Fishwins, I've looked down those as a casual observer in summer and they're steep!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Easy Gully must surely win the award for being the most ironically named skiable gully?
I've been up at CairnGorm for two afternoons days since that epic at Nevis Range 5 days ago - 'Gorm isn't as good as the backs in the West, but still some fun to be had
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?
This really is turning out to be a pretty stunning March/April this year - any bets for how long the snow will last?
I reckon there must be enough snow for skiing into May, IIRC we managed it at Cairngorm into the second week of May in 2006 - anyone think it may last later?
After some brilliant days in Scotland over this season I think I may be tempted into a little trip up for the May Day bank holiday, just to have a last ski (on snow) for the season - anyone else fancy an end of Scottish season ski at around that time?
Mind you, it may last into June, I've skied in June up there before!
Its fairly warm this week, but another northerly blast with snow down to low levels is being forecast for this weekend. Fairway off yet, and not sure how much snow there will be, but it is looking promising .The last day of lift served sking in 05/06 season was May 7th at Cairngorm. Wasn't exactly brilliant snow in the resort - only the Ptarmigan was really skiable, but there was good snow over the back. I expect (bar tropical downpours) that the snow should be good well into April and there should be some lift served skiing somewhere in Scotland.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Having learned to ski at Glenshee in the late 70's and having had some awesome skiing there over those formative years, it has been depressing hearing the tales of woe over the last decade. A friend is part of the consortium that own Glenshee and she has made it clear how tough it has been.
This thread - all 13 pages - is a testament to the fact that there is scope to enjoy good skiing in the UK and that despite the climate change crisis winter 08 will go down in the annals of history as a classic.
Maybe moving to the Alps was a drastically unnecessary measure....
....and maybe not, but you know what I mean.
After all it is free
After all it is free
roga, I can't remember which year in the 90s it was, but I missed a winter here, stayed in Scotland and we skied non-stop from the end of October to mid May. I stopped skiing on my birthday 21st May 'cos I was sick of it by then! Some friends did ski on mid-summer's day on the Ptarmigan though.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Easiski, my birthday is the 21st of May too!!
I skied on my 21st birthday at Nevis - was a cracking day. Skied Glencoe the following week as well! That was 1993.
I'm going to Copper on Friday and in a way I wish I wasn't as I've been so busy getting ready for the trip, it has stopped me going up north. Can't wait until I get back though on the 12th!!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
easiski wrote:
roga, I can't remember which year in the 90s it was, but I missed a winter here, stayed in Scotland and we skied non-stop from the end of October to mid May.
Yes, there was a very late one in the early 90s as I recall, it's probably when I remember skiing in early June.
Quote:
I stopped skiing on my birthday 21st May 'cos I was sick of it by then!
LOL, I'm shocked!
I'm another one with a May birthday, 25th in my case, and I'm sure I can remember skiing in the Ptarmigan bowl on and after my birthday on a couple of occasions in a t-shirt! The snow was that really nice spring snow you can get in Scotland, lovely conditions and really relaxing with people by the Ptarmigan restaurant sunbathing in the snow Afterwards I remember heading down to Loch Morlich and wandering along the shore in the sun and, still in salopettes, rolling them up for a paddle in the water - a fantastic end to a day on the hill and something I'd love to repeat
Not sure if it was that year or the following one but I had one of my most memorable days on Cairngorm just after Easter. I camped at the Glenmore campsite for a week with my family and headed up the hill every morning. I woke up most mornings to sunshine and nice fresh temperatures but one morning it was overcast and drizzling down at Glenmore, it was so grey and miserable that I considered not heading up but in the end decided to go. Heading up the White Lady on the chair from the Cas (yup, the good old days before the funicular ) I found myself breaking through the clouds, which it turned out were very low that day, into brilliant sunshine and amazing views from the top. The cloud seemed to be lying across much of Scotland so from the top you could see every high peak across the country sticking up through a sea of clouds - amazing views and gorgeous skiing in the sun knowing everyone below was wandering around in drizzle and rain unaware of how lovely it was higher up.
Quote:
Some friends did ski on mid-summer's day on the Ptarmigan though.
Cool, it still happens you know - the Winterhighland and Highland Instinct guys hike up Cairngorm most years and head to whichever snowfields are still available, have a ski and then a barbie - I suspect there may be some pretty big survivals for mid summer this year although I'm not sure the Ptarmigan will be one of them, but you never know
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Incredible shot from Monday at Nevis Range - who would have though that was in the UK!
