 Poster: A snowHead
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Its still going to be an epic winter, remember those too hot days in the highlands in the summer when blasting on Loch Lochy in a short suit we thought that summer would never end. For every action there is an equal an op... 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
March 2012 had NO lifts turning at all in Scotland as all the snow disappeared - but it then returned for skiing in April.
No one knows what the good old UK weather is going to do - but the one thing that those of us who actually ski in Scotland (as opposed to just slating it online...) do know is that it's not definitely over yet.... |
Agreed.
My last ski day in Scotland in 2018 was 30th April at Glencoe.
Equivalent this year will be over 10 weeks away, plenty time for good snow.
..........having said all that, I was playing tennis in The Meadows (Edinburgh) with my son yesterday in a short sleeved t-shirt !!!
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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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@larry1950, thanks. Definitely pushes me westwards (not that I'm likely to go to CG at the mo anyway), though presumably there's a back way to Glenshee?
And I too, near Carlisle, have been out in the garden, listening to the spring birdsong, admiring the daffodils and other bulbs and buds bursting forth, pruning the trees, reminding myself it's far, far too early to plant stuff as it'll only get iced and snowed on... Honest.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes @Grizzler, you can follow the A93 from Perth to Glenshee via Scone and Blairgowrie.
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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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Here in the Peak District it was decidedly spring like yesterday but me and @talbyem my 19 year old daughter were today planning a few days of Scottish snow at some point in the next 2 1/2 months before the winter is done in those sub Arctic lands!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Glenshee last weekend was FABULOUS.
Checked my bases after every run.
My heart aches for all those good ski people right now.
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A couple days of snow and then a week of rain ahead.
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at the risk of being as grumpy as Whitegold, Nevis Range seem to have decided the ski season is over!
Time for Uplift! From Monday 18th of February our bike tracks will be open to the public! Both the World Cup Downhill Track & Top Chief will be open to ride! Uplift Passes are just £25 per Adult & £18.50 per Child. Winter Season Ticket Holders will be able to use there passes to access the tracks until the 1st of April! #NevisRange #FortWilliam www.nevisrange.co.uk
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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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Blimey... you get more of a run at chillfactore and that's saying something!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'd guess it's a half term trip that was pre-planned???
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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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^^^
Lets hope they get a refund if that's the case... 
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If you look at the Glenshee carpark there is a bus there which means it is probably school children having lessons, it was very different a week ago.
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You know it makes sense.
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Braehead was rubbish today too. Mobbed & it must have been the stickiest snow I've ever been on.
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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 wrote: |
at the risk of being as grumpy as Whitegold, Nevis Range seem to have decided the ski season is over!
Time for Uplift! From Monday 18th of February our bike tracks will be open to the public! Both the World Cup Downhill Track & Top Chief will be open to ride! Uplift Passes are just £25 per Adult & £18.50 per Child. Winter Season Ticket Holders will be able to use there passes to access the tracks until the 1st of April! #NevisRange #FortWilliam www.nevisrange.co.uk |
I think it's just a way for people to make use of their seasons pass. I feel really bad for anyone who bought one this year, only about 10 reasonable days so far. BUT it is only just gone mid February! Fingers crossed that polar vortex that has blessed Canada will swing on down our way. I'm not putting the skis in the loft just yet 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Poor old Scotland. They just need the mountains to be 2,000 feet taller.
Bit surprising that this situation doesn't happen more frequently.
Fingers crossed for a change of fortune.
I think March is often better than Feb - this season it couldn't be any worse!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Neil Neige, though climate is probably more of the problem than height. Height would help in terms of temperature, but would also mean even more closures due to wind or access road problems.
Proximity to the sea, gulf stream, Atlantic weather systems, humidity, wind, lack of trees and lack of snowmaking are all issues (and all linked to each other).
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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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No Neil Neige, this non-winter is a very unusual situation - Scotland can normally be relied on for snow cover (at altitude at least) from November/December through to April/May.
Not to mention the years that the lifts have run in October, or when we have ski toured into late June. Hoping that this winter is just a blip - but haven't given up all hope of more Scottish turns just yet...
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
No Neil Neige, this non-winter is a very unusual situation - Scotland can normally be relied on for snow cover (at altitude at least) from November/December through to April/May.
Not to mention the years that the lifts have run in October, or when we have ski toured into late June. Hoping that this winter is just a blip - but haven't given up all hope of more Scottish turns just yet... |
Weren't we in almost the same situation two years ago? Before two years ago, I think there were a few bumper seasons in a row.
