 Poster: A snowHead
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@orange, I had a good day and it was clear that that everything that could possibly open, was open 
I think the wind was a crosswind on all the lifts east of the road which can't have helped.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Interesting from the BBC website:
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| There has been a stark lack of mild days in Scotland this year, with the start of 2026 marking the longest wait for the temperature to reach 12C (54F) in the country since 1986. |
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Someone needs to mention the Lecht....
They are a family business and obviously the last few years have been really tough, but boy is it beginning to show. Feels like they are on their last legs - let's hope the better season this year helps them.
After Harrier was decommissioned years ago, Falcon is now out of use because they can't afford the repairs. The chairlift is so old it can't open even in the most slight of winds. Eagle 2 never opens either, presumably also beyond repair.
And they refuse to open Buzzard before lunchtime, even on their busiest of days, even when there is no apparent reason not to.
It all results in really poor days like yesterday where they sell close to 1,000 tickets but basically have 3 pomas and a magic carpet open for most of the day, before opening Buzzard for 2 hours in the afternoon.
It's one of my favourite places and I really hope they sort themselves out.
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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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Fair point. I think it's worth noting that all the capital infrastructure costs are historic almost everywhere (I'll come back to that in a minute) Beyond the Rannoch chair and new seats for the Access Chair at glencoe nothing new has really been put in as it just costs too much. Cairngorm obvs exception as they get a bailout every bad year (last one was > £1m 'for a poor snow season' as noted in papers).I'll ignore Nevis as they do nothing. All the rest are privately owned by shareholders. Getting money to do new projects since 2018 has almost been impossible. Even building bike tracks etc. is not cheap (I oversee the MTB consortium in scotland) and the funds for that are stretched to the max, again Cairngorm had theirs bankrolled for them, doesn't need to come out of profits just HIE coffers.
We'll gradually see declines in the lifts available and we need to get used to that.
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No big money for anything new, cos Cairngorm have spent it all, but
Perhaps the Scottish govt could help with apprentice and mentoring costs to refurb the existing system?
A team of two or three could work through the existing tows grit blasting, preparing parts for galvanising, fitting new and refurbished parts as necessary. If supported by Govt training finance, that might be cost effective, would help develop young apprentices, retain local skills and keep most of the spending within the regional economy. Probably already happens?
perhaps the local ski clubs and wider volunteers could also be co ordinated to help Glenshee with tasks in the summer and help run the tows in winter in return for reduced season tickets etc. That would also give keen skiers and volunteers more of a stake in the centre.
Some overnight accommodation on site might also help reduce costs.
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I'd be really interested to find out more about the economics of the snow factories in Scotland.
Glenshee, Cairngorm (and the Lecht?) can and do now have, as far as I understand, set opening(and closing) dates where they are guaranteed a snow area for skiers to learn on. Is this a real financial boost to the ski areas or just another operating cost?
If snow making was expanded to cover a top to bottom or at least some intermediate terrain the demand is clearly there for it.
I have done a little bit of skiing in easter Europe in recent years, small areas, good infrastructure, great snow making etc and I always wonder why it's so raw in Scotland
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| ldhkhk wrote: |
Someone needs to mention the Lecht....
They are a family business and obviously the last few years have been really tough, but boy is it beginning to show. Feels like they are on their last legs - let's hope the better season this year helps them.
After Harrier was decommissioned years ago, Falcon is now out of use because they can't afford the repairs. The chairlift is so old it can't open even in the most slight of winds. Eagle 2 never opens either, presumably also beyond repair.
And they refuse to open Buzzard before lunchtime, even on their busiest of days, even when there is no apparent reason not to.
It all results in really poor days like yesterday where they sell close to 1,000 tickets but basically have 3 pomas and a magic carpet open for most of the day, before opening Buzzard for 2 hours in the afternoon.
It's one of my favourite places and I really hope they sort themselves out. |
there is a lot more going than you think at the Lecht... Loosing Tosh who was the linch pin was massive.
Its easy get frustrated but after so many lean years then everything has been thinned down and no. money behind it.
| orange wrote: |
Fair point. I think it's worth noting that all the capital infrastructure costs are historic almost everywhere (I'll come back to that in a minute) Beyond the Rannoch chair and new seats for the Access Chair at glencoe nothing new has really been put in as it just costs too much. Cairngorm obvs exception as they get a bailout every bad year (last one was > £1m 'for a poor snow season' as noted in papers).I'll ignore Nevis as they do nothing. All the rest are privately owned by shareholders. Getting money to do new projects since 2018 has almost been impossible. Even building bike tracks etc. is not cheap (I oversee the MTB consortium in scotland) and the funds for that are stretched to the max, again Cairngorm had theirs bankrolled for them, doesn't need to come out of profits just HIE coffers.