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.
^ yup, gorgeous isn't it
It's taken in the main ski area rather than in the back corries and the higher peak in the bacground is Ben Nevis - looks rather good from that angle
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
roga, Yes I though that was Ben Nevis.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
roga,
Interesting that there seems to have been a lot more snow at Nevis since we were there at easter. Some piccies looking down the quad chair show complete cover with the runs pisted out to at least three bashers wide along side the fence http://www.winterhighland.info/2006/pix/displaypic.php?id=7744,460 yet when we were there the runs down to the quad chair were just a strip of snow along the fence line between 1 and 2 piste bashers wide at the most.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Does anyone know about the touring possiblities in the range between the resort and ben nevis in the picture I posted, looks fantastic??
any info greatly received....
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Dave Horsley, yes, the runs in the various piccies look far wider than even a few weeks ago so I guess you're right about there being loads more snow - looks pretty fantastic at the moment!
norris, the steeps you can see in the photo on the mountain between Nevis range and Ben Nevis were being skied when we were there back in January - I remember standing at the top of a big drop just beyond the skier in the photo you posted and seeing tiny dots that were moving. When we watched for a while we realised it was a party of maybe 20 or 30 skiers or boarders doing an off piste route. I'd guess they must have been guided or something but it seemed like a surprisingly big party, I don't know who does guiding though.
A good place to ask in depth about off-piste and touring in this area would be on Winterhighland but the forum is temporarily down for a few days. There's Highland Instinct as well which is temporarily offering a forum whilst WH is down so you could ask there - there certainly seem to be some amazing off-piste routes in Scotland, particularly in conditions like those available now.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
roga, 20 - 30 skiers!!!
Thanks for the info, once the winterhighland forum is back I shall ask. Hoping to get up there in April and do some exploring, they look pretty loaded with snow so it should last a while....
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?
Ask on HighlandInstinct, its taking up the slack at the moment, but isn't as busy as Winterhighland - post aren't keeping me busy at work at the moment
norris, A vid from last year of said mountain CMD starts at 2:30 mins.... http://youtube.com/v/UROg_GhnnaE
I have the full version of this film, most of it is filmed in the grey corries (these are directly next to Nevis Range on the other side and have fantastic cover at the moment see photo attched from Monday)
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
All this has got me itching to go to Aonach Mor and Glencoe next weekend. With cold winds and snow forecast for this Sunday/Monday, it seems that the following weekend could be promising. If so, is there any interest for meeting up or a car share from Gloucestershire or Midlands? No ideas about timing or accommodation but those pedantries can always be made to fit
II, fantastic and inspiring stuff .....................all incredible lines, what time of years was most this filmed, looks like spring snow mostly?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
The best CMD film I've seen is here, made by the same guy but with more material:
http://youtube.com/v/gewPyUxuRBY
I'm just waiting for a combination of good weather with a favourable avalanche risk, and I'll be there. The slopes there are loaded just now with lots of avalanche debris and activity, so need to wait for them to stablilise. Watch this space...
In other news, I was back up CairnGorm again yesterday, spent the day on the West Wall which had perfect spring snow. The last 50m or so back to the poma is dodgy, but should improve with the snow forecast
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.
easiski, I've just been told that the snow in the Cairngorms is terrible - unfortunately, I heard this over breakfast at the Cairngorm Hotel...it's been raining since Wed, and my informant said he came down early then because snow quality was so poor. I'm going to go for a little walk in the rain, but I do plan to visit the snowfield in a little while, so I'll report back later.
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
I skied up at Cairngorm yesterday, had great day. Snow was wet and very sticky, but it was still skiable - may make it bullet proof over the weekend though once temps fall back. I skied mainly the Ciste gulley and the West Wall run. Ciste Gulley was complete as far as the marked traverse out and beyond. The hole just below the traverse last week had filled so i continued on hoping to get to the board walk. The climbres/walkers boot holes made for an interesting ski. Got a few hundered metres further before the first large hole appeared - this was avoidable, but the snow completeley disappeared about 50m before the board walk. I traversed out on foot, the West wall run actually got closer to the board walk than the gulley. The snow on both the West wall and the traverse out from the gulley ended about 50m above the WWpoma, but it was possible to ski down the tow track as the tow was very quiet. M1 and Lady were both skiable and good, though getting narrow in places. Cas and gunbarrel, probably had the best least sticky snow. I skied back to base via the Fiacall ridge poma tow track.
