 Poster: A snowHead
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We have been winter mountaineering in Scotland for over 25 years, but since learning to ski 5 years ago have skied in many places but not yet Scotland. we have the weekend off Friday 1st to Monday 4th so a quick break is in order. Through our climbing club we have accomodation at Kinlochleven so the plan was to arrive 2am on Friday, then ski Glencoe on New Years day. Just checked on Winterhighland for conditions and weather, only to discover Glencoe aren't bothering to open on New Years Day - it's a Bank Holiday ffs - do they put put getting pissed and lounging in bed ahead of running a business! If that's their proirities under new ownership they won't last long.
Even Nevis Range can't be bothered to open until 10am. Unfortunately, given thier other climate related problems they really haven't a hope if they display such contempt for customers - they need to remember, they need us more than we need them!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Unbelievable!
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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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It is impressive that they are open at all this early in the season, if conditions later in the week are anything like they are just now then you will have a good day anyway. OH NO, not open until 10?! Just have lunch on the go and you will make it back 
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RobinS, Nevis Range normally let climbers on the staff gondola when they head up early.... ring and ask
One other thing sunrise is 9am at this time of the year up here.....
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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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arv, We were planning to ski Glencoe, as it much closer to our accommodation - but they can't be bothered to open at all! I have emailed them and will post what they say!
This sort of thing just makes me despair for the tourist industry in Scotland (and I have been visiting for many decades), unfortunately they have absolutely no concept of providing for customers. When we were in Aviemore a few years ago at Christmas, Cairngorm was closed Christmas day, as were all bar one pub! On boxing day Cairngorm was closed again, because of wind this time, and even that one pub was shut!
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I've not driven from Kinlochleven to Nevis/Cairngorms but assuming you have to go via Glencoe Village it doesn't seem like there is too much of a difference, maybe 10 / 15 minutes.
I agree with you about the openings, I would have skied Nevis on Xmas day had it been open 
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Robin - Kinlochleven is (timewise) almost exactly half way between Nevis Range and Glencoe. So rather than get your knickers in a twist why not just ski there on the 1st Jan ? Then hit up Glencoe on the 2nd or 3rd - problem solved.
Rightly or wrongly New Year (aka Hogmanay) has always been one of the biggest national holidays in Scotland - and hardly anything will be open on the 1st January - even the pubs! Bummer the ski tows will also be closed on new years day - but it will give us the chance to go touring instead
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Realistically, there would be almost nobody on the slopes at any of the Scottish resorts on Christmas or New Year's Day. It doesn't make any sense for them to open. Different in an alpine resort with a captive, in-resort market.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Haggis_Trap, ditto
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| Haggis_Trap wrote: |
| Rightly or wrongly New Year (aka Hogmanay) has always been one of the biggest national holidays in Scotland - and hardly anything will be open on the 1st January - even the pubs! |
| stevomcd wrote: |
| Realistically, there would be almost nobody on the slopes at any of the Scottish resorts on Christmas or New Year's Day. It doesn't make any sense for them to open. Different in an alpine resort with a captive, in-resort market. |
Sums it up pretty well.
IMO theres too many things open on xmas and new years day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If they can't or won't make hay when the sun shines (so to speak), they might as well shut up shop.
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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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The staff are not on some grand wee wee up on Hogmanay, Glencoe will be closed on New Years Day because it's likely to be the quietest day (unlike CairnGorm or Nevis Range there is no captive holiday market for gondola and funicular rides, let alone skiers) and there is still work that needs to be done that would require key facilities to be unavailable for a day.
It is very rare for Glencoe to be open at this time of year, it's not the norm for the West Coast that needs an extensive base that slowly builds up and is often into Mid January before Glencoe is skiable, given this and the difficulty and protracted nature of the change in ownership it's nothing short of miraculous that Glencoe opened before New Year at all.
Another comment going about is regards cash only payments on site, this is entirely outwith their control. The minimum time to get card processing facilities is more than the time from the new owners taking charge and the season started. Glencoe had no staff from April till November, it's not the fault of the staff or the new owners.
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I have spent a great many Christmases and New Year's in that area climbing and mountain walking, and while I agree Christmas Day is very quiet (we did the Aonach Eagach on Christmas day one year, completely on our own), New Years Day is always pretty busy - I see no reason why Skiing should be different. One thing that is certain - if they don't open they won't get any customers, or have any chance of making any money.
