 Poster: A snowHead
|
Yeah, even in recent excellent winters they barely opened for skiing, whilst Glencoe has really capitalised on great snow conditions. Abandoning the Braveheart chair signals that they're really declining as a ski destination.
Definitely two different tales of management success, especially considering the recent challenges at Coe with the main building burning down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
| Abandoning the Braveheart chair signals that they're really declining as a ski destination |
Not to mention Warrens draglift. Used to love lapping that...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Last year NR did not turn a single lift. They could have but they chose not to. There is no ski patrol now and i don't think any rental (?)
On Mountain Biking they did also benefit from the CFF to build Blue Doon, which was then rebuilt when it was damaged in the storms. The DH WC will come back to NR but the funding requests from WB for the coverage were too much for visit scotland & lochaber council etc who all contribute to the costs at such short notice. The date change which made it less of a pull for camping etc. and also the change in peoples habits to want to go to thee things or sit in their pants and watch it streamed at home also have had an impact. It's a great biking facility.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
https://scairngormsblog.sais.gov.uk/2026/01/becoming-cooler-2/
Looks to be plenty on Meal Odhar which means that access should be possible out to Coire Fionn. More snow falling over the foreseeable future and quite a lot of icing although it seems to be coming off OK.
The model projection well into February looks cool for the Cairngorms. Could be the start of a classic spell, by modern winter standards 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
| The model projection well into February looks cool for the Cairngorms. Could be the start of a classic spell, by modern winter standards |
Accuweather modelling forecast for the next month shows barely a glimpse of sun for The Highlands. Just have to hope the cloud is above the tops when we finally get up there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| mountainaddict wrote: |
Or bite the bullet and ski in the fog...We've had plenty of practice in Scotland  |
Not that I've improved with that practice: perhaps I've got a better idea of where I'm supposed to be, but no more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
OK was quite wild out there today all day at Glenshee with strong winds and pretty constant snowfall. Underneath is v wet, the temp gradually got lower and lower all day which was drying it out, more of that please ! Yes there’s a lot of drifting and snow but at the moment pushing some of it out isn’t possible as it’s too wet. Getting g out to Cluny and MO needs the burn to freeze and or be covered which it probably isn’t, but could be this week, if so that will be able to open I’d say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s a classic south easterly set up over the Cairngorms. Wind speed is gusting up to 100mph at the summit weather station and the forecast is up to 110mph tomorrow. Meanwhile, just 18miles to the south it’s only gusting 40mph on the Cairnwell, albeit a thousand feet lower.
The wind blowing from the south east famously gets squeezed over the summit of Cairngorm and roars down the north side blasting snow into Corrie na ciste and blocking the access road.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Peter S wrote: |
| Meanwhile the automatic weather station on Cairngorm summit has stopped working |
Built by the same mob as the funicular?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm not sure Glencoe is doing that much better , technologically:
Scottish Ski Club Hut
at 13:25:19 on 27-01-2026
Temperature:-1.4°c Wind:0mph
Wind (5mins):-29639mph Direction: N
Direction (degree): 9 ° Dew Point: -1.4°c
Wet Bulb: -1.4°c Rel Hum:100%
Scottish Ski Club Hut at 13:25:19 on 27-01-2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
It’s a hell of a blizzard, quite notable compared to the last couple of years. It’s basically hasn’t stopped snowing and blowing at altitude for a week !
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
It's still going hell for leather as well, been cold so this is the best accumulation we've seen yet and tonight will see more. West coast not been so successful from this one though,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I'm thinking about a Scottish ski trip! (Do I need meds?  )
I've skied Nevis & Cairngorm many years ago.
I've already had 2 weeks in France this season, but nothing else booked till April so I'm thinking of a sneaky couple of days in Feb/ March
Glenshee is 5hrs from me & I'm self employed so I can do midweek at short notice.
I'm assuming midweek is less crowded?(if open?)
I thought Cairngorm was a bit crap & not worth the effort when I was last there about 14 yrs ago, is Glenshee any better?
Any other recommendations?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Midweek is the way forward if you can do it. Just keep an eye on weather and then strike, plenty of accomodation on the way from either N , E, S or W. Set your expectations as it will be skiing, it's not the alps, if there is decent snow there is a decent amount of terrain but it could be narrow, have tufts of heather and/or you won't be able to see the ends of your skis. But it's always fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
https://www.ski-glenshee.co.uk/Webcam
Has cleared. Fences covered in places and some huge drifts, particularly on west facing slopes. Check out the Caenlochan. Hope they can get that going. I expect Coire Fionn will be very scoured but surely Glas Maol will be impressive ? 
https://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/live-webcams/
Cairngorm looks good above the Sheiling. The Cas gun barrel is flat which suggests the top part of the Ciste Gulley must also be full.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@tangowaggon, is Glencoe a lot further?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| kitenski wrote: |
| @tangowaggon, is Glencoe a lot further? |
Actually a bit closer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
Is Glencoe a lot further?
