You are NOT Logged in.
Chat about all aspects of snowsports, backcountry, climbing and mountaineering.
Goto Thread: PreviousNext
Goto: Forum ListMessage ListNew TopicSearchLog In
Current Page:7 of 10
WindyMiller


Posts: 654
Joined: Sep 2010
Last Visited: 17:31
1st Sep 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 18.05hrs on Mon 13 Mar 17
I swithered to whither I should go up to-day or not as the forecast was for high winds, I am glad I did as the high winds did not materialise and the sun was out much of the time.

As you would expect there has continued to be snow loss. The good news is the snow did firm up last night slowing the process. The snow did soften around 10:30 giving fast skiing on a spring like surface. The ciste bowl was closed to general skiing as the burn is breaking through ready to swallow small children. The ciste fairway and the upper M2 gave access to the ciste t-bar. The ptarmigan bowl is now quite thin in places but still has areas for beginners and the Ptarmigan North Face can give a blast of speed.

The ptarmigan traverse, main traverse, cas, 105 are giving good skiing but the zigzags are a mess and the gun barrel is now a half pipe with holes and rocks, actually quite fun if you are a sadist so we did it quite a few times smiling smiley

The surprise of the day was the M1 piste. You can no longer ski its full length but the chaps have pushed snow into the 105 cross over. There is a fairly interesting combination of fence cross overs to get you down to the 105.

The M1 load area is now skis off and walk through the ticket gate.

The lady, well take your sense of humor, it is complete if you do not mind using only one ski in places.

The forecast tomorrow is not good at all. I am going to wait and see what develops.

Graeme


For beginners and intermediates the Ptarmigan traverse and M2 are giving good skiing back to the ciste + ptarmigan t-bars.


The 105 and cas still have reasonable cover. The cas shred is being used.


From the junction of the 105 and cas into the gun barrel things started to get quite interesting.


Translation "Sense of humor required beyond this point"


Middle of the Lady, and it got worse! But I am glad they have kept it open as it did allow us a good crack at some difficult skiing.





Edited 3 times. Last edit at 18.17hrs Mon 13 Mar 17 by WindyMiller.

Attachments: Ptarmigan Traverse.JPG (199kB)   Cas.JPG (279kB)   Lady mid.JPG (253kB)   Lady.JPG (217kB)   105 cas.JPG (256kB)  
WindyMiller


Posts: 654
Joined: Sep 2010
Last Visited: 17:31
1st Sep 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 15.09hrs on Fri 17 Mar 17
Arrived in the car park about 09:50, snowing heavily with not too bad a breeze. There has been significant snow loss since Monday. The white lady and M1 are gone, not even rock hopping.

The snow continued all morning and was improving the cover in the ptarmigan and ciste bowls, the mountain was turning white again. After lunch the wind started picking up and significant drifting was occurring, then it happened, the heavy snow changed to heavy rain from just below the summit. What was turning white changed back to brown.

The M1 was not running so it was mid station stops. The cas has improved but the gun barrel is a no go so it was the zigzags and side slip or walk to the train. After lunch the heavy rain was not helping the situation at all.

By 13:45 the wind was going ballistic and the rain was driving, no one was using the ptarmigan t-bar any more and few were on the ciste, it was time to go home.

Took lots of pictures as usual today, unfortunately there was no memory card in the camera. Doh!

Time to use your imagination...

First picture was going to be of the fresh snow drifting over the ptarmigan traverse with Les in his red jacket which was white with frost and snow.

2nd picture was the ptarmigan and ciste bowls filling in.

3rd picture from the traverse looking into the cas. Lots of rocks outside the fences.The shred is disassembled due to the supporting snow melting.

4th picture down the cas showing it filling in again.

5th picture Nancy (ski patrol) inspecting the gun barrel and the cross over from the zigzags, very little snow here but was filling in until the heavy rain. The zigzag snow was saturated with water.

I am going to stay at home watching the CG report before leaving the house tomorrow. It is any ones guess what will be open.

