 Poster: A snowHead
|
After days of very powerful storms and immense snow drifting/filling ...
Scotland's five ski areas are revealing some of the greatest snow cover in history ... which should deliver a memorable Easter and classic late season!
Unusually, the snow depths are spectacular on both the eastern and western Highlands.
Check here for latest conditions:
http://www.winterhighland.info/
http://ski.visitscotland.com/
[this intro. to the thread is an edit on 23 March. The original post follows]
---------------------------------------
In a break from its normal conservative forecasting, the respected Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) has today predicted an unusually intense period of snow for the next 7 to 10 days or "possibly longer", particularly on the eastern mountains.
Forecast for Eastern Highlands (Cairngorm, The Lecht, Glenshee etc.)
http://www.mwis.org.uk/cjvgpooyrwpstzck/EH.PDF
Forecast for Western Highlands (Glencoe, Nevis Range etc.)
http://www.mwis.org.uk/cjvgpooyrwpstzck/WH.PDF
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 26-03-13 9:51; edited 7 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I know.....it's great isn't it!!
I have taken so many days off this week and if I take any more off I will need a note from my mum!! Still going to go skiing in Glenshee Monday and hopefully Wednesday so if anyone is around, gee's a shout!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
There's been quite an outbreak of global cooling here this winter. Sorry, we're meant to say climate change, now, aren't we?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Is there any window of clear spells next week, may have a little run up north if I can spot a weather window....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Well I was skiing in Glenshee for the first time today.
It was like a blizard. Not quite, just a bit like one. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That forecast is now 3 days old and - so far - proving to be on the money. The three eastern Scottish ski areas - Cairngorm, The Lecht and Glenshee - are all stormbound this morning, with snowloads of shed coming down. Glencoe and Nevis Range are open, with epic conditions and clearer overhead conditions. The BBC are forecasting better Highlands weather for tomorrow.
All in all, this is unfolding into one of the great ski seasons for Scotland ... season ticket holders are winners.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| krakatoa wrote: |
| season ticket holders are winners. |
Yep, if I don't ski another day this season, I'm already quids in from my 2012/2013 all area pass. I'm expecting to have skied 35-40 days by the end of the April including two Alps weeks. Some of the best conditions are still ahead too with May opening a real possibility again. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
access to glenshee possibly opening this morning (wed 20/3), they hope. tomorrow (thurs 21/3) looks to be very windy, so even if access is open it could be arctic oop top. further considerable snow possibly moving in friday and saturday, so if accompanied by wind (also expected) access could be the problem again. once it calms down a bit though, i'm going to try everything in my power to get the kids and shop looked after for a day and head for the hills with my wife. it sounds like it could be spectacular up there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I I'm taking myself and my family in for some Skiing at Cairngorm on Sun/Mon and Tues next week, I hope it eases up a bit otherwise our long trip up from the south will be well and truly stuffed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
moffatross, good numbers there for you 
I've only had 11 days total this season so far... need to sort that out!
Will let you know about the weekend coming asap
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
currently planning on going to glenshee on friday... would it be a good idea? road open? not so bad conditions at the top?... or should we wat for next week?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Cairngorm have just reported on Facebook that the funicular track is buried, along with the 'Elephant' fences - which are the really tall snowfences at the top of the White Lady run.
The last time the funicular track was buried - 2010? - I seem to recall the mountain estimating snow depths at that location around 7 metres. But that needs clarification - it might be a different part of the track.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Nice pics Comedy Goldsmith, in 2009-2010 the snow levels were so high that the gully in your second pic was completely filled with snow and the bridge and handrails were covered as well, wonder if I will ever see that again
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Looking really nice. Too bad I'm stuck in flatland for at least another day and a half! What are the odds of any of that lot remaining in place for the weekend? MWIS is suggesting it'll be a wee bit breezy...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| JBean wrote: |
| currently planning on going to glenshee on friday... would it be a good idea? road open? not so bad conditions at the top?... or should we wat for next week? |
MWIS can sometimes be a bit pessimistic, but not sounding good.
http://mwis.org.uk/sh.php?fdate=130322
How Windy?
East or south easterly, in the range 40 to 60mph; gusts on some higher summits and ridges may reach 80mph.
Effect Of Wind?
Severe upland gales, very difficult walking where exposed, particularly near higher major ridges and summits. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Widespread snow/whiteout
Snow now likely to be light and patchy, perhaps no more than flurries, and most likely toward the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest base east
Blanket low cloud across much of the region, base 600m to 850m, highest west Perthshire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| DidierCouch wrote: |
| JBean wrote: |
| currently planning on going to glenshee on friday... would it be a good idea? road open? not so bad conditions at the top?... or should we wat for next week? |
MWIS can sometimes be a bit pessimistic, but not sounding good.
http://mwis.org.uk/sh.php?fdate=130322
How Windy?
East or south easterly, in the range 40 to 60mph; gusts on some higher summits and ridges may reach 80mph.
Effect Of Wind?
