Patroller’s Blog - “Happy New Year Maybe”
Good News and maybe bad news for the New Year, Today we have been skiing in awesome powder, those of us who could get here that is with about 2 feet of fresh pow in places and the Patrol ,Ski School and overnight campers having it all until around midday when the road opened.
Bad News - MWIS latest is forecasting heavy overnight snow with blizzards and whiteouts accross the region tomorrow
Keeping the team back tonight to blow the roads wider and get all the carparks clear then back in at 6.00 am tomorrow. but it might all be in vain if the forecast is correct.
Wait and see i suppose.
Anyway Happy New Year to all.
Cheers
col
ps sorry about the amount of snow on the lower slopes, we forgot to switch the snow cannon off last night:o)
December 31st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
We got stuck in Aviemore today - missed our flight from Inverness. The hire car just couldn’t make it onto the A9 during the height of this morning’s snow! Good news is we got a room and the chance to stay for another day or two. We boarded Monday and Tuesday at Cairngorm, making it all the way down off-piste to the lower Car Park. It was great fun and it was fantastic to see so much snow there. Can’t imagine what it’s like now with another foot or two on top and more to come. We’ll be up first thing if it’s possible, but regardless - good luck with your efforts and all the best for 2010.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Very disapointed not to get anywhere near the mountain AGAIN!! Why, why, why can Cairngorm not cope with a decent amount of snow? We arrived at Aviemore at 8.30 but got no further than the Nethy bridge turnoff. Why does Cairngorm not invest in it’s own road clearing capability? Whatever they do have is clearly not enough or, start some serious plow sharing with the council. This happens EVERY TIME there is a dump of snow of any depth. What really galls is the lack of updates on the phone line, are we just expected to sit there until noon when the council plows eventually turn up to help? The web site has the cheek to grandly claim “the best skiing in Europe!” Absolute bunkum, no one can get to it!! Sadly once again we have to wait for Nevis to have suficcient cover, at least they can cope with the snow.
December 31st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Thanks AM
Skied some of the best powder of my life today, hope the weather plays ball over the next couple of days.
Paul cant be bothered listing all the reasons the Aviemore Glenmore road was in chaos,have a nice time at Nevis
Happy New Year
Col
December 31st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Wow,
I just dont understand why people cannot understand the amount of snow that fell the night before. Its the same in Europe if there is this amount of snow and drifting, then they have problems (my family did live in Switzerland for 7 years). We have had a lot of snow for the past couple of weeks!
It is the best snow in Europe, but you took the risk to wait at the snowgates. All you have to do is look at the A9 at the moment with 30mph traffic to understand how big a weather event this is up here. I waited at the snowgates for 3 hours the previous week and boy was it worth it. If Cairngorm stated an exact time they would open and failed you would have their heads!
Colin you and you guys keep your heads up. Doing a grand job trying to get the area open whilst keeping people safe. Ill be up when all the holiday makers disapear mid next week, when it is a wee bit quieter!
All the best and happy new year.
David
December 31st, 2009 at 7:23 pm
THanks David
Our heads were up today trying to breathe in all that powder, tried to get the fitters to make us some snorkels but they were having none of it. Pop in and see us so i can put a face to your name.
Off on the cross country skis to the Lily loch with the guys to have a wee sherry
Have a great Hogmonay
colin
December 31st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
hi there just wanted to say that I am amazed that you are able to keep going at all given the weather conditions at present and the fact that you do is a major credit to you and your staff, as someone who isnt a skier …ouch …i expect pelters for admitting to that , but someone who looks into your website on the run up to christms every year since we christmas as a family at the hilton coylumbridge , i was amazed when we arrived last thursday at the hotel just how poor the road conditions where in aviemore, by the time we checked out on monday it was a nightmare but the question has to be if skiing is the winter lifeblood for the aviemore area then the council have to really pull all the stops out to keep the roads as driveable as is humanely possible and I cant in truth say that i detected major counicl efforts either in and around aviemore or the a9 drive back to glasgow.
anyway best wishes to you and your staff
cheers
henry carey
December 31st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Enjoy the New Year! Question for you - you’ve said that the campers, Ski Patrol and Ski School all enjoyed the snow today ahead of the road opening. Lets say, hypothetically, that someone hiked it up to the mountain from the Glenmore gates, or indeed from anywhere. Would they be able to join in? Also, how does you guys get up there - what transport do you use?
January 1st, 2010 at 12:52 am
Alex
Definitely if you hiked up you could have been skiing, I,m usually up before the ploughs with a volvo v70xc with snowtyres all round and it is amazing in the deep snow, the rest of the guys are in navaras and landrover. Pretty much you are sure nothing is coming down the hill at the same time so you can give it the welly.
Have a good one
Colin
January 1st, 2010 at 7:40 am
I think you guys are doing a fantastic job, Inverness had to cancel their New Year’s celebrations last night due to the weather which was a huge huge event, yet you guys are working through the night and giving up your New Year just to open up for us guys (and Paul). I admire you all and thank you very much, I really hope to get up today or tomorrow and just can’t wait, think roads may be too bad at my end though! Happy New Year to you all and lets hope it’s a good one. X
January 1st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Colin,
I’d just like to wish all the staff at Cairngorm Mountain a very happy new year. I’d also like to say in response to Paul, “get out of your bed earlier and you’d have a chance to get up the mountain like the rest of us! I have been coming to Cairngorm for Skiing since I was 12 years old and am now in my late 40’s and have nothing but respect for all the front line workers who get the mountain ready for us all to enjoy this sport. It’s about time people stopped giving you guys a verbal kicking.
Finally a sterling job is done by you all keeping the road and carparks open, yesterday our drive filled in within an hour of us clearing it and we are in Inverness at sea level NOT up a mountain! Keep smiling and respect to you all!
Ps.
A wee suggestion would be to compile a short dvd to be shown on the screens at the base station to those waiting for the train on how to queue at the lifts and how to return the tbars and pommas. This may the assist the ignorant amoungst us who don’t seem to grasp the basic concept of queueing or safety.
January 1st, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Thanks for all the comments guys the team appreciate it.
Lorraine, we have a guy filming stuff now to put as you suggest on the screens so hopefully it will help people understand the correct way to do things.
Another great snow day on the mountain today and we got the road open as soon as we could but then about 50 cars got stuck, i think anyone who is thinking of coming to the hill over the next couple of weeks should invest in snow chains and snow tyres and we could probably let more people up sooner.
Cheers
Colin
January 1st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Hi Colin,
Happy New Year to you and all the team. And well done to the team for working overnight on Hogmanay to try and keep the road open - not my idea of fun.
