Well I did say the head wall looked a bit questionable for stability with the different colours of snow and the cornice, it slipped today, triggered by a member of staff off for a slide. He will be in trouble!
With the pictures being posted on this thread of our close to back country skiing some others came to join us, our merry band of three was swollen to eight. There are not many sports that a great range of ages and abilities can enjoy together. The age span of the group was 65 years from youngest to oldest and everyone was enjoying themselves.
Many people do not realise what good off piste skiing CG has to offer amazingly close to the lifts when the conditions are favourable. Again don't wander on your own, get a guide or some one who really knows what they are doing, a wrong turn and you are off to Braemar or more likely trip in the new rescue helicopter.
The snow pack has changed significantly. On piste it has compacted and frozen more With the increased volume of skiers, 500 today, the surface became a bit scraped / polished. The off piste saved the day, the snow was firmer than yesterday but was still superb to ski, a compacted powder drifting in the winds. By off piste all you had to do was ski to the side of the runs to find a great surface. The real off piste is very good indeed but became more of a challenge as the winds increased in the afternoon. When the visibility deteriorated it was time to stop going further afield.
Looks like tomorrow will be a write-off, hopefully better Monday.
Good news is they are hoping to open next weekend too, depending on conditions. I will miss my mid week sliding though.
Top bowls with little queues
The group heading out east for some good off piste skiing, some well know CG regulars here, or is it trouble makers?
Not far from the ptarmigan runs, but remember you are outside the patrolled area, do not go on your own and be equipped to get yourself back if something goes wrong.
Views just over from the ptarmigan unload.
Graeme
Edited 1 times. Last edit at 19.27hrs Sat 2 May 15 by WindyMiller.
Attachments:
Top bowls.JPG (233kB)
East Ptarmigan.JPG (230kB)
Group.JPG (252kB)
Over the back.JPG (211kB)