I was up above Bala with winter conditions underfoot on Thursday. I'll post a pic later. Not sure the situation now
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Mouse555, @Mike Pow, Mike & Chris - good to meet you up Pen-y-Fan on Friday, and kudos to you for skiing in that visibility
I must admit I felt a bit of a wimp having left my skis in the car : however I think I enjoyed my fast off-piste descent on foot more than I would have done on the planks. (I'd brought my NTN Tele kit too, so another excuse to wimp out, as not the easiest to ski when you can't see much)
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?
Yeah the visibility was a shame because the snow ontop was fantastic!
Much better overhead and lower temperatures forecast for the start of next week so will be interesting to see what's survived.
Hoping to get up early tomorrow because I've got to be back by 2ish.
^^ Arenig Fawr, Thursday at the 750m mark. Some good ground on there if conditions are OK, plus the access from the main road (A4212) isn't too bad.
I spotted this line, Moel Llyfnant, which tops at 751m and has a nice line Easterly aspect for the main face, Northerly for the easier ground.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
geoffers wrote:
@Mouse555, @Mike Pow, Mike & Chris - good to meet you up Pen-y-Fan on Friday, and kudos to you for skiing in that visibility
I must admit I felt a bit of a wimp having left my skis in the car : however I think I enjoyed my fast off-piste descent on foot more than I would have done on the planks. (I'd brought my NTN Tele kit too, so another excuse to wimp out, as not the easiest to ski when you can't see much)
The fall at the end of this clip reveals that this is a somewhat eccentric activity doesn't it...?
I am Welsh. I love to ski. I love the Welsh mountains. But I can't think of anything that would prompt me try to ski those grassy tussocks...!
The turns up high more than made up for it.
So too the photos of the area.
It's not for everyone for sure.
I fell twice this day, which is low for me when I'm skiing Hokkaido.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Good on you (& others on this thread) for getting geared up and out there.
One day when there is a LOT more snow on the central Beacons I will pack my skins and come to see for myself. Fingers crossed that this happens during the coming winter!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
IanTr wrote:
The fall at the end of this clip reveals that this is a somewhat eccentric activity doesn't it...?
I am Welsh. I love to ski. I love the Welsh mountains. But I can't think of anything that would prompt me try to ski those grassy tussocks...!
We hadn't skied Cadair Berwyn before so were unsure how much snow was needed for it to work. Brecon Beacons is probably the best place to transition from conventional to feral skiing. Some easy turns to be had on Pen y Fan today!
It's only my 2nd season going up but i'd say it's probably pretty rare to get much more than what the Beacons got last week to be honest. Ain't everyone's cup of tea.
With the Northern reaches of Powys getting the brunt of the first white storm of the Winter it was time to explore pastures new.
I met Chris (@Mouse555) at the Pistyll Rhaeadr car park at 6am, and we headed up to the summit of Cadair Berwyn under starry skies and the slowly rising sun.
The sun was shining all day, the views spread out in all directions, and the snow - knee deep in places - was fantastic.
Worth every step of the 2hr walk in and 2.5 hr drive.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Great pics
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Chamcham wrote:
Great pics
Cheers.
Great place, great day.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019
Second day of the Welsh Ski Season for me (third for Chris).
Top to bottom skiing in the Central Beacons Massif on good snow.
Unfortunately it was like skiing inside a golf ball
Disappointing as the NE Face of Pen-y-Fan and NW Face of Cribyn were good to go
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Yep the weekend will mark the beginning of a colder spell of weather likely to last into the following week. High pressure in charge so frosty nights and sunny days likely. There is a chance for some snowfall on Saturday.. and we will need it!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Took inspiration from this thread and have acquired myself some rock skis to have a crack at pen-y-fan, can’t wait (Although accepting that I will definitely have to)!
I’ll be coming over from
Bristol like a beast from the east- another one else Bristol based?
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.
great bit of early season skiing on the beacons. lets hope for far more.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Welcome aboard @danthemedic.
Yes Steve, happy with our November turns.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Great start of the season !
Is there any chance of sharing the locations of the ski runs or is it more the matter of heading up there ( Pen y Fan or Cadair Berwyn summit in the right conditions )
and looking for best lines ? ( this might be tricky in the cloud )
Wikiloc , Strava or just GPX track would be greatly appreciated.
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.