To Paul,
As far as I’ve seen this year CML have been doing a good job of ploughing out the hill road (Cas to Glenmore) which is their responsibilty. Not sure the council is doing as well on the section from Aveimore to Glenmore. However it can’t be helped by idiots who park on the road by police no parking cones reducing the road to single track. It was starting to cause traffic problems the last time I was up - and the roads were pretty good.
I dive a fwd fabia with winter tyres all round (and chains in the boot). The winter tyres make a big differnce. If you drive a rwd car with wide low profile summer tyres that are basically slicks with a few grooves then leave your car at home (or fit winter tyres) as you will inevitably get stuck and cause problems.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Colin,
Merry new year to you and all the hard working lads and lassies on the Gorm.
In response to Pauls comments I would like to say I have been skiing on the Gorm for 25 years now and like most people I have had many gripes in that time also.
Things have changed on the Gorm, and they are definitely for the better.
I think we all recognise that the facillities are woefully inadequate but we also recognise that you and your team are doing the very best they can with the equipment you’s have and don’t deserve such harsh criticism.
I am desperate to see some new investment on the Gorm and would ask Paul not to withdraw his custom from the ski area, but to keep supporting it and hopefully we will begin to see some new infrastucture on the mountain through time.
I personally think that there is a bit of a feelgood factor around the mountain and Scottish skiing in general, which hopefully will translate into better times for all.
So Paul, please continue to support the Gorm and enjoy the absolutely spectacular snowfalls of recent days.
January 1st, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Good day today. We left our hire car at the hotel - it would never have got up there. We got a cab to the end of the queue at the Glenmore gates and arrived before 9. We then hiked up the road to the mountain - afraid to say we used the exit route for the last stint. What a hike - blizzard for most of the way but the occasional passing ploughs made it easier! I think it took us maybe 1.5 hours - I was carrying two snowboards and I was knackered when I got to the carpark! But…we beat the cars up, and that felt good indeed! And exercise like that is a good way to start any year. Great fun today again. We’ll be sorry to leave the place tomorrow - but well done guys - you did well to keep the place working in snowfall like that; the falls over the last week are rare even in the Alps.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:34 am
We made it up to Scotland as planned but after 13 hours of driving decided to head for Glenshee to ski for the day on New years Eve as the forcast for the gorm was not looking to cleaver with gusts of 50 mph forcast my MWIS, after 3 hours waiting the road was open and we had a great afternoon skiing! Left glenshee at 3.30 and arrived in Aviemore at 7pm! I have never seen so much snow in all my life! As planned we managed to make it to ski at Cairngorm (albiet a day latter than planned!) We sat in the hotel watching the web site for updates on the road that morning, as soon as we see the road was open (this was about 11.45 we jumped in the car from the Hilton and headed straight up, sadley the gate was closed by the time we reached it 15 mins later. by two pm we was on the train and on the way up to the top! Apart form the white out ( which made it quite interesting skiing down blind!
0 we had a great couple of hours! We first ski’d in scotland two years ago new year and was moaning that there was only one run open! I couldnt believe the amount of people complaining about the road and the amount of snow??????? Surely saftey does come first! I think you guys did a teriffic job! The drive from glenshee the night before (We tried to cut though over the mountian the the Lecht) was one of the most challenging I have ever done! fwd car new tyres (but not winter or snow) and we barly got up a lot of the hills! I think it was a job well done you even manged to get any one up there with the amount of snow you had!
I read a lot of posts on here about people complaing of the prices, its £30!!!! it would cost you more than that for two to go watch a film now days! we brought two half day tickets and it was the best £20 each we have spent for ages! There was something quite special about being up there for new year and we will defintaly be there next year! (fingers crossed for lots of snow again!)
My only little moan was that after all the excitement I couldnt wait for a hot chocolate before the 13 hour drive home, and was a little dissapointed to be informed by dougie thast the cafe at the bottom was closing early as they needed to get everyone out of the car parks as soon as possible, this was a little disapoitning seeing as the lifts were staying open still for a further 20 mins????
apart from that it was a memorible experence! well done to you all and see you soon!
Russ
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:56 am
Russ
Thanks for all your positive comments and glad you had a great time at Glenshee and here, and still the snow is pumping down with a bit of wind also today causing us some more problems on the road. The drifting is preventing us getting the train on due to the drifting but we have the surface lifts open from the Cas level down. I think the reason we shut the Cas Bar early was because they need half an hour after closing time to clean up, i,ll shout you two on the house next time you are up.
Cheers
Colin
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:16 am
Happy New Year to everyone at Cairngorm,
I’d just like to say that I had an amazing day at the Gorm on the 28th. It was a first for me in 25 years of coming that I’ve had to park in the Ciste carpark. You had your act together with the shuttle buses though, we hardly waited 15 mins it seems. The cash only desk is a godsend as well, as most people forget to bring enough.
The crowds reminded me of a weekend in 1985 on a school trip to Lagganlea but for some reason the queues weren’t that bad. Other than when the M1 blew up and we had to get the funicular, we never had to wait longer than 5 minutes.
The icing on the cake of a great day was the last run down the White Lady. My mate and I stopped to the left of the funicular track looking down as a piste basher appeared and groomed the whole line down. Figure 8’s all the way down. Sweet.
I know how good the snow was on Monday, I can only imagine how good it is now. Can’t wait to book a few mid week days off.
One question, is it ok to park up over night (I’ve got a VW T4 that I’ve converted) in the carpark?
Cheers
Ali
January 3rd, 2010 at 6:35 am
Cheers Ali
I would recomend you park up on the left hand side looking up the hill next to the bank, we have major problems trying to clear the car parks of snow due to overnighters parking everywhere, if they all kept together in a line it makes it easier for the machines to move around.
Colin
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hi,
Made it up on to the mountain on Friday afternoon, we anticipated early problems with the road/car park as there was yet more continual snow fall so, left Inverness later than usual. We queued for an hour at the Glen More gates and then got in the 2nd cohort of 20 cars allowed up. By that time the road up was in better condition than lower down, in Aviemore or even the A9! So good job on the road clearing on the upper mountain. We managed to get on the funicular for 2.00 for a short half day in excellent powder. I brought my chains and found them useful in the car park but not required on the road up by that time. As we drove past all the snowed up cars at glen more I realised a lot of the probs in road clearing may not be due to the incredible snow fall alone, I guess police cones alone may not be sufficient.
Looks like plenty more snow on the way so I will keep checking for clear days when the roads will be passable.
Yesterday I boarded in about 2 feet of powder, in the trees, at less than 500m on a wee hill north of inverness! Truly exceptional times.