We'll gradually see declines in the lifts available and we need to get used to that. |
poor Lecht had to ask for money I think a couple years ago... the tables and chairs, TV in the restaurant were given by my dad from his old bar.
Like anything the ski centres just need snow that stays around and the roads are kept open.
| alasdair.graham wrote: |
I'd be really interested to find out more about the economics of the snow factories in Scotland.
Glenshee, Cairngorm (and the Lecht?) can and do now have, as far as I understand, set opening(and closing) dates where they are guaranteed a snow area for skiers to learn on. Is this a real financial boost to the ski areas or just another operating cost?
If snow making was expanded to cover a top to bottom or at least some intermediate terrain the demand is clearly there for it.
I have done a little bit of skiing in easter Europe in recent years, small areas, good infrastructure, great snow making etc and I always wonder why it's so raw in Scotland |
water costs money unless you have your own reservoir - having said that I have no idea how they work. Right now the snow factories are keeping the ski centres alive.
Ironic thing is my wife won't let me take my 4 year old to the Lecht just incase he hates it rather than the dry ski slope. I grew up being pushed around the bottom of the Lecht from 2 years old.
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| orange wrote: |
Fair point. I think it's worth noting that all the capital infrastructure costs are historic almost everywhere (I'll come back to that in a minute) Beyond the Rannoch chair and new seats for the Access Chair at glencoe nothing new has really been put in as it just costs too much. Cairngorm obvs exception as they get a bailout every bad year (last one was > £1m 'for a poor snow season' as noted in papers).I'll ignore Nevis as they do nothing. All the rest are privately owned by shareholders. Getting money to do new projects since 2018 has almost been impossible. Even building bike tracks etc. is not cheap (I oversee the MTB consortium in scotland) and the funds for that are stretched to the max, again Cairngorm had theirs bankrolled for them, doesn't need to come out of profits just HIE coffers.
We'll gradually see declines in the lifts available and we need to get used to that. |
It is a shame as with full lift availability Glenshee is a substantial ski area. It was interesting seeing the history of resort development in the cafe photos-it seemed that there was a real glut of development in the 80s where I guess skiing’s cultural popularity was booming but flights were still relatively expensive, however once EasyJet/Ryanair changed the market after the 90s it seemed that development really slowed- maybe eco considerations too. It is a bit of a catch 22 as the older/smaller lifts seem more wind sensitive compared to gleaming 6 seater detachable chairs in other countries-I guess less weight gets blown around more easily!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Andy’s Glencoe masterplan has the Gondola and snowmaking etc on the plateau , it was roughly costed at £26m. With the biking and further development that could fly but will need government support which is a bit sparse.
Our Snowfactory is being replaced soon as it’s EoL. I’d say for the areas I’ve worked at they keep them above water, hence for sledging and shee for the plastic as it’s well sheltered. Getting further coverage into Claybokie could work with more capacity but the use a lot of power and water. Glenshee isn’t on the grid remember. More cannons could work, I mean the government gave Cairngorm 10 of them for free ….but again the capital cost is quite large and with operating profit being nil since 2019 really it would be a tough call. A couple of good seasons will re energise investment but don’t expect 8 seater heated lifts !
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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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Cairngorm having a good day !
"..Parking now only in the Ciste car park - top car parks are both full. There will be shuttle buses operating throughout the day for transport to and from the Base Station.
All uplift apart from the Fiacaill poma is now operation. Excellent snowsports on soft, spring like snow across the mountain. Lift passes available from the Ticket Office including half-days from 12:30pm..."
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Out of interest is there use in refurbishing Pomas- do they magically become more wind resistant with new cables/seats/wheels?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Warm weather and rain is going to do some damage in next few days/weeks I’d imagine?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There is use in refurbishing Lifts and Glenshee are the experts. It doesn’t however increase their wind resistance as long as they are properly aligned and set up. The tension in a Poma line is I think between 2 and 5 tons depending on the length of the tow. Our mid 1960s Poma at Yad Moss is reliable up to a windspeed of about 50mph, depending on direction. It will generally out perform a chairlift by a large margin, including modern detachable chairs.