Cygnus wrote:
Great start of the season !
Is there any chance of sharing the locations of the ski runs or is it more the matter of heading up there ( Pen y Fan or Cadair Berwyn summit in the right conditions )
and looking for best lines ? ( this might be tricky in the cloud )
Wikiloc , Strava or just GPX track would be greatly appreciated.
The Beacons turns are pretty obvious.
Cwm Llwch - main bowl between Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan
Off Corn Du back towards Storey Arms
Off Pen-y-Fan towards Neuadd Reservoir
Off Cribyn towards Neuadd Reservoir
Off Cefn Crew ridge back towards Pont ar Daf car park
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Mike Pow, I've skied the Storey Arms route. As you know, it's grassy, which provides a soft bouncy base, and can be skied with very little snow cover. It was fun, but not particularly challenging. I was looking at the other options this summer. I remeber in one of your previous threads you described your long anticipated first descent of one of them, I can't remember which, but it looked great! They're all steep and rocky, and look to me like they would need a considerable snow cover to make them skiable?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Looking wintry next week. Some snowfall for sure but it may be transient!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Thanks for that ! Any word on Cadair Berwyn ?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Cygnus wrote:
Thanks for that ! Any word on Cadair Berwyn ?
Too early to say exactly where any snow will fall. However when precipitation is abundant and freezing levels more marginal, Berwyns or Snowdonia seem to do better. Sometimes the freezing level can be 1000ft+ lower just 50 miles to the north if that cold air doesn't quite extend far enough south.
If there's only a light dusting, I'd recommend the fields around Tyn y Ffridd. Cadair Berwyn itself is full of thick heather so you probably want a fair bit of cover to make it comfortable.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Judging by the Met Office historic snowcover maps/data.. and a couple of my own experiences this year and last, I'd hesitantly suggest that those gentle slopes around Tyn y Fridd would be the best spot in Wales to have an Allenheads type ski club with couple rope tows etc
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?
@Mouse555, Interesting idea . I remember in the 1980s someone tried to build an artificial slope just south of Merthyr Tydfil. The plan was that in the winter, it would be covered in snow and attract skiers from all over S Wales all season. As you point out, the freezing level is higher the further south you go, and IIRC, they had something like two days of snow in the first season and went bust.
On the other hand, a club might be viable. I'd consider signing up...
Obvious path from Pistyll Rhaeadr up to the glacial lake below Cadair Berwyn. All slopes fall back to this path.
From the summit of Cadair Berwyn, skier's left was grass and heather and mellow.
Skier's right, rocky and steeper.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
A couple of years ago I snapped some photo's of avy debris across the Berwyns path plus a second slab which was kicked off by some walkers on the steep ground above the Llyn.
The other classic Welsh ski is the ground on the Carneddau, from the ridge down to the A5 lay-by.
I also have my eye on Arenig Fawr area which has good main road access should we get a decent amount of snow. The Aran's are another possibility.
And the slopes avove Tal-y-Llyn facing Cadair Idris could be great car shuttle laps
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Ah, those slopes yep, been on my radar for years but not that high.
The north facing slopes up the road at Dinas Mawddwry pass are an option too.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Chamcham wrote:
@Mouse555,they had something like two days of snow in the first season and went bust.
On the other hand, a club might be viable. I'd consider signing up...
Yeah it's not something I'd expect to make a massive amount of money from
The potential is definitely there though. I'm not convinced Allenheads gets any more snow than higher areas of the Beacons. It's just easily accessible, more sheltered so probably a bit kinder with wind/visibility etc and doesn't need a lot of snow to get going.
There is a chance for some measurable snow on Sunday actually. Snow Forecast suggesting 7cm on 12pm run, but the models seem to be struggling with the fluctuations in temperatures as the lows move through. Maybe one to watch because Monday looks like a calmer day!
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.
I wonder how viable a snow factory would be at Allenheads? Elevated north facing valley 440m, grassy slope, sheltered by trees, mains power, unlimited water supply, evening range from Newcastle, Sledging option, pub next door.......
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Peter S wrote:
I wonder how viable a snow factory would be at Allenheads? Elevated north facing valley 440m, grassy slope, sheltered by trees, mains power, unlimited water supply, evening range from Newcastle, Sledging option, pub next door.......
Great idea. There'll be a guy touring the North East next week that will pay for it if you ask him nicely!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
