All Five Scottish Centres Open For First Time This Season
Glencoe and Nevis Range ski areas on Scotland’s West Coast have opened terrain today, Thursday, 18th January, marking their first full in-bounds run openings, other than sledging slopes and nursery slopes, of the 23-24 season.
The move follows a week of subzero weather and snow showers which has allowed the other three Highland centres, Cairngorm, Glenshee and The Lecht to open more terrain beyond their nursery slope areas, which are created with TechnoAlpin SnowFactory all-weather snowmaking systems.
Glencoe (pictured above this week) has had a nursery slope, sledging and its access chair running for some time, the latter providing access to ski touring terrain above the ski area, but it now has some in-bounds runs open too.
“The best of the skiing will be on the Main Basin and Happy Valley, Etive Glades to be assessed by ski patrol in the morning. Mid mountain Mugs Alley for Access. Lower mountain Low Road and Plateau Run complete but thin and narrow at the bottom. Early season conditions and suited to more experienced skiers and snowboarders,” a statement from the centre on Wednesday evening explained.
Nevis Range (above) have five lifts running and note that their “…Summit area has been groomed and has amazing cover. Spectre has fresh powder frozen overnight. Summit Run has been groomed two cats wide. Sider has powder cover.”
Cairngorm has logistical problems with its funicular railway out of service once again, meaning experienced skiers and boarders need to hike up with their gear to access the open terrain higher the mountain, and the drag lifts serving it.
Almost half of the 20+ runs in Glenshee are now open, the highest percentage of the five centres, although Cairngorm is the only one in double figures, saying 11 are open for those prepared to hike a bit. The Lecht is still posting three runs available.
It is not clear how long all five centres will be able to remain open. Next week will see temperatures rise significantly with heavy precipitation forecast so ski areas will be hoping that arrives as snow, not rain.
