Glencoe, Scotland Jan 26th

[yaraj]

Just so you can all see how lucky you are. I took the 2 hour drive (actually took my 3 1/2 after leaving my jacket at home!) to Glencoe today after they eventually opened last week.

Actually the snow was great though a bit avalanche-prone (Flypaper VERY closed) but I thought I'd give you all a wee perspective on Scottish skiing and let some of you see why Brits are so happy to cross an ocean to ski in the Northeast.

As I said the snow was great and I actually managed to ride the entire vert of the mountain for the first time due to the snow falling right to the base of the access chair but the facilities are, how should I put it, rustic!!!! to say the least. A couple of high-speed quads sure wouldn't go amiss!

have some pics

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Rustic.....with t-bars. You highlanders must have steel legs working them up and down the hill! How much of a base is that?

 

[yaraj]

As it's all on drifted snow, it's impossible to say really. Some parts of the mountain are probably about 20-30 feet deep already whereas other parts still have some rocks showing through. By then end of the season some parts can be 75 feet plus! It;s usually posiible to ski on midsummers day as some of the snow is left.

As for T-bars, I remember skiing and didn't find them too bad. Boarding, on the other hand...............

 

[severine]

Thanks for sharing that perspective! Reminds me a little of some of the pics from the guys who went to South America over the summer, actually.

 

[loafer89]

Wasn't there are near record length to the ski season this past year? I think that Cairgorms had a season into May?

I have heard that climate change is dramatically shortening the skiing season and making the snowline height unpredictable.

Thank you for sharing your report.

 

[yaraj]

I'm pretty sure most of the Scottish resorts were open right to the end of April last year, Cairngorm it was possible to ski in May.

http://www.winterhighland.info/publicreports/index.php?50,955

Scotland's had a few really crappy winters recently, last year was pretty good though and this year is shaping up to be pretty decent. Lots of people blaming climate change etc. but Scotland's always been pretty random with the weather due to the Gulf Stream and the winds coming in off the Atlantic.

Add the fact that the resorts have no money so have very little snowmaking capabilities and it's basically a case of cross your fingers and hope for the best every year!

 

[snoseek]

Looks a little like my local hill. Actually the skiing looks pretty good. Are fat skis popular for cutting through the epic wind buff?

 

[Warp Daddy]

Thanks for the report and the photos .and the Interesting perspective on .just how others abroad appreciate the relative bounty of skiing opportunities that exist here . Too often we take it all for granted .

Have a great season !!

 

[yaraj]

Looks a little like my local hill. Actually the skiing looks pretty good. Are fat skis popular for cutting through the epic wind buff?

Don't really know to be honest. I snowboard so once all the rocks are covered with a good base, after a dump it's pretty much a case of point our board down the hill and hope for the best!

 

[yaraj]

well, went back to Glencoe today. It must have r*ined last night as there was a big thick icy crust on everything which made for an interesting start! The Poma in the morning was like something out of those sadistic Japanese gameshows as I watched beginner after beginner either get dragged up the hill,thrown up in the air or slammed into the ground by it. Was pretty funny to watch really. Also had plenty "Weegie" sightings which, as long as they're not at too close range are also pretty funny.

Conditions were pish though, and it was blowing an absolute gale so the top lifts didn't run all day. From one extreme to the other in just a few days.

Be grateful for what you have!

 

[deadheadskier]

How much vertical and acreage to the average Highlands areas have?

 

[yaraj]

When I was there on Monday it was roughly 2600 feet vert. which is the most they've ever had open since I've been going. Usually have about 1600 feet vert. but today was limited to about 300 metres, whatever that is in feet. Major pain in the ass with the wind today

 

[Trekchick]

I was just talking to a woman who learned to ski in Scottland. That is pretty much what she described.
Its all good when you're sliding down hill, eh?

 

[from_the_NEK]

When I was there on Monday it was roughly 2600 feet vert. which is the most they've ever had open since I've been going. Usually have about 1600 feet vert. but today was limited to about 300 metres, whatever that is in feet. Major pain in the ass with the wind today

Conditions were pish though, and it was blowing an absolute gale so the top lifts didn't run all day. From one extreme to the other in just a few days.

Be grateful for what you have!

These report make me think of what Mt Washington would be like if there were T-bars running up it. Wicked variable snowpack (0-75 feet), avalanche terrain, huge vert, and did someone say something about wind?

It's cool to see what it is like on the other side of the pond! Thanks for the report.

 

[RichH]

Thanks for the report. It takes me back to when I lived in the UK and used to head up to Aviemore for long weekends.

Not the best snow I've ever skiied, but some of the best wind I've skiied in!

 

[yaraj]

Looks like this season could shape up to be epic! 2 days this week,Thursday and today, Cairngorm has reported 2 FEET!!! o fresh with it drifting to 4 FEET on some parts of the mountain.

Only problem is noone can get there as the roads are all covered too. Will have to head up midweek

 

[dmc]

Scotland looks like a pretty extreme place.. weatherwise...