General Situation // Scottish Ski & Winter Activity Report // Winterhighland

CairnGorm alone now is open for lift served snowsports, in the Ptarmigan Bowl and still top to middle for more experienced skiers and boarders via the White Lady. We are now seeing classic spring conditions under high pressure with diurnal freeze/thaw cycling, and with each cycle with the old base snow yielding up classic granular spring snow corn.

For those prepared to earn their turns the Main Basin and Spring Run have also offered up superb spring snow at Glencoe, but only the Access Chairlift is running.

On CairnGorm, surface lift operation is now limited to just the Ptarmigan Tow and the Polar Express Trainer Tow in the Top Basin, giving access to the Ptarmigan Traverse and Bowl, plus the terrain park. Top to mid-station riding is still on via the White Lady (red) for advanced skiers and boarders with uplift via the Funicular giving 1300ft of vertical. The White Lady may be closed first thing if the snow sets up hard overnight, but it should loosen quickly in the coming days.

While the Traverse retains snow, Coire Cas is now broken and patchy. To access the White Lady use the top section of the M1 Poma uptrack before cutting right onto the White Lady.

With the White Lady having a still fairly robust base from the SE storms in January, the old snow has been offering up superb spring corn snow once it loosens up, but it has been solid first thing. With a bit of cloud and more humid air Sunday / Monday, it may be softer earlier.

If you are prepared to do the leg work (either to skin back up or walk over the Windy Ridge to the funicular) the Ciste Gully is complete to the level of the fence above the former boardwalk and should similarly offer up superb spring snow turns. The Ciste Mhearaidh over the back of the Ptarmigan Tow has been offering up some beautiful spring snow, just remember it is easy to get to, but you have to walk / skin back out! Note that the Funicular touring pass is not available currently.

Glencoe is now the domain of tourers and those prepared to hike for some turns, if venturing beyond the Main Basin or Spring Run, beware of the Flypaper both early and once in shade for the surface quickly firming up in the dry air, plus when at its softest risk of surface sluffing. Remember the mountain is unpatrolled now!

Season Pass holders can continue to use the Access Chair. The Plateau Cafe is open daily through Monday 4th May, from 10am to 3pm.

The Upper Goose and summit area at Nevis and the Back Corries also retain a decent amount of snow for tourers / hiking for turns.

:: Glencoe Sledge Park

The Sledge Park is full length and in reasonable and improving condition, with snow making resumed following the commissioning of a new snow factory unit! There are over 150 sledges to grab at the Plateau Cafe, sledging is complimentary!

It is advisable to arrive before 2.45pm at the latest for sledging to get a decent amount of time on the hill. First chair up at 9am, the sledge park is always quietest before lunch time. Last chair down scheduled for 4.30pm.

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:: England Club Fields

All the club fields are waiting for new snow to be able to reopen.

For both Weardale and Allenheads, you need to join the club with a season pass, these are still available for both at this time.

Please check club access rules / availability if not a club member / pass holder.

Weardale: https: //skiweardale.com/ .
Allenheads: http://ski-allenheads.co.uk/ .
Yad Moss: https: //yadmoss.co.uk/ .
Raise: https: //www.ldscsnowski.co.uk/ .

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:: Mountain Weather

At 6pm in the West at Glencoe, the summit AWS on Meall a Bhuiridh (1097m) was reporting a temperature of +12.4°c, with an NE wind at 8 gusting 12mph. At the SSC hut (850m) the temperature was +12.7°c. At Base level (366m) it was +18.4°c with the wind at 4 gusting 8mph.

The SAIS summit AWS on Aonach Mor was reporting +10.7°c. The Met Office station was reporting a West wind at 4 gusting 15mph. At the CIC Hut (680m) it was +12.9°c. At Tulloch Station (237m) the temperature was +18.4°c.

In the East the summit weather stations on CairnGorm reported +5.6°c, with a Southerly at a mean of 12 gusting 19mph. At Aviemore the temperature at 6pm was +11.8°c.

The Met Office Cairnwell AWS reported +3.0°c with a South wind at a mean of 15 gusting 22mph.

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:: Mountain Forecast Discussion

Weakening weather fronts trailing into the high pressure have introduced a bit more cloud and humidity this evening. So while high pressure remains in place, it wont be as bright or stay dry on Sunday / Monday with some showers likely to bubble up. Some places may miss them completely but other locations could catch a heavier shower. A return to more widespread sunshine and dry conditions likely by Tuesday, with another fine week expected.

Munro level temperature around +6 to +8°c on Sunday and +5 to +7°c on Monday as a slightly cooler NW flow comes in. Then warming back up with Munro Level temperatures likely to be 10 to 12°c by Tuesday, possibly 13°c by Wednesday. SE turning SW breeze on Sunday, variable between WNW and NNW on Monday around 15 gusting 25mph.

By Tuesday wind falling light and variable again. Warmest weather likely to be in the glens of the West Highlands and far inland Central Highlands with some spots again pushing past 20°c.

Some inversion mist may form in the glens again, but should soon burn off in the strengthening spring sunshine.

With still high level snow cover on the mountains, intensifying the effect of the sunshine, be aware of the serious sunburn risk in the coming day! Also please beware of the high wildfire risk.

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:: Webcams and Weather Stations

Lowther Hill: Leadhills webcam is online (24/7).

GLENCOE: All mountain webcams online and the first updated images are around 5.30am (BST). Sledge Park camera streams overnight. Replacement Summit AWS has been installed and temperature data is available from 4 levels. Wind speed currently available at summit and base.

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