I also had a brief look into Ciste Mhearaid and upto the summit - some very big snow fields over the back at Cairngorm
Quote:
it's been raining since Wed,
Not on the mountain it hasn't - I was there all day Thursday - mix of sunshine and cloud and it didn't rain once more misinformation!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
oh crumbs i'm getting the overnight train to aviemore tonight, really really hope its good! They don't close the mountain when it snows do they?
i'm panicking, sorry!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:
oh crumbs i'm getting the overnight train to aviemore tonight, really really hope its good! They don't close the mountain when it snows do they?
Sometimes, if they can't get the road ploughed out. Wind might be more of a problem with opening the lifts. You'll probably be OK for Saturday as there isn't that much snow forecast. Sunday my be more problematically, but they'll probably get it open. Not sure about the wind though. May be limited to the train and Cas side - have to wait and see. Forecast is for 30-50mph winds in a northerly direction - should be along the tow lines which will help. However CML have had the habit of not opening the Ciste side in very poor conditions.
What you need is touring kit, then, even if the Glenmore gates are closed, you can get the bus to glenmore and walk/skin up to make your turns .
I'm sure evrything will turn out OK. SAee you there on Saturday .
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
oh thank you very much!
My husband is only a beginner boarder so we will probably spend most time up the top of the train (if that is the right area!).
see you tomorrow!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
snowbunnie, as Dave says should be okay.
Well done for trying Scotland and have a great time
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?
snowbunnie,
If its open the top will be a good area, if not the Cas should be Ok, as long as he can ride a T-bar. If he has problems send him up with a skier.
we both have trouble on Ts! I'm sure we'll cope, I apologise now if i knock anyone out of the way when I'm falling off.
One last question: Is there a hire place up the mountain or will we need to visit somewhere in town?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Yes there is hire up the mountain, but i have no experience of it. Might be better in town, as can hire in advance and avoid the queues. Might be worth asking here:
http://www.highland-instinct.co.uk/forum/list.php?1
where you may get a veiw from someone who has used the different ski hire places.
Looks like Nevis and the west are once again the place to go (and I'll bet Glencoe is as good if not better!).
Just had a press release from Nevis:
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Awesome spring skiing & boarding at Nevis Range
Today is another blue skies day ...
Spring may be on its way and yes, the snow outwith the main runs is beginning to thaw and the lower runs are narrowing .... However, the upper runs are still wide and the snow today is soft spring snow giving nice skiing at all levels. The summit park and the Back Corrie were open today, giving fantastic skiing and boarding, see photo to left and the website for more photos.
The forecast for the weekend is for sunshine & occasional snow showers, along with northerly winds which are unlikely to affect our operations. We will assess the Back Corrie and the Braveheart chair on a day by day basis.
Join us in our SPRING FLING this weekend - Ski, Board or Sledge in fancy dress for your chance to win lunch for FREE. Both Saturday and Sunday!
Check the latest conditions at nevisrange.co.uk
See you in April!
Nevis Range team
----------------------------------------------------------
Some photos from today are on their site here, including piccies of the still loaded back corries and the Goose also looking great.
Good PR from Nevis Range as always - well done them
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
bums. is nevis far from aviemore? From the tone on the highland instinct forum it sounds like the cairngorms are terrible
After all it is free
After all it is free
snowbunnie, About a 1 hour drive from Aviemore to Nevis Range
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
ouch.
oh well, hope its not as icy as they are predicting tomorrow
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
You said your not very confident on tows and that your husband is a beginner boarder - you'll find Cairngorm is better suited for you than Nevis.
Cairngorm has nice beginer runs in the ptarmigan bowl that are full width, plus the 105 and Cas which are also full width. You can get to the Ptarmigan bowl via the train where there are then two easyish T bars and a very easy short fixed poma. The Cas is served by a easyish T'bar, but can also be reached via the train by skiing down the Traverse from the top.
Looking at the Nevis webcams the beginners slopes which are near the gondola top station are looking very narrow. The best runs are in the back corries, off the summit button and the goose and probably off the Warrens T-bar. All those runs bar the runs off the summit button are reds or blacks, to get to the summit button you need to do a long steep T-bar. So I reckon Cairngorm is the best bet. All assuming Cairngorm is able to open.
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