Scottish Centres Open More Terrain With Improving Conditions
Scottish ski centres are reporting their best conditions for about a month after weeks of gales, torrential rain and other ‘weather issues’ finally let up at the start of this week allowing fresh snow to settle on higher slopes and calmer conditions for the five ski areas to take stock.
Glencoe on the werst and the closest centre to Glasgow appears to be is in the best shape att present, re-opening this week with about half of its 20+ trails open.
“Significant new snowfall Monday evening and overnight into Tuesday means we now have plenty of terrain available for all ability levels, with all the longer green Plateau area runs now skiable. The full on mountain vertical is available, and it is ski off the Access Chair onto either the Plateau Poma or Rannoch Triple Chair. Mix of machine groomed and wind packed fresh snow.”
The Lecht and Glenshee (pictured top on Tuesday afternoon) also now have some terrain open beyond their beginner runs, which are maintained with all-weather snowmaking machines.
The issue some centres have is meeting demand, particularly in the current half-term holiday period. Cairngorm has nursery slopes open (pictured above) but has sold out of all tickets a week in advance. It also has some higher terrain with tickets available for that, but stresses this its for advanced skiers only, partly as it involves an uphill hike to access with the funicular still out of action.
The Lecht reports its booked up today and Thursday, Glenshee also seems to be selling out at least a day in advance at present.
Nevis Range has hardly offered any snowsports this winter, it’s the only Scottish centre without a working all-weather snowmaking machine, so far but is edging closer to reopening some runs, In the meantime it is offering a sledging slope and tourers can use lifts to access high altitude snow more easily than walking up, the same as at Glencoe. They do say that they hope to open from tomorrow though,
“Weather permitting we are going too open for Snowsports tomorrow Thursday 15th February Uptracks have filled in over the last few days of snow and conditions good. With uplift via Alpha button, Goose T-bar and the summit Button,” a spokesperson said.