I don’t think I was entirely unjustified at my earlier frustration at not getting up the hill on Thurs. But I do appreciate the scale of the task and the effort involved. Here’s hoping this year is a bumper one for all at Cairngorm.
Paul
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Hi Paul
Thanks for coming back up and i hope you keep coming. Plenty more wintry weather coming as you say so i,d keep the chains handy. a lot of the problems at glenmore come from people who do not realise that where they leave their cars can cause huge problems for everyone.
Perfect day today again although the off piste has gone slabby but should be good on a board. The East side of the Ciste Gully and No.s 1 and 2 Gully’s are well dodgy so we will keep them closed for the present.
Cheers
Colin
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Cheers Colin,
If I’m staying overnight I’ll try and get the other vans to move to the left as well. Might be a hard task but hey, its all about doing your bit.
Can’t wait to get back up.
Ali
January 3rd, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Colin I was in the ciste basin early this afternoon on my way to the Aonach Bowl and heard what I thought was dynamite being used to release avalanches. Were the ski patrol trying to shift the cornices that have built up on the east wall of the ciste gully?
Thanks to all the team for your efforts in getting things running over the last 10 days it has been greatly appreciated.
January 3rd, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Caroline
We were trying some explosive type bang flares, fired in to the snow from the West Wall side. They went in to the snow on the East Walls of the gully to see if they would move anything, i think they made a few holes but then the vis closed in again and thought it was a bit dodgy to go over there and have a closer look. Further down the east side adjacent to the bottom of the west wall poma hut, there certainly seems to be quite a cornice building up. Unfortuneately in the midst of the building of the funicular our explosives store mistakenly got removed when they were taking down some of the old buildings so we have nowhere to store proper explosives. You never know if this winter keeps on like this we might have to get another one,but they cost a fortune.
Cheers Colin
January 4th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Hi!
Just returned from a fantastic three days skiing. Had been watching the snow piling in and an improving forecast around New Year, bit the bullet and headed north. My two kids learnt to ski and I learnt to drive on the dodgiest roads ever! Stayed in Aberlour on New Year’s Eve (in bed for 10 and up at 6), never thought we’d make it to Aviemore - but we were on the slopes as soon as the road was opened. The half day’s skiing on the second day was great, and we stayed on for a bonus third day (because we didn’t expect to get up the mountain on day 2!).
Anyway - the local council do a pretty good job opening the public roads and keeping them as safe as possible when temperatures are -10C, but their job is nothing compared to the job done by all the workers at the ski centre - they obviously love their jobs.
It seems to me that most delays and infrastructure issues are down to the unreliability of the British weather and the effect this has on attracting sufficient paying customers. Although bad weather closes ski resorts all the time, regardless.
Anyway, a few comments as first timers to Aviemore with two children new to skiing… we could perhaps have used a bit more information / facilities for beginner skiers (e.g. whether to go to top station or middle, easier escape routes from poma no. 4, a beginners area near burnside when the funicular is closed and t-bar 2 is too difficult), some kind of illuminated piste map to show us which slopes are open and restricted access to the top runs at poma 4 where over enthusiastic boarders (and skiers) tend to launch themselves having not quite got over the excitement of the gunbarrel.
Having said that, by day three we were familiar with the drill and the kids could manage the t-bar and poma. Thanks for helping my kids get hooked on skiiing - it will last them a lifetime.
Hope to see you Jan 11.
January 4th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
As a staff member all you positive comments help with our moral, some of the team are working very long unsociable hours (not me) and it’s good to hear your words of praise. Thanks John
January 5th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Hi Coilin,
Can’t remember the last time I felt so excited about skiing in Scotland, haven’t made it up yet but hoping to do so over the coming weekends.
One point you might want to clear up is the current status of the White Lady t-bar. My understanding is this was now permanetly decomissioned and will not be reinstated. If so why is it still shown as a lift on the piste map.
If there are plans for it what are they.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Scott
January 5th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Hi Scott
Yes the white lady t-bar is no more and i am trying to get it taken off the Lift Status page as it is confusing. If it was up to me i would like to see another poma adjacent to the M1 to help with demand from mid mountain up, some of the people(experts!) out there think that climate change will mean us getting colder winters so maybe we will make enough money to re invest in the lift infrastructure.
Cheers
Colin
January 5th, 2010 at 9:09 am
With regards the Sheiling Tow, I was thinking the other day it would be a good idea to rope off the 1 of the 3 fenced lines so it could only be accessed from the Sheiling Tow when they all have good cover. This would give beginners a dedicated bit without all different ability levels mixing.
Any joy with the flares on the East Wall? Even if the full wall couldn’t open it would be good to be able to use the less steep parts of Laogh Mor for a long run when the shuttle buses are running.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Colin,
Thanks for everything over the last couple of weeks - I can but echo everyone’s comments above about the commitment of staff etc. Especial thanks to your good self for sorting out a ride up in the snow plough on Saturday to fetch my skis when we thought the mountain would be closed, slight embarrassment on my part when it opened shortly after I got down! Soon forgotten though after a superb half day of skiing with the family (no pow and steep runs for me that day but it was fun all the same). My wife, who has only done a couple of weeks in the Alps before this (and was a bit iffy about skiing) is now hooked thanks to Cairngorm so you’ve done a better job there than the Alps!
Will see you in Feb when we’ll be up for just over a week
BTW, I like the comment above about climate change, here’s hoping and here’s to more investment in the infrastructure, particularly anything that relieves the M1 Poma and widens choice of mid-mountain uplift
Keep up the great work and well done all.
Roger
January 5th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Thanks Roger see you in Feb.
Yeah good idea Alan to keep a bit free for the beginners, will try it out and see how we get on. We are getting some more bang flares from the boys from the Cairngorm MRT and will probably have another go tomorrow if the weather is ok,really need some good vis for this caper!
Cheers
Colin
January 5th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Hey folks, ventured up on the 29th before you got more snow. Even then, where were the groomers? Have skiied all over the world cannot understand why you cannot:
Groom all runs/trails, if you groom, the snow compacts and lasts through the thaw effect.
Organise an effective que system when busy, rather than rely on the old guard to start a new que with idiots jumping in.
When you are at capacity stop selling tickets. Sorry you snooze you loose.
Get another coffee machine and sell it outside the restaraunt with simple snacks, rather than que for 45 minutes to get a coffee.
Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m proud of Scottish skiing, but dont say the best in Europe/the World when once you have managed to get to the lower car park, walked upto the day lodge qued for everything to enjoy no groomed runs, thats not the best, its Scottish skiing.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I was up on the 29th - I had no probs with the amount of pisting. Most of the main runs were in pretty good nick, and those that weren’t pisted had nice powder on them - and who wants the piste machine packing down the powder. The queues were pretty well self policed as far as I could see, though I spent most time on the WWP.
