 Poster: A snowHead
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Given the current conditions we're thinking about a trip this weekend. Thing is, last time I was in Cairngorm they had a limited supply of rental gear, and stopped selling lift tickets at about 0930 to keep the numbers on the hill down.
Due to a number of cock-ups (gf has an all-day job interview in Doncaster friday, my rock skis are at my parents house meaning a detour) we may end up getting to Cairngorm at 1030 ish saturday morning and may need some hire gear. Any scottish locals know if this is going to be a problem?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You may get a quicker reply over at winterhighland, in the forums
http://www.winterhighland.info/forum/list.php?2
If I was you I'd drive up Friday night, maybe stop over at a travelodge north of Glasgow, then get cracking early Sat am!
Good luck, looks potentially very good up there!
regards,
Greg
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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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Plake. You need to keep an eye on factors which could affect this:
1. Whether the A9 is clear
2. Whether the ski access road is clear
3. Whether (as you say) the mountain is blitzed by demand
I'd keep The Lecht and Glenshee as options. Cairngorm's capacity is not what it was, due to lifts being taken out of service. Sadly.
Greg's right, that you really need to be up there overnight to be up the hill really early and catch your luck.
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brian
brian
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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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Brian, not sure I'd agree with recommending West coast vs the East, I don't think the west has caught any of the recent snow, compared to what looks like compared with waist deep drifts on the 'gorm!!
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brian
brian
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gregh, I've been watching the radar. Nevis has caught some snow and on-piste will be nice.
However, you're right, I would imagine Cairngorm will be skiable anywhere. But if you can't get there till 10.30, need a bus to get round to the Cas, etc. Nevis might be a better option to make the most of the day.
Plus if the cloud is down, which is more likely at the Gorm, it will be skiing by touch only, which is always entertaining 
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just seen the webcams from Cairngorm, guess today looks like the best day of the season!!!
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brian
brian
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gregh, can't believe I'm stuck in Reading 
Home tonight though, I think a cheeky wee Friday off may be required ....
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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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Tell me about it! I'm due in Bracknell/Reading next week, then I have a 2 day meeting in Glasgow, I cannot see how to get a sneaky day on the hills, esp as Thursday is my daughters birthday!!
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There are photos of Nevis Range today (Thurs) up on Winterhighland now at http://www.winterhighland.info/2006/pix/pixalbum.php?pix_id=211
Jamie was attempting to get to CairnGorm with the aid of ScotRail last I head, so try HighlandInstinct later tonight and there maybe some pics of the gorm up, by all accounts the best day since late nov/early dec, maybe even better.
It is going to be an epic weekend, snow is lying at low levels and making the national news, so that will awaken interest, esp with the Winter Olympics having just wound up. If your heading to the 'Gorm or the Lecht get there early to get in the main carparks, if you are wishing to hire gear definately get up the mountains early, or alternatively hire off mountain wherever you are going.
I wouldn't be suprised if we see a repeat of scenes of Sun 29th Feb 2004 at the Lecht this weekend, if they get to the stage of parking on the A939 please give some thought to the fact this is a not insignficant through road, please do not park in the gaps left in the parking lines to allow oncoming traffic to pass, on that day in 2004 people thought it would be a good idea to park in these spaces, leaving a good 1/2mile plus with no space for oncoming traffic to pass.... think before you park! Mind you the road rage on display from irrate drivers who meet oncoming traffic and had to reverse for ages was good enterainment value while waiting for the Harrier Poma!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Winterhighland, Nevis looks brilliant! No pix yet of Cairngorm today.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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Argh! Wish I could go to Scotland!
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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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All lifts from the Cas Carpark will run so for good skiers and boarders getting up from the Carpark shouldn't be too bad for queues, but the ticket office will probably be another story, so get there early. If there was a time for the Ciste Chair and ticket office being open this weekend is it... There should be 16 operating lifts on the Gorm this weekend... enough said 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Possibly wait till next weekend for better conditions? A nice birthday treat for me!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We'll be up there, trying not to think about the early , early start from Edinburgh though.
I'll have a snowheads sticker on my helmet or board.
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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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And the guys (and girls) working up there are the nicest people you will meet on the slopes!
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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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Today at the gorm was one of the best (anywhere in the world) I've had.
Deep untracked powder and the queues were surprisingly bearable as they'd opened up nearly all the terrain.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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prog99 - really thrilled to hear that!
I remember skiing up there on a May 1st with those kinds of conditions. I wish I could remember which year - must have been late 70s/early 80s. A really great day on Cairngorm is a memory to really treasure, especially when the off-piste really opens up widely with great snow conditions (so rare).
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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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brian
brian
Guest
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Fiona, Stuart at the Blues repair shop down at Tiso's at Leith can work wonders on your bases 
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FAQ
which was a pretty amazing feeling 
, I even managed to
