Scotland’s 2014-15 Ski Season Starts This Weekend

After the extreme 'weather bomb' hit Scotland on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing blizzards, 110mph gales, thunder and lightning storms, the weather conditions have eased dramatically overnight to make way for still conditions, blue skies and frosty weather.

Teams are up on the slopes at all five Scottish ski areas this morning assessing what's left – early reports indicate large drifts but in some cases main slopes scoured of snow cover by the gales, so centres are saying they'll need to plough slopes from the drifts on to the runs.

Access roads to The Lecht, Glenshee and Cairngorm (pictured above) have all been closed by snow over the past few days so these are needing to be cleared too.

All five centres are reported to be looking to see if they can open this weekend and most look likely to. The Lecht and Cairngorm have both said they definitely intend to open at least some terrain if they can. Cairngorm had also been snowmaking ahead of the storm.

Glenshee and Glencoe are also both saying they hope there'll be enough snow and for everything to be in a state of readiness for operational the weekend.

Only Nevis Range have said (yesterday) that they do not think they'll be able to open this weekend.

A statement from the operations team at Cairngorm said, "It is looking promising for opening for snow sports on Saturday, with at least a run to the middle and perhaps the Day Lodge using the Train for access . ….We will make an assessment today and have an update by the afternoon."

Am sure farmers have a similar contraption to that in photo which could result in that snow being collected in a following trailer and used to make piste base vs blown to side of road. Bet the guy even makes silage in summer.

Ranchero_1979 wrote:Am sure farmers have a similar contraption to that in photo which could result in that snow being collected in a following trailer and used to make piste base vs blown to side of road. Bet the guy even makes silage in summer.

Ranch, you need to understand there is no control of snow in Scotland. If you blow snow straight up, the westerlies will have it in the next valley quicker than.
And, the guy driving the blower, works in summer as a Professor of Solid State Particle Physics.

My concern was not his intellect or desire for hard work, have fond memories of earning pocket money milking cows. Was more innovation in building a good base for Scottish skiing using applicable agricultural technology. Wind has scoured a lot of the recent snow in Scotland and how slopes will have to be prepared from drift snow. In this case why stop at drifts.