There was a much shorter queue for drinks in the T-bar at the base station. I didn’t make it into the Ptarmigan (guessed it might be busy), but if you just want drinks the queue is often shorter in the bar downstairs.
The coffee machine isn’t a bad idea though. Alternatively could the Sheiling be used for packed lunches and have a minimal hot/cold drinks cold snacks service on busy weekends or is it no longer in a fit state to be used?
January 5th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Glad to see that most of the comments here are really positive. To those who are negative and compare skiing in Scotland to elsewhere is absolutely not fair given the uncertainty of the snow here. I really marvel at how a business can run so efficiently in the face of such unpredictability regarding the weather. At very short notice you have to be able to run at full capacity, other winters there’s been no snow to speak of over the Christmas period. As I say I think you all do a fantastic job and really appreciate the logistical feat of getting everything ready when long term planning can’t be possible.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Hi all, don’t listen to the negative comments, me and 8 friends are coming up on the 4th of February, we have been coming up for the last 5 years and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else, you guys do a tremendous job, keep it up, and make sure that mountain is open for us on the 4th :0)
January 6th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I learned something recently. I often use www.snow-forecast.com when abroad in the Alps and it’s (for the most part) reasonably reliable, at least for the next day or so - the longer range stuff is massively volatile. But…it’s completely and utterly irrelevant for Cairngorm. Over the last two weeks - for the first week I was up there and for the second I’ve been reading this site from down South and I’ve saw that the amount of snow that’s fallen is orders of magnitude over what Snow Forecast suggests. Why do you think it’s so completely out for Cairngorm? I know it’s a slightly odd place weather wise - you can see a foot fall on Cairngorm and nothing in Aviemore on the same day, just ten miles away, but interested as to why people think the forecast on this site is just so far out?
I know MWIS is more appropriate but interested in why SF’s forecasting model is so innappropriate for the Cairngorm - don’t know about the other Scottish resorts…?
January 6th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Ohwow! Despite being turned back at A9 in the evening and having an unscheduled night in A’more, yesterday’s skiing was quite spectacular and well worth the effort.
We lived on the Coire Cas and really appreciated the big-heartedness of all the staff and also the punters (does snow make people nicer?)
I did wonder about 2 things -
1) A large map of all runs could be useful at both the bottom of the funicular and the top. And perhaps some inside the funicular? The maps are as useful as the tube map for London tourists! This means that, during queues and waits everyone can orientate themselves, agree on routes or where to meet.
2) At the point where the zig zags met the Car-park T-bar tow, a real log-jam issue was happening repetitively. People speeding off the zig-zags sometimes got in the way of the tow. And beginners worried about the sharp start to the home road immediately after the tow either backed up at that point or take a tumble. I don’t know how this one is resolved - even a bigger sign pointing out the path of the tow would be good.
Thank you for bringing my backpack down on the final funicular last night. We were the first customers at the snow gates and the final customers to leave.
The positivity and effort of all the staff was really obvious. Thank you all!
January 6th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
New blog please!
January 6th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
PS Were those chairlifts I saw moving just below the bottom station??
PPS Shame about explosive store. Can you not create an explosive-holding bunker in the rock face?
January 6th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
What is the chances of the west wall / ciste gully area being secure enough to open up in the next few days?? - I am planning a trip up either thurs or friday but if most of the steeper terrain is too unstable to open I will probably go elsewhere. I will be truely gutted if we make the trip up to you guys only to find half the area shut due to avalance risk. - Hope you have had some luck with the bang flares Colin and it would be good to let us know how you got on
Cheers
Scott
January 6th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Sophie
There are 2 huge piste maps on the wall in the top station, even 1 in gaelic.
Yes there is a bottle neck at the top of the car park tow and we try and manage it with nets and signs so will maybe stick a few more signs there.
Scott.
We will have the West Wall poma on with the M2 for access, we checked the East Wall above the home road and reckon it is OK, and the East Wall of the Lady was good fun today. We were over on the gully side this afternoon and to be perfectly honest at the moment the skiing is not that great over there, pretty slabby and crusty with strugie bits as well. We will try and piste a route Over Yonder back to the Ciste car park.
We will have two shuttle busesd running at the weekend and one on Thursday and Friday so that is an option, also as Alan(WH) says if you know where you are going the route to Laogh Mhor back to the ciste car park shouild be safe enough
January 6th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Colin,
just back from extended Christmas, missed all the action. planning on making up for it now though. What do you reckon best plan for thursday and friday is - up crowding the gates first thing or longish lie and let the early punters track out the road up?! Ski road looks like fun, and the estates around the village are a hoot!
(i hope that dug aint in the mood for fetch when ye’re pitching thoses bangs!)
January 6th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Finally made it up today after long journey as Grantown road was closed. Just wanted to say a big well done to all your guys for keeping the road open. I had to creep along the A9 from Inverness to Aviewmore, road was horrendous and thought about turning back as thought it could only be worse up the hill, however, kept going and it turned out the best road of all was from Glenmore right up. Had a fantastic days skiing and can’t wait for rest of the mountain to open up again. I take it the ptarmigan bowl and west side was all closed off due to avalanche risk? Is it safe to ski down the M2, or is that at risk too? The one thing I really noticed today was how friendly everyone was, not just your staff but skiers as well. And finally, a big thank you to Helen from the Ranger’s Base who helped out my boys get pass holders.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Hi Barry
Hard to say, normally we would be not so busy during the week and expect the crowds at the weekend but because we have the best snow we have had for many years and the forecast looks great we could be pretty busy. The road boys were staying back again tonight to widen the roads and carparks with the blower so there should be no problems there.Maybe thursday is your best bet.
Hi Susan,
Yes the M2 is safe and the top bowls and the West Wall poma will be open tomorrow, hope to see you up here enjoying a few bluebird days.
Cheers
Colin
January 6th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Could someone point me to an online account of this Laogh Mhor to Ciste Carpark route? Last week we boarded down past the West Wall poma and the link poma and then down to the burn and had to hike a bit to get back to the carpark - still quite enjoyable though. I’m guessing it’s to the right of that route (looking down) and up high along the ridge?
January 7th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I have been away since Dec 1st but have been watching the web constantly to see how the mountain is fairing. I am on the last leg of my journey home now and cannot wait to get up.
Long may the snow stay and hers for successfuly profitable season Colin
January 7th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
We are regulars at the Gorms throughout the season and were up again on the 3rd Jan. Just had to post a note to say that it was one of the best days skiing we’ve had in a long time….pity we couldn’t see where we were going at the top….lol
Being able to ski from top to the bottom is great at the best of times when you get the chance, but at this time of year is just plain fantastic…!!!!
Also would like to say that I don’t think that some people appreciate all the hard work the team at the Gorm’s have to do, simply to let us mere mortals slide down the mountain side…..So please keep up all your good hard work and I know it must drive you all round the twist from time to time.
Although we don’t need them having a road legal go anywhere 4 x 4 tank with off-road tyres…(Nissan Patrol)…lol…I have to say that advising all drivers on your website to either have snow tyres or chains was a very good idea….Just a pity that hardly anyone was taking the advice. The number of numpty’s who had left their cars by the side of the road at Glenmore was just plain madness!!!
A little suggestion….
I recon that it might be a good idea to do what they do abroad when weather/road conditions demand and that’s have a to have a check-point somewhere well before the main access road to the carparks to make sure idiots don’t get a chance to block the route to the slopes by not either driving a 4 x 4 or having snow chains with them….If your not in a 4 x 4 or if you don’t have chains you get turned back….If you do have chains with you, you must fit them there and then or go no further…!!!
I would recon that the local police would agree that it’s worth a thought and may be prepared to help as lets face it, it would prevent call-outs from unnecessary accidents, saving them both time and money and of course keep the access roads clear for both emergency vehicles and those who are totally prepared to drive in bad road conditions.
The only down side I can see is that it could effect the number of people getting up a wee bit, therefore upset your ticket sales, but in the interests of safety, wouldn’t it be something to think about, especially if this fantastic skiing weather is going to continue?
Anyway….I hope to be up again very, very soon…So keep up all your good work and hope you have a very long season of fantastic skiing weather…you all deserve it.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
In response to Dex’s suggestion about having a control point, yes it would affect your ticket sales, but if there was a suitable area where you could have a \park and ride\ system, would that work? If it did, skiers would get right up to the Station and also relieving the car parks a bit. Food for thought.
Hope to get up on Saturday, work gets in the way of a good thing!
January 8th, 2010 at 7:59 am
Yes i agree with the way this winter is going snow tryes or chains would help greatly, especially in outlying areas and Hotel car parks and the like, we will give it some thought about checkpoints and park and ride ideas. All though when our car parks are full and shuttle buses running we have about 3500 people on site which is probably enough for a comfortable operation with our current infrastructure.
Looks like an epic few days in prospect.
Come on up
Cheers
Col
January 8th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
The trouble with chains is that there’s a temptation to delay putting them on until it gets a bit hairy, by which time it may be a dangerous spot to be fiddling with wheels - and your nearside wheel may be against a snow bank. Wherever you fit them speed is essential, so it’s important to practise fitting them a few times at home until you can do it really quickly. I carry a couple of bits of wood to kneel on and an old jaiket - when you really need to fit chains the car is probably cacked up with salt and stuff and you can get in a real mess. OK most of you know all this anyway but there’s always one…!
But re my first point could the bottom illuminated sign have a message when appropriate saying something like if you have chains fit them now? Actually you need it at Glenmore - too late at the illuminated one.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Good idea Andrew, will do
Thanks
Col
January 8th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I use Winter Tyres on an old 4wd Audi. Vredestein Extremes - pop ‘em on in November, take them off in March - they wear too quick in warm weather to leave on year round. Much better in the winter generally in cold and wet weather - not just on snow. I believe the guidance is they’re better in temps below 7oC. I have chains too but I have not yet needed them, even in the Alps. I don’t get why more people don’t use winter tyres - the benefits are very significant. In my experience a 2wd car on winter tyres will climb up slopes that 4wd regular car on summer tyres will not. I’m excluding off-roaders/landies here! Put the two together and it’ll get you through most events. I live in southern England but I’d expect them to be near essential in the Highlands…? All this recent fuss over the weather down here just seems a bit silly when you’re properly equipped!
January 9th, 2010 at 10:46 am
A 4 x 4 is only as good as its driver!!! It does not guarantee that you can drive it in snow. The driver has to know what they are doing!! Take this morning….letting up only 4 x 4s and cars with snow chains….and what got stuck on the road? I’ll give you one guess!
January 9th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Absolutely, there were even people saying they had 4×4 but did not, adding to the chaos, hopefully all is well now
Col
January 9th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Colin - re your original message on this blog, it occurs to me that this new snow cannon is just awesome. I’d never have believed it without seing the effects with my own eyes. But with respect, could you maybe switch it off for a day or two?
January 9th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Like AM says, a 4X4 with the wrong tyres isn’t much better than 2wd with snow tyres! i use the vredesteins too on a 4wd and they make a huge difference; traction is much improved and they cope with just about anything. the limiting factor pretty much then being down to ground clearance in deeper snow.
January 9th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Andrew we would switch the cannon off but we canny find it, its buried somewhere.
Phil i have vredsteins on the xc but i must admit got stuck in the link road in big drifts the other morning, looking to get a raising kit for it!!
Cheers
col
January 9th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
‘Fraid I’ve not risked driving over from Aberdeen, but was over at Huntly Nordic and outdoor Centre today (sat 9th) helping to prepare a track for a race tomorrow. I have Vredestein snowtracs on my skoda. Still you can have problems when your car is grounding out on the snow between the wheel tracks, and starting from where I parked up was dificult - ended up having to reverse back to get a run, turn of ASR and rev it rather more than i would like in a fairly high gear. Was fine once I got a bit of speed up and was on the packed snow.
Your definitley doing a better job than the council at keeping the road open - though the council were doing a really good job of clearing the snow from the roads in the centre of Huntly with diggers - parked cars were a problem.
January 9th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
you need one of these Colin!! http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/2005-Volvo-XC70-AT-Concept-SA-1920×1440.htm Just copy and paste the link.
January 9th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Phil
In the words of \Little Britain\ I want that one.
Cheers
Col
January 9th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Niiiice!!! Trouble is, most years it would only be useful for a few days a year..
January 10th, 2010 at 11:45 am
At Glenshee I note that on busy days they set up a make-shift ’stall’ at the foot of Coire Fionn. Basically consisting of one member of staff, a money box, and a table with basic foods such as pre-packed sandwiches, bottles of water/drinks, chocolate bars, pies, sausage rolls, etc.
This had the advantage that - not only did it mean that skiers could avoid the crowded cafés and therefore ease congestion in those, but it was slopeside (’ski in, ski out’) which greatly added to convenience.
