J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Snow Time

I had my first trip of the season to Cairngorm yesterday and conditions were perfect. Blue skies and no wind - is was fantastic. Unfortunately the snow line stops just above the Sheiling station so White Lady was closed.

Went back today and it was miserable; the vis was down to 50 metres in sleet. For beginners the Ciste Fairway is excellent but the Ciste Bowl is very icy and I wouldn't recommend it. 105 and Cas were good but the M1 and Gunbarrel are also icy making them quite tricky.

The forecast for this week is good so we'll hopefully have some more pictures like Pablo's posted soon.

Sorry if this has been covered before but does anyone have any experience of the Ribcap beanies with D3O. I've never worn a helmet when skiing (although hypocritically insist that the kids do) but these relatively new beanies look very good.

The YouTube tests look interesting but I'd be very grateful for any feedback from members who have seen Ribcaps in action.

Tony_H wrote:I just look at the weather forecast on sky news. And then unpack the car again.

I haven't found a less accurate, or more generalised, forecast than Sky News. They give the weather for Scotland, not a specific area. The graphics that they use may look nice but give you very little information. It can be blowing 60 mph with 50 metres visibility on Aonach Mor (Nevis) but be glorious sunshine and 20 mph winds at Cairngorm (and vise versa).

I could at least fifteen times this year when Sky News weather have had it completely wrong for the Highlands and Moray; both forecasting too good and too bad.

rossyhead wrote:i use www.winterhighland.com for weather forecasts etc-very accurate and updated veryday by the people up there-not by someone looking at a computer! also used by climbers and they swear by it!

The Winter Highland website is very good but it doesn't give a longer range forecast. However, for current and next day conditions it's excellent. I also use the Met Office synoptic charts which, again, give a very good 4-day forecast.

I think you were unlucky with your timing. I skied on Saturday 28th Feb and had a great day out with the kids. As I've said before the wind, rather than the lack of snow, causes the real problems at Cairngorm during most seasons. When the wind gets above around 35 mph they start to close the upper tows.

MyWeather.com (http://www.myweather2.com/Ski-Resorts/Scotland/Cairngorm.aspx) provides a very accurate 6-day forecast and I have found it to be very reliable.

Having said that, I completely understand that nobody wants to waste time and money by gambling on conditions, and most people have to book holidays in advance.

Ultimately, although you can't guarantee conditions in Scotland as you can (almost) in France, Austria and Switzerland, the skiing can be brilliant when the wind is down.

When were you up in February? That's when we had the amazing snow. I skied 3 out of the 4 weekends in February, once at the Lecht and twice at Cairngorm and it was fantastic.

I'd suggest that whizzing down a piste in the alps is not something you would normally think of arranging two days before setting off.

You - sarcastic? Surely not. :lol: