Personally I did one ski trip to Les Arc (no lessons) and then moved up to Scotland 9-10years ago and have skiied every season since in Scotland with a week in Europe most years, and think some of my best progression has come from the regular skiing in Scotland. I've now moved almost entirely to skiing on freeheel kit and still think I'll advance more from my skiiing in Scotland, perhpas with the exception of preacticing skiing moguls. But you never know - may get some good moguls again on the Lady this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
I think that given decent conditions there is enough decent beginner terrain. I didn't ski in the alps until I'd been skiing for about 7 seasons I think and I don't think it did me any lasting damage 
However, for those that don't live here, and certainly as far South as London, I'd have thought a weekend in the alps was pretty much a no brainer unless you were looking at combining skiing with other things or the snow and the forecast were looking exceptionally good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Brian,
I live in Portsmouth and have travelled to the Highlands numerous times for some skiing. Sometimes its not just about value for money but supporting good causes and the experiences (good and bad) that you get out of it. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
II, nice pics. It's Brocken Spectre btw.
Summit runs look well covered, was the goose full length ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian,
No just from Tower 4 up but it does seem to have a good base from there up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
II, Is that also a broken T-bar I see?
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
II, good stuff, the worst of the rocks are higher up, it doesn't take as much to cover the grass lower down on the chair runs.
Back coire must be filling well on all these westerly gales
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
II, great photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
There should be a lot more and down to a lower level now. The question is how much comes through the mild and wet blip that Friday is forecast to be. Cairngorm and the Lecht both look to have picked up decent amount of fresh snow overnight and there is less rain forecast for the East on Friday. so though less new snow has fallen it may stand a better chance of making it through to the weekend - looking promising.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
II, That second photo is beautiful...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
yeah that is one amazing photo, almost makes me wanna go there
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
I'll post up a link to some photos from a wet CairnGorm later. For now just a small fact about yesterdays weather on CairnGorm.
Highest Recorded wind at the Tunnel Mouth on Friday 12th Jan: 176mph !! (Equalling the previous uk record recorded at the Summit AWS).
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sat 13-01-07 19:46; edited 2 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Quote: |
Highest Recorded wind at the Tunnel Mouth on Friday 12th Jan: 176mph !! (Equalling the previous uk record recorded at the Summit AWS).
|
Now that is impressive. Imagine 76mph MORE than the 1987 'hurricane' ! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
II, looks pretty darned nice!
Seems Scotland is still having a better time than much of the Alps - less people as well! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Think I will be trying to head up to somewhere in Scotland over the weekend. What will be the best range to go to at the moment? Glenshee is the closest to me but it doesnt seem to be open at the moment and the winds are too high at Nevis by the sounds of thing so the lifts cant operate.
Anyone got good information on how conditions will be come Sunday?
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
dj_colinbell, Baltic freezing with a strong northerly wind and snow showers.
A couple of knife-edge lows to come before the weekend. Tomorrow's looks like it will stay far enough South to bring snow rather than rain. Friday's is a bit dodgier so fingers crossed. Should be some snow showers, especially in the west, on Saturday.
I think Nevis would probably be the best bet as they've got a decent base on the upper goose and on Sunday the wind looks like it might be a bit lighter in the West but really Saturday night would be the best time to decide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