It would be easy to set up something similar during busy days on CairnGorm, particularly in crowded areas - the Cas middle station would be perfect for this as due to the nature of the lift network it is a point where people naturally gather and wait around. Furthermore, being at mid-station the Funicular can easily drop off supplies whenever needed etc.
So therefore it’d be convenient, easy to do, and at Glenshee it seemed to be just what people needed/wanted. Ok so not the most stylish form of catering, but the skiers wouldn’t mind as it means avoiding the queues in the Ptarmigan and Cas Bar (at the same time as easing congestion in those outlets), and it means they don’t have to go out of their way to be fed! I’d say also that you’d get custom from people that would otherwise not bother. It’s a far better option than having to make changes to the Cas Bar or Ptarmigan, and far far cheaper than having to operate the Shieling for only a few days each season.
Any thoughts?
January 10th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Aye jamie, some good ideas there, i will pass on to Doogie and see what we can do. We have the fish and chip van in the carpark just now but something at mid mountain would help.
Cheers
Colin
January 10th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
what about the sheiling
January 10th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Without meaning to tempt fate, this year looks like turning into a real classic. With the exception of the 2007 season, every season since say 2005 has been fairly successful with some great conditions at times – Feb 2009, April 2008, early March 2005 to name but a few occasions. With this in mind, if this season keeps going the way it is, what are the chances of seeing some of the old uplift resurrected – in particular the Ciste Chairs? I know money is still incredible tight up there, but it would be great if these lift were brought back. Glenshee have already proven this year that it is possible to bring lifts back from the dead with the Meall Odhar T-bar now running again (I think I’m correct in saying the White Lady T-bar calls Glenshee home now too). With the run to the ciste almost becoming an official piste again, think I’ve skied it 3 seasons in a row now, it would be great to see them turn once more.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
colin
This is a copy of a previous blog message BUT it is still so relevant that I have pasted it again and added my own comments at the end.
Very disapointed not to get anywhere near the mountain AGAIN!! Why, why, why can Cairngorm not cope with a decent amount of snow? We arrived at Aviemore at 8.30 but got no further than the Nethy bridge turnoff. Why does Cairngorm not invest in it’s own road clearing capability? Whatever they do have is clearly not enough or, start some serious plow sharing with the council. This happens EVERY TIME there is a dump of snow of any depth. What really galls is the lack of updates on the phone line, are we just expected to sit there until noon when the council plows eventually turn up to help? The web site has the cheek to grandly claim “the best skiing in Europe!” Absolute bunkum, no one can get to it!!
I myself arrived just outside Kenmore at 9.15 yesterday morning and was finally allowed access to the lower car park at 12.35. the Q there waiting for the shuttle bus to join the Q at the ticket office was huge
Colin are you the operations manager ? I would suggest if you are you get out a bit more as the previous blogger made very clear this is not the 1st time that you and your staff have failed to get the roads open and the car parks clear in time for customers! or are you going to tell me each time this happens it’s such a surpise you couldn’t possibly have prepared for it!
January 10th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Best 3 days ever!! - Thanks a lot to all at Cairngorm
Here’s to an epically monstrous season.
January 10th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Hey Noddy Wheres big ears when you need him.
Sunday night done 14 12 hr days and an all nighter, couple of days off now, will post a reply soon after i,ve been out a bit more
Cheers
Colin
January 10th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Noddy, not sure which day you’re talking about, but either way if you only got to the nethy bridge turnoff then the problem is not CML’s, nor the Cooncil, but yours I’m afraid. The ski road has been as it is for a while now and thousands of cars have made it to the top (you wanna try gettin out of our estate - nightmare, it aint seen a plough since the snow began weeks ago!). An alternative to driving if your car doesnt like the conditions are buses from the village. Or post on winterhighland for example for carshare, lifts etc
Also, sorry to say as I’m not sure how long a drive you had, but 8.30 and 9.15 are simply far too late to arrive. I live in Aviemore and was in the cas carpark this morning by 7.30 (I think I was parked second in line beside Colin!). Now I know it’s easy for me to do so, and for this morning it was overkill because 8am would’ve been fine, but the point is, by doing this I guranteed myself skiing and a parking spot at the top. The fact that the tows were spinning shortly after 8am and open to the punters around 8.20 or so meant I had a few great runs around the hill with only a handful of folk up while the bacon was cooking!
It’s busy, the roads are a challenge, there’s superb skiing to be had, but really you have to try and do your own bit to avoid some of the inevitable mayhem these conditions bring! Hope you get back up again soon, it really is worth the effort - today was brass monkeys wind chill but just amazing skiing.
Colin, have a word and get the porridge back on the go in the restaurant will you (I’ll bring the flask with the livener ;-))
Also I was thinking today - do ye still have a portable tow? I remember one going up to the quarter-pipe above the ptarmigan a few years ago. If so the big expanse between burndside and the carpark runs would make a great alternative beginners area for ski school etc if you could get a drag in there somewhere. Dont think I’ve seen that area so well covered before.
Great few days out, thanks to the team
BF
January 10th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Colin,
Noddy must realise that you sit at a desk all day. Good to see you out and about each time I am up. Noddy must think you clear all roads in Strathspey. Noddy must realise that 3500 people get up earlier than he does. Noddy must be delusional that the area is going to be quiet on the weekends. Noddy wants you to plan his journeys for him.
Keep your head up. Great skiing. Great service. Long may it continue!
Colin could you start a new blog with any new updates. Know your busy but it would be great.
Your staff is doing a fantastic job!
Cheers,
David
January 10th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Just home to Dumfries after an epic day at cairngorm and wanted to thank you and your staff for your obvious hard work.
I was not there yesterday and I dont know what happened with the Q but I am sure Colin that it had nothing to do with any implied incompetence on your part.
Only one other wee point : Keep that snow cannon dont send it back after the trial period !
Thanks again 3 very happy boarders and a happy skier too …
January 11th, 2010 at 8:29 am
David,
You took the words out of my mouth (well, I wouldn’t have said them as well as you).
I got caught up in the congestion on Saturday, realised that something major had happened and we just all had a bit of a laugh with all the other skiers. Snowboarders were having a great time, everyone seemed to be in good spirits. I did feel for you guys on Saturday.
Can I make a suggestion though - portaloos dotted down the Rothiemurchus road - lol!
Keep your spirits up Colin, we know what you do. X
January 11th, 2010 at 10:22 am
If it’s not too wild for any uplift, then today (and similar days) would be a good one to try restricted access on the hill road. It’s much easier to keep the drifting snow under control by packing a layer down and ploughing, rather than trying to clear it completely, plus if only suitably shod vehicles are allowed up, there isn’t so much concern about getting everyone down again.