Graeme



h11lly


Posts: 2150
Joined: Dec 2002
Last Visited: 18:38
2nd Sep 2019
What's this?What's this?What's this?
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 20.16hrs on Fri 17 Mar 17
Maybe no photos but you've painted a very good picture smiling smiley

Helen

some frustrated skier


Posts: 236
Joined: Mar 2003
Last Visited: 21:55
16th Feb 2021
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 11.07hrs on Sat 18 Mar 17
Going on what has happened during this poor season. Has there ever been a season where the Cas T-bar has never ran?

I don't remember any season for the past 20 years that it hasn't.

kammy


Posts: 295
Joined: Jan 2004
Last Visited: 21:23
2nd Mar 2021
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 13.36hrs on Sat 18 Mar 17
If April doesn't come good, then for sure its turning out to be one of the poorest season for some time. The Azores high has really dented this season.

LoveWhereWeLive


Posts: 8
Joined: Feb 2017
Last Visited: 20:34
30th Mar 2017
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 16.09hrs on Sat 18 Mar 17
Here's a photo from yesterday. Heading up the ciste. Looks better than it actually was. We got up the hill about 2.45 ish. The wind had dropped and it was snowing wet snow.

Not the best conditions ever but as always was glad we went up.

** can't attach photo! File size too big!

WindyMiller


Posts: 654
Joined: Sep 2010
Last Visited: 17:31
1st Sep 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 17.51hrs on Sat 18 Mar 17
Well I did not lose my memory today so no more imaginary pictures this evening, thought I did get some positive comments for the inventiveness, back to full visual pics.

I was not sure what to expect this morning after the heavy rain yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised. The mountain had returned to white over night filling in the ptarmigan and ciste bowls. The snow was not fluffy, more a wet snow that had hardened but did give a good skiing surface. As the day progressed the snow did get wetter and wetter especially the cas and zig zags. The cross over to the gun barrel was decidedly slushy though you could still ski back to the train if you were careful. The recommendation was to walk the last 100m.

The top of the M2 joining on to the fairway was the best way to the ciste t-bar though there were a few other ways to make your way down. The ptarmigan area was wide and ski mostly anywhere though by the end of the day it too was getting wet.

Around 14:00 the sun was breaking through so it was time to try something more adventurous. We headed past the ptarmigan lift hut and out towards Gully No1. The snow is very thin on the way but once in the gully it was deep and great to ski. We headed down into the ciste gully which was a pleasure but as you got further and further down the snow got heavier and heavier. We stopped where the higher traverse fence line that takes you over to the WWP as the gully had some very large holes in it. I am sure we could have got down to the old board walk area but we thought the risk was too high vs the gain of the extra ski. It is long hard slog to skin back up the gully to the ciste t-bar but most definitely worth it. If you are thinking of doing this take note you are out side the patrolled area and you are very much on your own if something goes wrong, the burn is not far under your feet.

It was sad to see both the old chair lifts now with out their ropes. I suppose it will not be long till the towers start to disappear one by one.

By 16:15 the wind was getting stronger and snow showers were passing through at the top, rain at mid. the runs were getting even wetter if that was at all possible.
Hopefully they will firm up.

Putting a few pictures on face book later
[www.facebook.com]

Graeme

First thing the top bowls were in good condition, they got heavier as the day went on.


The cas area had freshened up with new snow. In the afternoon there were rain showers making the surface rather slow.


Gully No1, a bit difficult to get to but once there was fun. Note this is well outside the patrolled area. You are on your own here.


The Ciste gully a very good ski indeed 3/4 of the way. Had to stop just below the upper traverse to the WWP due to holes down to the fast flowing burn.


They say a sign of getting old (other than loosing your memory) is when policemen look like children, how about ski instructors?
Anna teaching her little brother Campbell to turn for the first time.









Edited 2 times. Last edit at 18.03hrs Sat 18 Mar 17 by WindyMiller.