Severe upland gales, very difficult walking where exposed, particularly near higher major ridges and summits. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Widespread snow/whiteout
Snow now likely to be light and patchy, perhaps no more than flurries, and most likely toward the south.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest base east
Blanket low cloud across much of the region, base 600m to 850m, highest west Perthshire. |
Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Just back from Glenshee
My little cousins (over)use a word but I can't think of any other word to describe what just happened to me up in Glenshee.
The word is EPIC, easily the best day skiing I have had up there in years and I even borrowed my mates ZAG H112's, he laughed when I text him that I was taking them from his garage but I was laughing the hardest when the wind dropped and I was skiing......in powder........in Glenshee.
Moo ha ha ha, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, I just won. 
Seriously, if the wind stays low and you are within hitting distance of Glenshee or anywhere else that has lots of snow, you should really think about coming up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
With you on that one Davidhammy.
Was up Glenshee today and it was amazing, day of the season so far.
Hopefully the guys up there get Coire Fionn and at least the North end/Trident gully on Glas Maol open tomorrow.
Riding parts of the area that have not been filled in for years!!
More snow on Friday = WOW ,just wow!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balls. Looking like I'll have to pass up on this weekend... with no car and limited ability to take an extra day off work it might be tricky to fit much skiing in 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Serriadh, not sure much is going to open with the gales forecast...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
£10 says Glenshee will be open at the weekend, whatever.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
An ongoing drama on Cairngorm. Just posted on their website:
| Quote: |
Last Updated on: 22/03/2013 08:11
SKI AREA CLOSED, ACCESS ROADS IMPASSABLE DUE TO BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AND SEVERE DRIFTING.
We will try and access the mountain tomorrow and give an update, however forecasts are for continuing high winds and drifting.
Ops 1 |
The Lecht's stormbound
Glenshee's reporting lifts open, but the panorama webcam is showing really wild weather right now ...
http://www.webcam-ski.com/webcams/interfaces/glenshee/interface.php?pk_interface=278&m=images&r=panoramique#depart
Glencoe is on hold until 9am
Nevis is stormbound
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Can anyone recommend any decent hotels/lodges/B&Bs in Aviemore that aren't very expensive or horrible?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and now Glenshee is closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| justatheory wrote: |
| Can anyone recommend any decent hotels/lodges/B&Bs in Aviemore that aren't very expensive or horrible? |
This is a bit 'off-piste' - Glenmore Lodge (national outdoor training centre) is at the foot of Cairngorm - but worth mentioning. It's a spectacular location, and very special in all sorts of ways. If you have a vehicle, or can get a lift from the guys at the Lodge, you'll be on the mountain much faster than driving the 9 full miles from Aviemore. They sell rooms on a B+B basis when courses don't fill them ...
http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/last-minute-article.asp?id=29
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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 photo came in from Cairngorm's operations crew today ... from the access road ...
They describe the location: "Just round from the Sugar Bowl carpark, probably more there just now, than during the Big Dig in 2010!. Hopefully get the Rolba blower on it tomorrow. No idea what it is like further up."
Source: https://www.facebook.com/CairnGormMtn?ref=stream
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Has the Cairngorm funicular track been overwhelmed by the rising snows of the White Lady?
Winterhighland's webmaster alan has captured a webcam image which - compared with the same view 10 days ago - suggests the track has been significantly covered for a stretch below the tunnel mouth ...
http://www.winterhighland.info/forum/read.php?2,149183,page=36
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Latest, Sunday 8-9am, is that Glencoe are re-opening this morning (on a limited basis initially) and will therefore be the first of the Scottish ski centres to do so ...
Facebook:
| Quote: |
Glencoe Mountain Resort
We are good to go this morning!!! Poma, cliffy and wall t-bar will all be running first thing. We will get the main basin running later. Blustery SE wind with occasional snow showers. Visibility variable. Lots of new snow to play on |
Nevis Range, the other western ski centre, is reviewing at 9am and should open if the wind level allows it.
Cairngorm and The Lecht are battling with drifts on their approach/access roads, with no confirmed news on expected re-start times.
Glenshee on Facebook:
| Quote: |
The wind has eased this morning and the snowploughs are working on clearing the roads but this will take most of the day.
We hope that if the weather allows we will be open on Monday |
Cairngorm access road this a.m.:
Source: http://www.facebook.com/CairnGormMtn
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This the scene (albeit hazy in the blowing snow) that presents a great challenge for the Cairngorm Ops crew in the coming hours and days: the elevated track of the funicular railway [Winterhighland webcam image captured this morning]. The track is elevated high above the mountain surface on most of that stretch.
It looks as if the drifts have generously topped the rails, a few hundred metres above the mid-station and below the tunnel mouth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brave man at summit of Glencoe ski area, 10am.
Please send him some skis!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This sight - Cairngorm's access road* this afternoon - will be familiar to those who've skied up there for the odd decade or two.
The snow cover now is absolutely ridiculous, by the look of things. More on Cairngorm's FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/CairnGormMtn
* Whoops. The access road shot is on FB. This is the side of the track of the funicular, which is supposed to be way clear of the snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
bash next weekend. Perhaps the week following when the sun comes out?