....Actually a bit closer |
We're in your neck of the woods @tangowaggon (exactly 300 miles from Cairngorm car park) and find the Perth Travelodges (about 200 miles) to be a good base for night one of a Scotland ski trip. And from about £30 a room too. Perth Broxden one is just off the road up and is next to a pleasant pub.
From Perth, you can check conditions and decide which ski area to visit the next day. An early start gets you to the slopes for a decent day.
We like all of the ski areas. Even The Lecht and Cairngorm. We've had good skiing at all of them over the years. If you love skiing; don't have to have 200km of piste to have a good day; accept that it's not The Alps; and that lifts/infrastructure are a bit rough round the edges; you can have a great time.
The key point is to check the weather forecast carefully, only travelling if the wind speeds are reasonable. Anything above 30mph can make skiing a miserable test of endurance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
From Nevis Range Facebook page:
"Nevis Range Update
#Nevisrange #Fortwilliam #liveyouradventure
www.nevisrange.co.uk
Following the storm that rolled through on Monday afternoon and evening, we were lucky to receive some fresh snowfall — and the top of the hill is now looking fantastic.
However, the storm also brought some significant challenges. High winds caused several snow fences to be blown over, windows to be blown out in top station, and the garage door at the Goose Garage — one of our main engineering hubs and home to most of our snow sports vehicles — to be blown in.
Despite these setbacks, progress continues. Crews are digging out the garage, repairing damaged infrastructure, and addressing storm impacts as quickly and safely as possible.
The top of the hill is shaping up extremely well, and we can begin preparing terrain for snow sports. The lower hill remains very bare and will be used for access only at this stage. Based on current conditions, any initial opening would be best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers.
Operations & Infrastructure Update
We’re pleased to confirm that the gearbox has now been returned and reinstalled. In addition, the Doppelmayr engineering team is on-site completing final works to the gondola wheel, with these works progressing ahead of schedule.
Alpha — one of our main access lifts — was struck by lightning during the previous storm, resulting in damage to an electrical board. This board was sent to Newcastle for repair, has now been collected, and will be reinstalled over the weekend.
We are currently planning to reopen Gondola operations on Wednesday 4 February, with the aim of opening for snow sports on Friday 6 February, conditions permitting.
As always, we are doing everything we can to get everyone back on the hill as soon as it is safe to do so. Weather and conditions will continue to guide our decisions, and we’ll keep you updated as work progresses.
Thanks for your patience and continued support — we look forward to welcoming you back on the hill soon."
So it looks like Nevis Range are actually intending to open for snowsports this year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who knows, I might even get there. It's the fact that I'd have to drive past Glencoe that stops me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Believe it when i see it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@mountainaddict, you forgot to mention, cloudy, foggy, snow
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
We're going into the middle valley today .....
We never cry 'enough' until its all filled in. There's some epic large cornices out the back that are being dealt with over the next day or so. Just waiting for the blower to clear the slide on the blairgowrie side of the road. It snowed a bit last night, again.
There is a massive amount of work to do in the middle and back valleys to get these ready, they have been out working the last two days but have had issues with people getting in the way of the machines and also ducking under winch lines, i mean, wow. So that's slowed things down somewhat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I was going to head to glen shee Wednesday but broken tooth stopped that.
Right now I think this Wednesday coming might be good again. Had two days at the Lecht and both have been great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
When the snow is that deep they need to run the groomers on winches as well, yesterday there were people going towards the winch lines. The drivers can't really see anything when the scoop is working, so they had to stop work. We don't use any explosives so has all to be ski cut for safety, and that in itself takes a bit of work and time to do it safely. Think the road will be 11am today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Cairngorm storm bound again today. Should be good when the winds calm down enough for them to get the road cleared and the pistes prepped. Presuming the roads open tomorrow I'll be working down at the wee beginner's snow patch. If I get a chance I'll have a quick trip up the mountain to check out the main area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AorqJp2us/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Loads of snow in the middle valley at Glenshee and it looks as though they already have the Pomas on the Clunny and Caenlochan tows. They just need a break from the perpetual wind and better visibility would help !
Hope they can open the road tomorrow so that Glenshee can get some customers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
| Looking at the GEFS model it’s unsettled into the foreseeable future. Below average temperatures and snowing. |
BBC monthly outlook agrees - remaining cold, with below average temperatures, until at least the middle of February.
Still no sign of any sun! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Shattered today. Proper hard work at the moment. Getting there in middle valley, tomorrow maybe no promises. So deep, so much snow move, please, no more, we’re done digging ! Busy today,more wind than expected, all patrol was flat out with lots of things. Tomorrow will be even more busy !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@orange, thank you for all the hard work: it's really appreciated. I'm bringing my youngest up to Glenshee tomorrow and even if we spend the day on the "Cloudyside" it'll be worth it. He ruptured his ACL in Corvara on Christmas Eve just over a year ago but is now fully recovered and keen to ski, albeit slower than he did that day 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Having been blown over in The Cas at Cairngorm with windspeeds of 55-60mph (a scary experience) the above doesn't bear thinking about 
