All 5 Scottish Ski Centres Re-Open

All five Scottish ski centres have now re-opened at least some terrain following regular snow showers and cold weather since the start of March.

Glencoe and Nevis Range on the West Coast of the country were the first to re-open upper runs last weekend but they’ve been joined in the past few days by Cairngorm, Glenshee and The Lecht.

“All runs are now complete with a wide and deep cover of snow. What we need now is the wind to die down enough to allow us out to play. Winds tomorrow are again forecast to be strong WNW so may be worth checking in the morning before traveling or having a plan B,” a statement from Glencoe today reads, highlighting a current problem with re-opening slopes – strong winds. This has led areas to close lifts and at time close completely due to gales, not lack of snow.

At Nevis Range the Rope Tow, Quad, Goose and Summit. Alpha, Linnhe lifts are running and at The Lecht the Eagle, Grouse, Robin Sunkid and Magic Carpet lifts are running but they say it’s too windy for the chairlift to operate at present.  Glenshee (below) also has several lifts operating.

“We had more fresh snow overnight and drifting above mid station and fluctuating temps around base level. The Car Park T bar up track is thin at the base of the lift, and there are a few thin areas on the runs down the lower slopes, but in general the snowsports on offer below mid station are pretty good. Cas Tow open but too Windy for the M1 Poma.  The Cas runs, Cas downline and Zig Zags have caught Large amounts of snow. Great Snowsports at the Top of the Cas, spring like conditions from Mid Gunbarrel which is where the freezing level is sitting at the moment,” a Cairngorm statement says.

Scotland has had a difficult season so far with very little able to open before late January due to warm dry conditions.  About 60 runs were open by early February across the five areas however before record high February temperatures thawed away much of the cover.

Three of the centres, Glencoe, Cairngorm (below) and The Lecht had invested in TechnoAlpin SnowFactory all-weather snowmaking machines and have been able to keep small beginner areas open at the base of their runs since early December as a result.

Spring is often the best part of the season for snow cover at Scottish centres which can stay open to May some years.

More heavy snow showers also forecast for Friday so conditions will continue to improve.

Forecast for the weekend is currently looking good with colder temperatures, light winds and some sunshine.