I haven't "got my knickers in a twist" about it - the original plan was mountain walking anyway, but with reports of good skiing conditions we thought we would sample Scottish skiing for the first time - but they are obviously not keen on attracting us. (The two areas may a similar distance, but Glencoe is much quicker and easier to get to).
We probably will go to Nevis Range on the 1st, but after hearing how much Scottish ski resorts and Glencoe in particular want our business this customer unfriendly attitude does discourage me.
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You know it makes sense.
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RobinS, what part of
| Quote: |
| Rightly or wrongly New Year (aka Hogmanay) has always been one of the biggest national holidays in Scotland - and hardly anything will be open on the 1st January - even the pubs! |
makes you think Glencoe who are lucky to even be open this early and perhaps at all this season, don't want your business???
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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, On "one of the biggest national holidays in Scotland" an entertainment provider doesn't open. Providers of this sort are the very businesses that need to open when most potential customers are not at work.
The fact that Glencoe won't open on this bank holiday makes it plain that they don't want my business on one of the very few days they have the chance of it.
We often get threads on here asking if ski resorts will operate normally at Christmas or New Year, and the response is always yes - except in Scotland. As a frequent visitor to Scotland for other activities, I would like to see Scottish skiing thrive, but they have to become a true service industry.
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Poster: A snowHead
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kitenski, they have chosen to be shut; ergo they don't want his business. It is that simple.
Scotland is climatically marginal for skiing. ISTM that anyone wanting to run a successful operation would have at the core of their strategy the maximisation of revenue whenever conditions happen to be good. That requires agility on all fronts (operations, personnel, etc) including marketing to potential local customers the possibility of a non-traditional New Year's Day. Not easy, but if they won't try, they don't deserve anyone's sympathy IMV.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I assume you all know what happened with Glencoe this past year, I'm not surprised they are not 100% fully operational given they were bust and not going to open at all.
Get over it, goto Nevis or one of the other open areas....
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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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I don't know why, but on Ski Club GB website, none of the Scottish resorts have been updated since 24th December and Glencoe is showing as shut when it's open.
Nevis, Glenshee & Lecht all have fantastic panoramic webcams. 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| RobinS wrote: |
kitenski, On "one of the biggest national holidays in Scotland" an entertainment provider doesn't open. Providers of this sort are the very businesses that need to open when most potential customers are not at work.
The fact that Glencoe won't open on this bank holiday makes it plain that they don't want my business on one of the very few days they have the chance of it.
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I drove past the dry ski slope in Bracknell yesterday (holiday) and there was 1 person on it...
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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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handyman, I'll have a word with the snow reporter
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RobinS, I was up with about 10 people at Nevis Range yesterday, I can tell you now that on New Years day every one of them would be risking their license by driving on NYs day. I'd imagine most of Scotland is the same.
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arv, their alcohol intake is their business, of course. Let's hope none of them whines hypocritically the next time one of the ski areas goes bust (perhaps permanently) because they prefer nursing a hangover to skiing in great conditions.
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bertie bassett, only because my missus wouldn't let me take my skis. Had to visit in-laws in Binfield and drove right past it. Somehow I've managed never to ski there.
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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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Sideshow_Bob, Something similar myself - although not sure I would have let a lack of skis bother me - after all it is dendex so I wouldn't want to use my piste skis.
the point I was making (somewhat tangentially) was that perhaps the 'demand' is over-exaggerated by the keen ones on here - and that was my closest point of reference. Personally I was really surprised that it wasn't busier but then judging by the tailback along the M4/A33 junction on the Sunday arvo, everyone was either watching footie or sale shopping.
Guess the question is really does the 'average punter' want to go skiing in Glencoe during hogmany?
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| Quote: |
laundryman wrote,
arv, their alcohol intake is their business, of course. Let's hope none of them whines hypocritically the next time one of the ski areas goes bust (perhaps permanently) because they prefer nursing a hangover to skiing in great conditions
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Why would you blame the whole nation when it's 1 persons decision whether or not to open his business, for all you know the guy could be English you spaz.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Oh the irony... someone who has never skied in Scotland putting the industry (and nation?) to rights on an internet forum 
Happy New Year all !
