Mostly All-Weather Snow for Scottish Easter Holidays (Probably)

Although there’s some hope that “winter’s not over” it looks like skiing in Scotland over the upcoming Easter holiday fortnight will be largely restricted to small areas maintained by all-weather snowmaking machines, or limited high-altitude touring.

The Highlands have seen valley highs peak at +15C over the last week which has impacted the terrain that was open

Glencoe announced late on Tuesday that the recent warm weather meant it has had to close most of its runs, but its sledging slope, maintained with all-weather snowmaking equipment, there are  beginner lessons on remaining snow patches and its Access Chair allowing ski/snowboard tourers to reach high-altitude snow patches more easily all remain operational and there’s hopes of colder weather and snowfall by the weekend.

“Unfortunately our remaining uplift and runs have succumbed to the mild temperatures over the last few days so lift assisted skiing now finished until the snow comes back. There is a drop in temperature and snow due later in the week so we will review on Friday afternoon with potential for getting anything open again for the weekend. Hopefully this isn’t the end of the ski season. Keep up the snow dancing!” a Glencoe statement reads.

Cairngorm (pictured below on Sunday before the warmest weather yet arrived) had the most terrain open on Monday, about half-a-dozen runs plus its all-weather snowmaker-maintained nursery slopes at the base. It reports a battle to maintain snow cover and that upper runs are only suitable to good skiers, partly as with its funicular still out of action, it’s a 30-minute hike in ski gear uphill to the lifts and runs that are operational. The centre is closed Tuesday/Wednesdays at present so it remains to be seen what's open on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Glenshee has three short runs open maintained with all-weather snowmaking. The Lecht is currently closed whilst it rebuilds all-weather snow cover on its nursery slope. Nevis Range does not have functioning all weather snowmaking and has hardly been able to offer snowsports this winter.

The limited available terrain tends to mean slope access gets booked up several days ahead so those planning to ski or board in the Easter Holidays are advised to check ahead of travel on ticket availability as well as on the latest weather.