It’s also much quieter so a better day to try it out. Limit access to 2wd with chains and 4wd WITH SNOW TYRES. If the lower lifts can run, it means some income instead of none.
January 11th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Had a great weekend up at Cairngorm this week. Was a pity the road couldn’t get cleared but we coped and got a partial refund on our full day tickets.
Spent the whole day on the Ciste side on Saturday (thank goodness they never removed the DLP a couple of years ago or the place would have been carnage).
Laps of the Ciste Car Park Run (followed by Bus and DLP) were quicker than the 7 deep queue to ride the M1. And if the WWP queue ever died down the run down the M2 and then down to the Ciste car park has to have been one of the best runs in europe on Saturday and Sunday and we had it to ourselves most of the day, lots of freshies!
What this weekend showed to me though was the lack of Mid-Mountain uplift. If the season continues like this is there any chance of getting the WWC unmothballed and up and running? Would ruin my powder but would make a huge difference to the queues and avaiable terrain for more advanced riders. Looking up the mountain at the weekend you could see 7 or 8 deep queues for the tows but near empty runs as everyone was stuck waiting on uplift.
I had a great time though - good job patrol and groomers.
January 11th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Thanks for all the hard work you’ve put in over the past weeks, it must have been pretty gruelling at times. Here’s hoping the wind will die out a bit before Thursday so i can get back up!
January 11th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Colin,
You guys are doing a fab job so keeps your heads up and don’t take to heart the negative and non constructive comments. I don’t understand why the small minority of people wouldnt think you were doing the best job possible. To those who are unhappy perhaps suggest what they would do better rather than leaving negative comments???
We came up last night for a days boarding today but unfortunately the weather was not on ours or CML side. Had a fab time playing on the small hill and kicker at the hotel though. Came up on the 30th December but were too late on the hill and sales suspended for day so did a bit of hiking up and boarding down.
I understand (like the makority of others) that this year there has been an unbelievable amount of snow and everyone is enjoying the novelty of it at present. At the end of the day snowsports in Scotland is unpredictable and you guys are doing an amazing job.
Coming up next Monday so 3rd time lucky and if not then we’ll have fun anyway. COlin could you perhaps arrange some fresh powder, clear roads, blue sky, great vis and no wind - only kidding.
Lynne
January 11th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Colin,
What is the feasabilty of getting the chairlifts up and running this year.
There are a number of people out there who would be more than prepared to come up and give a hand with digging out checking and prepeartion work as required. There are a lot of people put off coming up to Cairngorm becasuse of the queues for mid mountain uptlift especially on your busiest days. It would also open up a lot more terrain.
I for one have never experienced a lot of the terain in the area as not that accessible just using the wwp.
Rob
January 11th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Great work chaps, 3 days last week loved it, well done and thanks.
Noddy you are a …………………Big male chicken
January 12th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
why was nobby in Kenmore, no wonder he didn’t make it to Cairngorm until after 12!
“I myself arrived just outside Kenmore at 9.15 yesterday morning and was finally allowed access to the lower car park at 12.35. the Q there waiting for the shuttle bus to join the Q at the ticket office was huge”
January 12th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Thanks again for all the comments folks, good and not so good i guess we cant please everybody all the time but we do our best with what we,ve got.
Barry, i think the rope tow is in bits scattered about the hill so will have to look and see if it can be put together, and i will see about the porridge.
Regarding the West Wall Chair unfortuneately it is too far gone to be able to get it up and running at short notice, some of the tower bases are unsafe in their present state, electrics are shot and we have been robbing control stuff to keep the Ciste Tow up and running. I reckon it would need a whole summer and some cosiderable cash and also a road built in from the Ciste CarPark. Who knows what might happen if we make some money this season, but thanks for the kind offer of help.
Alan i,ve been off the last couple of days but have been told that the road has been a lost cause in trying to clear it and there would have been no uplift anyway. Tomorrow looks dodgy as well but we have 360 diggers and stuff on standby and maybe use the KB’s as well to help. The drifts are halfway up the back of the Base Station and i would imagine the Track is buried in a few places as well as the Tunnel Mouth. If we get up tomorrow i will be able to make a better asessment of how long it will take to get an operation going.Keep ane eye on the Web for updates
Cheers
Colin
January 13th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Colin - I’m not a mountain biker so I don’t know the implications of this but would it be practicable to re-instal a modern chairlift that could provide uplift giving summer access for mountain bikers, with a trail down the ciste gulley (it wouldn’t be very visible from below?) to the Ciste car park, and a MB trail down from there to Glenmore. The MB folk could even have a clubhouse/cafe by the old Ciste cafe site. This could generate steady summer income and the infrastructure could be used by skiers in winter but wouldn’t depend on income from them. Bikers uplift could comprise something like a modified version of the ‘flying urinals’ in Flaine.
January 13th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Hey Colin,
Any chance of the beastie boys stockpiling some of that snow in needy areas such as lower zig zags etc? Would help to replenish in times of drought - and make fabulous jumps too!
January 13th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Was wondering how you guys are getting on the digging out the access road? I am planning a trip up tomorrow (Thurs) as the wind seems to be easing but don’t want to leave edinburgh at 6 if the road is not going to be open til lunchtime!! - much prefer to stay in my bed a few hours longer. It would be appreciated if you could give me an estimate of when you expect to open tomorrow
Thanks and happy digging!!
Scott
January 13th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Andrew
Re Mountain Biking, that would have to be something discussed in the big picture/plans by HIE but i will put your points to them, i would think that they will be looking at every summer income stream possible.
Dave
I think the wind has done the job of stockpiling the snow for us, but we have not accessed the car parks yet.
Scott
To be perfectly honest i would give it a miss tomorrow, we are still battling a 4 metre snow depth on the roads and we have just got up the down road as far as where the link road meets the section up to the car park and i imagine once we get to the Car Park there will be a lot of digging to be done and Storm Damage assessment.The Avalanche guys who skinned up reckon the Funicular track is well buried in places.
The ploughs could not get past the Sugar Bowl this morning so we contracted in two 17 ton Caterpillar Tractor shovels and a JCB Shovel who are slowly working their way up the Hill in Blizzard like conditions, we pulled out at dark and will be back in at 4.00am to resume the clearing.
Keep an eye on the web for further updates.
Cheers
Colin
January 13th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
There were clearly significant problems on Saturday. My concern is the extreme difficulty that emergency vehicles had in getting up the road because one side was blocked by traffic for miles and there was also some traffic heading back to Aviemore.
If there had been a real emergency such as a fire there would potentially have been serious consequences. The snow on the verges clearly compounded the problem as traffic was unable to pull off the road. I wonder whether it would be worth discussing with the council whether short sections of the road every 100 meters or so should be marked off as “keep clear” to allow cars to pull in to and therefore allow emergency services to pass the queues without delay.