Attachments: cas area.JPG (196kB)   Ciste Gully.JPG (269kB)   new ski instructor.JPG (187kB)   Gully No1.JPG (181kB)   Ptarmigan Bowl.JPG (215kB)  
WindyMiller


Posts: 654
Joined: Sep 2010
Last Visited: 17:31
1st Sep 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 17.10hrs on Sun 19 Mar 17
It was a tough day on the mountain, blustery wind with a mixture of rain, hail and snow showers. I could not believe how much snow loss there had been, there is no way we could have skied No1 gully the way we did yesterday. The snow from the fence line over to the gully has all gone. The bowls have suffered as has the cas. The gun barrel is not ski-able and the zigzag is only a shovel wide. Such a shame after all the fresh yesterday.

Today we kept to the upper mountain, the snow was wet and heavy but still a number of ways to get to the ciste and ptarmigan t-bars.

The good news is by mid afternoon the temperature was dropping and the snow was starting to crunch up at the top. On the down side the wind was picking up and the drying snow started to drift.

For the last run of the day we skied to mid station. The traverse is still intact but the cas is now suffering. The zigzag to the gun barrel cross over has been shoveled into place and is very brown. It is best to take your skis off and walk the last 100m.

The forecast for the next few days is snow and high winds, lets see what actually happens.

Some pictures on facebook later.
[www.facebook.com]

Graeme

polar express you can see the snow is very thin but there are still reasonable ways down to the lifts.


Hard to believe we skied the fence line to the upper left of this picture yesterday.


The traverse still has good cover and a fast ski down. The wind did buffet you from the side a bit.


The cas is suffering, the snow is heavy and thinning. hopefully this will improve in the next few days.


Getting back to the train is a challenge but you can see the effort the guys are making to keep the skiing going lower down.







Edited 1 times. Last edit at 17.18hrs Sun 19 Mar 17 by WindyMiller.

Attachments: zigzag.JPG (300kB)   cas.JPG (299kB)   Traverse.JPG (252kB)   Ciste bowl.JPG (280kB)   polar express.JPG (254kB)  
Gorminator


Posts: 667
Joined: Jan 2011
Last Visited: 15:45
11th Aug 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 17.25hrs on Sun 19 Mar 17
COLDER........"Perhaps" they will operate some of the Snow-making Equipment........or will it be yet another wasted opportunity ?

h11lly


Posts: 2150
Joined: Dec 2002
Last Visited: 18:38
2nd Sep 2019
What's this?What's this?What's this?
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 19.19hrs on Tue 21 Mar 17
Looks like Windy wasn't there today to give a report so for those interested, the great powder on the 105 and the Cas made the afternoon visit definitely worth it.
Reaching it was a bit a of a battle against the wind and the surface outside the top station had icy patches, but once there that was forgotten, and it was also possible to ski to the midstation with a bit of care.
Being blowy it wasn't a great day for photos but this one kind of shows the powder



The top tows were closed but Graham on the funicular was helpful as always, and altered his train timing so those of us that were a bit slower reaching the mid station due to the wind battle on the traverse were able to catch every train smiling smiley

On the last run the ski patrol appeared with a skidoo carrying a huge bag of snow and started shoveling it over the crossover into the lower gunbarrel from the zig zag. Then as we were waiting for the train down, the snow canon at the Cas gantry kicked into action. Have to say they are not giving in to the difficult conditions and personally it's very much appreciated smiling smiley


The forecast for tomorrow has changed for the better with lighter winds, so maybe the top will also be offering some powder to enjoy for those who can go .

Helen

Gorminator


Posts: 667
Joined: Jan 2011
Last Visited: 15:45
11th Aug 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 12.22hrs on Wed 22 Mar 17
The Operator has, and continues to do so, miss numerous opportunities for Snowmaking !

There are several pieces of Equipment for this, and their general inaction this Season has undoubtedly led to sparse conditions on certain parts of the Mid-Mountain especially !

Olderalan


Posts: 1510
Joined: Feb 2006
Last Visited: 15:23
7th Apr 2019
What's this?What's this?What's this?
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 17.48hrs on Wed 22 Mar 17
According to the Operator.....a temperature of -2C is required and there has to be an expectation that the temp will remain at that level for a reasonable period of time before the snow-making cannons will be switched on.
When a cannon came on in the lower Gunbarrel late yesterday afternoon, the temperature had been low enough for snow-making since around 9pm the previous evening........so, there had been a continuous period of around 18 hours when snow could have been made but wasn't. In addition, there are 5 cannons on CairnGorm which can all operate simultaneous, so why switch on only 1 of them?