Tbars operate at a higher tension than Pomas and are probable more resilient again. Also with a surface tow if the wind really starts to blow up you just stop it (or if the rope gets blown off the safety system stops the motor automatically) skiers then simply let go and ski down, without the need for rescue.
Worst case scenario at Glenshee you may have to walk up the slope to retreat back to the car park.
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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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We do adjust our line tension quite a lot esp when it’s windy, usually on the upwind lift. People zigzagging is the number 1 problem and almost guaranteed a line fault.
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Cairngorm was much better than I expected today. Bit of rain in the morning and a lot of the offpiste has been stripped by the mild weather but it’s still plenty deep enough on the upper pistes. Lovely skiing all over the mountain, only the beginners patch at the bottom that was getting thin and slushy. I had a real blast after teaching today, M2, M1 and the White Lady all in ace condition and not at all busy. I think the snow is deep enough to survive the current mild spell
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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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Well I think I am going to try and get up to Glenshee tomorrow now the forecast seems settled and it should be a nice day. Plus need to get my boots dialled in after the work was done on them Wednesday.
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I was at Glenshee today. It was quite windy so they weren't running the chairlifts, but plenty of poma uplift available. The sun came out intermittently, overall an enjoyable day. 
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Hoping to nip up Friday and Saturday.
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| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| I was at Glenshee today. It was quite windy so they weren't running the chairlifts, but plenty of poma uplift available. The sun came out intermittently, overall an enjoyable day. |
I had an awesome day.
Snow got soft and slow but I love spring snow... Some great runs, fingers crossed the snow inhere next week which would be great prep for Engelberg.
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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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I note there’s been a bit of deterioration on the ?west side of Glenshee and the snowpack in general. Does the melting however make it possible to consider opening up toward a Glas Maol more or is there is going to be an issue with enough snow to access it?
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| Dr. Will wrote: |
| I note there’s been a bit of deterioration on the ?west side of Glenshee and the snowpack in general. Does the melting however make it possible to consider opening up toward a Glas Maol more or is there is going to be an issue with enough snow to access it? |
I'm sure orange will be along to enlighten us in due course with on the ground reports but I suspect the volume of snow and cornice size on Glas Maol will be a problem until long after they're struggling for snow on the runs/uplift to access it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Fair enough, have just looked at the webcams and snowpack loss does seem quite drastic sadly 
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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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Someone else who still refers to back passage by it's real name. Love it Peter. 
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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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Sorry have been away this week abroad, back at work tomorrow but CF is open and will find out about GM. Line being off is possibly as they were replacing some wheels on the tower.
EDIT: I do have a great pic of opening the timewarp that was the CF lift shed, the sign there was from the final day before Covid closedown and has a great message about it, can put it up here if i can remember how to do that.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sun 1-03-26 20:41; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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Up at 6am to get an early start at Cairngorm after the beautiful day they had yesterday. Arrived at 8am to find all uplift on hold. Wind was brutal and visibility poor, so after a quick coffee I headed home with my tail between my legs. By the time I got home they were running the funicular and the magic carpets but nothing else.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Quick update, great day today despite Coire Fionn being quite broken, hopefully fixed for tomorrow but poss only lunchtime onwards. Doubt GM will open at all I’m afraid to say - many reasons. If we get rain that will be it I also suspect as we’re only just stitching it all together !
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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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Pity, but the skiing is great with just Caenlochan open. Grab it while you can. I’m off to Chamonix end of March but doubt the skiing will be as much fun as Glenshee. It’s likely to be just Too easy
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We had a bit of a ski patrol ski about last thing then ran the lift on after we'd cleared the runs as it was such a beautiful day and, well, that might be it who knows ! Not through lack of snow cover, more this new issue of the burns all running more and that killing the snowpack from below.
EDIT:| However having now checked the boys have worked wonders and shifted loads of snow around, Claybokie should be back on for weekend as will Coire Fionn once the drive bearing is replaced tomorrow. Some fences have been harmed in the general movement of snow but its worth 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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Fingers crossed it lasts, I've booked Friday off work!
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^^^ hoping to make it out on Saturday. Swithering between options, would fancy a tour if the conditions soften up a bit, and forecast suggests it might help...
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Looks like a great day out there Peter, stuck in work unfortunately but hopefully out tomorrow. Are you out or Yad Mossing this weekend?
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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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Unfortunately not I’m away down south. Not sure if we have enough to run?
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Anyone know how the lecht is looking?
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FAQ
- but didn't I read about Glencoe looking into the possibility of a gondola? 
Not bothered about heating - a cover would do nicely! 