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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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geeo, Haggis_Trap, I merely observe:
- Scotland provides marginal skiing territory
- Scots people on here, not me, have observed that on the whole, Scots (even keen skiers) would rather not ski on New Year's Day, whatever the conditions - and I pass no judgement on that (but it wouldn't be my preference)
- in the circumstances, Scots skiers can't complain if their resorts perpetually teeter on the edge of bankruptcy
- one might think that a proprietor, be he Scots, English, French, American or Martian might bend his will to encouraging as many people as possible to make use of the facility when conditions are good.
But please, be as offended as you like.
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You know it makes sense.
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| barry wrote: |
I bet you give out stink in Spain if you cant get bangers and mash and Eastenders - so what if its in Spain, they should be providing my culture not their own  ). |
How much?
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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if, traditionally, hardly any one ever skis on one specific day of the year (1st Jan) in Scotland and the resorts do not open on that day, what is the big issue
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
if, traditionally, hardly any one ever skis on one specific day of the year (1st Jan) in Scotland and the resorts do not open on that day, what is the big issue
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some english tw4t wants to go skiing and is having a cry cos it's not open 
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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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laundryman, maybe our culture is to blame, not the ski centres 
Even if I only had a few drinks around the bells, I wouldn't want to be getting in the car at 6am to drive.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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As someone who was very successful in the leisure industry a while back, I can categorically tell you that. 1) New years day is always dead. 2) Location Location Location. Ther eis a market for a resort type place eg Nevis and Cairngorm. But somewhere like Glencoe will be dead because you need to drive there. 3) Some people drink the night before and should not be in their car before 1-2pm so would not e fit to drive legally  4) Everyone deserves a holiday on that day no matter what. 5) the same applies to Christmas day and you wouldn't expect folk to work on that.
Cheers
Bob
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Well I have had a very pleasant and reasonable from Andy Meldrum at Glencoe. The reasons they are shut on New Years Day are briefly:
Shortage of staff.
The staff they have have worked hard to open and want a day off.
Seasonal staff are likely to not turn up due to hangovers.
Closing that day will enable them to prepare better for the rest of the weekend.
I do understand his reasoning, but what he, and some of the other anti english posters on here (
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some english tw4t wants to go skiing and is having a cry cos it's not open Little
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) is that with the existing (mainly Scottish) custom the ski industry is going down the pan. Glencoe has already gone bust once (or is it twice?) in the last few years - the same old attitude will only make it happen again - and that attitude is most evident in posters on here - Andy Meldrum does not display the take it or leave it attitude of some Snowheads.
This will not spoil our trip in the slightest, we will probably ski Nevis on 1st (weather allowing), and go mountaineering on the 2nd when the ski centres will be rammed as I hate crowds.
Much of my frustration is because we hear so much about the plight of Scottish ski centres, and are exhorted to go there (frequently by posters on here) but they do not seem prepared to actually encourage the new customers they so desperately need. Given that it is a long weekend, with good snow, and a good forecast they should be promoting the weekend to potential new customers rather than just catering for the "tradition" that caused them to go bust in the first place.
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| RobinS wrote: |
| ....Much of my frustration is because we hear so much about the plight of Scottish ski centres, and are exhorted to go there (frequently by posters on here) but they do not seem prepared to actually encourage the new customers they so desperately need. Given that it is a long weekend, with good snow, and a good forecast they should be promoting the weekend to potential new customers rather than just catering for the "tradition" that caused them to go bust in the first place. |
Seems fair comment.
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Some good points raised and some silly ones
Most Scots wont want to go skiing on new years day, so we cant complain if Glencoe goes bust? Complete rubbish. Im sure plenty of people who arent present on new years day will make plenty of visits to the hill in the coming season.
Also - Glencoe doesnt want to attract new customers simply because it isnt open on new years day? I cannot see much logic there. Where is the proof that it would be a profitable day to operate?
Consider the evidence against opening on new years day...due to the location it is a drive/public transport only site - no public transport to the hill which leaves driving only - not many are willing to sacrifice there hogmany celebration to get up the next morning and go skiing. Fair enough that some would like to ski but - it would seem that Glencoe arent equipped to provide for the needs of a customer of this kind.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Skola, if Glencoe is serious about being attractive to skiers outside Scotland, then I would have thought New Year's day should be a must. Granted that would mean proper marketing, advertising and press releases. I fully accept it can do what it likes - but I do believe that no New Year's Day opening = not bothered abut attracting the non-Scottish public.
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Wow. Just. Wow.
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