The operator has also moved the opening time to 10am.....summer opening hours. Why?

The lack of commitment to snow-sports is clearly obvious.

Kind regards

Olderalan



WindyMiller


Posts: 654
Joined: Sep 2010
Last Visited: 17:31
1st Sep 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 18.00hrs on Wed 22 Mar 17
h11lly Wrote:
Looks like Windy wasn't there today to give a report so for those interested,

Helen


Thanks for posting, I wish others would post too, it is nice to see other peoples opinions and pictures. Unfortunately I had fencing work to oversee at the farm yesterday so did not make it up but I did today!

I was disappointed to see how little snow had fallen/ stuck to the ground over the last two days. The run surfaces have improved significantly and with the help of the snow cannons you can now ski back to the train all be it very thin. Over all there has not been any increase in skiable area. It is still the ptarmigan bowl, ciste fairway /upper M2, traverse, 105 and cas. The off piste is not good.

Visibility was coming and going most of the day in the snow and freezing rain showers. Well below zero on the upper mountain and a bit damp at mid station.

The snow was running surprisingly fast making the traverse an interesting ski into the cas area. The upper runs were a bit of a challenge in the cold wind but the snow was very nice.

The guys were working on the cas shred.

A couple of pictures going up on facebook later.
[www.facebook.com]

Graeme

The upper runs have freshened up with the new snow.


The cas area has caught some of the drifting. the Shred is being worked on.


Drifting being caught in the fencing


The zigzag is much better than it was on Sunday.


The snow cannons have manage to allow skiing back to the train though it is very thin and a bit soggy in the afternoon.





Edited 1 times. Last edit at 18.12hrs Wed 22 Mar 17 by WindyMiller.

Attachments: M2.JPG (211kB)   lower gun barrel.JPG (268kB)   zigzag.JPG (266kB)   cas fence.JPG (191kB)   cas Area.JPG (194kB)  
Gorminator


Posts: 667
Joined: Jan 2011
Last Visited: 15:45
11th Aug 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 21.31hrs on Wed 22 Mar 17
Cannons.......funny..it only looked like ONE out of several was working G !

WindyMiller


Posts: 654
Joined: Sep 2010
Last Visited: 17:31
1st Sep 2019
Re: CairnGorm Mountain Snow 2017
Date Posted: 19.39hrs on Thu 23 Mar 17
For once it was not blowing, it was cold and still, even sunny in the morning then some high level cloud came in. The upper mountain stayed below zero but as usual mid mountain was above freezing making the ski back to the train rather heavy with the snow decidedly brown from the zigzag corner.

The snow was running fast and remained fresh to the Ciste t-bar and lower cas. It was the second zigzag where things changed to wet.

A few people were skiing the ciste bowl but be careful if you try that as the burn is breaking through and if you miscalculate your are in for a surprise.

I enjoyed skiing the ptarmigan/M2/Ciste fairway combination withe the occasional blast down the traverse into the cas and zigzags back to the train.

A number of park rats congregating around the cas shred.

It looks like the temperatures are going to climb over the next few days, make the most of it!

Some pics on facebook
[www.facebook.com]

Graeme

Starting to run out of different things to photograph!

Ptarmigan traverse, nice snow and wide


The upper M2 is one of the ways back to the ciste t-bar, I like this, wide and good quality snow


The ciste bowl is closed but it did not stop people using it. The burn is breaking through in a few places. Be careful.


The main traverse is wide and fast running down to the cas and 105.


The upper zigzag is in good condition but you can see the colour change at the bend. After this the snow is heavy and thin to the gun barrel where it is recommended you take your skis off, or not smiling smiley






Edited 1 times. Last edit at 19.47hrs Thu 23 Mar 17 by WindyMiller.

Attachments: traverse.JPG (214kB)   ZigZag.JPG (271kB)   Ptarmigan Traverse.JPG (207kB)   Ciste Bowl.JPG (217kB)   Upper m2.JPG (233kB)  
Current Page:7 of 10
Your Name: 
Your Email: 
Subject: