All five Scottish ski areas are expected to be open this weekend with some of the best conditions this season after a roller coaster months of storms, snowfalls and thaws.
Conditions were looking good at the start of the season a fortnight before Christmas before storms damaged lifts and knocked out power at the West coast resorts of Glencoe and Nevis Range.
Once the centres were able to operate the next challenge was a Christmas thaw which saw double digit temperatures rapidly wipe out the snow packs and most of the centres close all or most of their terrain.
Over the past week however temperatures have been creeping back below freezing and although storms have been ongoing for more than a month now, fresh snow has been building back up on the slopes and all five centres are now largely fully open again.
However because conditions – particular recurring gale force winds – are ongoing, centres recommend more than ever that anyone planning to visit to ski and board checks opening direct with the centres before leaving home.
"Saturday is looking more favourable as predicted northerly winds normally don't affect us. Most runs are complete with good skiing on packed snow to the top station," said a statement from Nevis Range, "Patrol have not been able to access the back corrie in recent days, but we believe there is good cover."
At Glencoe to the south lower slopes have good cover of firm snow making 850m vertical descents possible. Main Basin and Happy Valley have good cover of firm snow while Flypaper, Spring Run, Rannoch and Etive Glades are very icy.
Over at Cairngorm above Aviemore snow cover has improved across the mountain. The Ciste Fairway and Ptarmigan Bowl have good cover, the former reported to be nice and wide with pisted, soft snow. The run down from top station to the traverse is now complete with fresh drifting, zig-zags have a thin cover from the end of the second one. There's also great cover and good snow conditions on the upper Cas.
In the East the Lecht the Eagle, Grouse, Chairlift, Robin, Wren and Kestrel runs all complete hard packed snow and at Glenshee to the south the East facing slopes now have an extensive cover of snow.