I love Scottish skiing and have travelled up from near London in two of the last four seasons, and will come again this year if possible. Had a great Easter w/e last year and a glorious May bank holiday at Glen Coe two years ago.
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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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| denfinella wrote: |
@Neil Neige, though climate is probably more of the problem than height. Height would help in terms of temperature, but would also mean even more closures due to wind or access road problems.
Proximity to the sea, gulf stream, Atlantic weather systems, humidity, wind, lack of trees and lack of snowmaking are all issues (and all linked to each other). |
Good points well made, as they say! The wind is a major problem especially at Nevis range. The gondola was shut on both of my last two trips. Luckily Glen Coe was open both times. Guess lack of gondola access makes it more wind resistant.
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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 is an unusually not good season so far. Not the only one, mind you. Hoping that it can still get better, but the forecast is mainly warm, so I don't know if they'll get any base down again; possibly a few opportunistic days at best (unless there's a sudden change and pronged dumps - possible, but...)
Cairngorm might remain with something still useable up top - but since this year you can't actually get up there (bar walking or skinning), bang goes that oft- used last resort option,vespecislly for later March/April. Even Lecht, which also could have desperate possibilities, has been made hard and very long to get to by the roads maintenance folk (for us southern sassies, anyhows).
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The A939 Gairnshiel Bridge reopened on the 11th, much quicker than expected. Closure was due to parapet damage by an HGV.
This has become a significantly more common problem in the last few years! Grounding vehicles are a pain but don’t damage the bridge, but long or wide loads that can’t cleanly take the corner to the immediate North are as they can knock chunks of masonary from the parapet into the river.
A weight limit was introduced to restrict vehicle size but it’s routinely flouted. Bridge was opened in 1753 but the council decided last year that enough was enough and its going to be replaced - though when is anyone’s guess.
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@haggishunter, thanks for the update. I know that problem down here!
So we can now get up the back way, I assume? All we need is some more worthwhile snow.
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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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Just got back from The Lecht and managed just a day and a half before all the snow disappeared. I feel sorry for all the resorts this year as the season so far has been carp. I wonder why they don't invest some money and make the short beginners slopes artificial so they're less reliant on real snow? At least then beginners and learners would have something.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Looking like Scotland's worst ski season since records began.
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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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| Whitegold wrote: |
| Looking like Scotland's worst ski season since records began. |
Without a doubt. March and April are good but I fear for them without a base. The webcam pictures are startling for February.
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| denfinella wrote: |
@Neil Neige, though climate is probably more of the problem than height. Height would help in terms of temperature, but would also mean even more closures due to wind or access road problems.
Proximity to the sea, gulf stream, Atlantic weather systems, humidity, wind, lack of trees and lack of snowmaking are all issues (and all linked to each other). |
Spot on, and if climate change switches off the gulf stream they could be plenty high enough!
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You know it makes sense.
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Peak of winter...
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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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| Whitegold wrote: |
Peak of winter...
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Worrying but, then again, Loch Morlich not a prime skiing destination!
However, only patches on the hills so fair point. Week ahead looking colder/snowier but probably not colder/snowier enough to make much difference...
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Poster: A snowHead
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Heavy rain and 3C in the Central Belt this evening...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| denfinella wrote: |
| Heavy rain and 3C in the Central Belt this evening... |
The west is pretty dry,wasn't raining much where we are just West of Glasgow that I saw. I was walking around Arrochar yesterday , a dusting on the tops but not much else and fairly dry.
Edit
It rained overnight and the tops are definitely white.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Latest from Glencoe:
It's snowing heavily on the mountain today and runs are filling in well. The plan (weather permitting) tomorrow is to have the Access Chair, Coire Pollach, Cliffy Chair and the Main Basin T-bar all running.
However please note the upper mountain will only be suitable for experienced skiers and snowboarders as expected to be largely unpisted and mid mountain will be pretty challenging. Coire Pollach thanks to the Snowfactory should provide nice skiing for beginners and early intermediates.
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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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Closed due to wind today.
Can't catch a break.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Glencoe opened for about 10mins today, then sent everyone back down. Understandable, as it was pretty wild up there, though surprised they opened in the first place. Tomorrow should be much better and the upper mountain it looking like it has loaded up a bit. Hope it doesn't get stripped away on Thursday with a spike in temps again forecast and strong winds.
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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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Drove through earlier today - absolutely terrible weather. But loading up - back up Friday for the weekend which looks like it may be pub bound - shame
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