January 13th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Thanks Colin, sounds like you have an epic task on your hands getting that road open - by the look of the forecast you might be fighting a losing battle til monday!! - Keep up the good work and good luck to the digging team!!
January 13th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
hi colin , i have been skiing cairngorm for 30 odd years and have to say wed 30th dec was the best days skiing i.ve ever had powder sun and my family with the hill to ourselves if only for a few hours , well worth a cold night in the van with no heater. best of luck with this season and many more like it hopfully, keep up the good work . ps sad to se the demise of the whineing white lady tow,no noise to follow in a white out!! cheers , chris sangster.
January 13th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Stephen
Some very valid points indeed, can i suggest that you also contact Highland Council and the Police as well. The feeling i get is it is not just CML that are stretched at the moment but a lot of the other services, but if enough voices are raised we may get some more action.
Cheers
Colin
January 13th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Be careful using caterpillar tractors on a public road, if nothing else its highly illegal and the Council will be up in arms if you damage their road surface - I have personal experience of that delima to my cost - best try and get some rubber tyred vehicles that are licenced for the road.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
John
They are rubber tyred vehichles, check the photo on main page.
Cheers
Colin
January 13th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Seems time and again that when ever you get a big dump of snow or the wind gets up the road is closed. Understandable as nature will always win but perhaps highlights the achillies heel of the whole system (outdated uplift notwithstanding) Just how many skier days are being lost while you battle to get it open again.
If there is any long term strategy in place for improvements at CML would it not be sensible to plan for a gondola or super fast 6 man chair starting at the bottom (Glenmore) all the way to the top, with a mid station half way up. That would provide the option of additional uplift from mid mountain and help alleviate the current bottle neck. At least then we could get onto the hill at 8am the morning after the storm. It may also address another issue that is often talked about and that is summer punters who park in the car park and contibute nothing, The environmentalists will want their pound of flesh so say to them; if you allow the new lift we will close the road and return it back to nature. They manage to get supplies to mountain huts all over the Alps without a road so why not Cairngorm.
As for the funicular, well its a scar on the landscape in my opinion, does little to enhance skiing and should be dismantled asap.
January 14th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Ruaridh,
Have you read any of the previous blogs? Do you even know how much snow 4 metres depth is, and finally, this is Scotland, not the Alps.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Can’t agree with the comment above about removal of the funicular, but I’ve long thought the Glenmore Gondola concept was worth exploring in more detail than it ever was.
It would remove the issue of the % of people using the Cas Carpark without contributing to the operational cost. In winter it would actually benefit climbers who could get up the gondola earlier than the snow gates often open. Access to the ski area would be possible almost immediately after a storm and in summer being able to get out and walk about from the Daylodge at the top of a Gondola would remove a lot of the issues and tension over the closed system at the Ptarmigan.
It would also open up lift served recreational opportunities on the lower mountain and in Glenmore forest that probably wont get to happen above the Daylodge level. Gondola up - hike down (would be excellent for ranger walks), potential for mountain biking, a mid-station at the Sugarbowl would greatly increase usage by walkers and climbers (and reindeer sightseers). Plus in snow like this, think of the tree skiing!
The irony is that of groups that opposed the funicular, it is likely to be those most vehemently opposed to mechanised snowsports that would be most up in arms over road closure.
One thing that’s changed since the early days of the Funicular project in the early to mid 90s is the grip technology and design capability of detachable chairlifts and mono-cable gondolas. A Glenmore Gondola if a mono-cable lift would need to be exceptionally well sited, but with modern grip and design tech such a lift can curve both directions and follow the most sheltered, least visually obtrusive line.
It would be very interesting indeed to see a comparison between the cost of operating the hill road and revenue lost vs cost of operating a gondola and potential extra income.
Now, those euromillion numbers for Friday…..
January 14th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Hi i will post comments meantime but i might not answer specific questions till i have more time, till we get sorted out on the road. I have some amazing photos from the road - really unbelievable, using a computer at the Glenmore lodge at the mo so when i get time i will try and get them on the main page.
Cheers
Colin
January 14th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Couple of shots on main page
Col
January 14th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Not really a comment to publish - but thought you might get this if your at the lodge.
The images uploaded on the front page are huge, about 2-3mb each and their bringing the website to it’s knees, I can only load the blog just now. Really need smaller image sizes.
I’ve resized one here: http://www.winterhighland.info/forum/file.php?2,file=5962
Alan
January 14th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Hi Colin, great photos and what an amazing amount of snow - well done on all the effort everyone is making to get the road dug out, amazing!
One thing though, the photos posted on the main page are very big (filesize) and are slowing the page right down - the solution is to resize and optimize them for the web. If you don’t have anyone to do it or everyone is too busy I can do it for you, just e-mail me and I’ll grab them off the site, optimize them and e-mail them straight back. I presume you can see my e-mail given it’s required for posting here?
Best of luck with the digging - WOW!
Roger
January 14th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Hi Colin
You need your own snowblower if the council one is unavailable - there’s one (ex council) going cheap on ebay for £6000 at the moment.
Looking at your base station camera - looks like the M1 poma hut has been stolen whilst you were all snowed off the mountain
and from the winterhighland cameras there look to be some big drifts across the funicular track. Hate to think how much digging is going to be needed at the tunnel mouth.
Cheers
Dave
January 14th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Why is that no matter how obvious it is how hard people are working there are some that are never satisfied? If there are 15 ft drifts on the road I can’t imagine what it must be like on the mountain though I am only a non skier, just someone who loves to spend my holidays in Scotland and the Cairngorm area in particular so feel I do contribute to the area.
Well done to all of you working so hard. Wish I could see it myself but am under no illusion that even with my snow tyres on my car I could make it up there. Look forward to the pictures and the soup and hot chocolate next time we are there!
January 14th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Thanks guys , apologies for the pics, i was in a rush at Glenmore Lodge to get them on and forgot to resize them. Have taken them off now and will get some on later tonight.
4.30 pm.Well i am back at the day lodge now, the diggers have about a 100m to go to reach the car park, and that is only single track up the down road,the other two are still in the Link Road working from each end, we will start the blower tomorrow morning widening the roads
We will not open tomorrow, there is masses of snow everywhere that need to be dug out, the Train track is buried in about 10 places, some of the M1 Towers are just poking out of the snow, you can walk on to the Top Station roof, where you used to ski under the track below the tunnel on to the White Lady is a wall of snow and who knows where the Tunnel is. I dont think i have seen as much snow in all my years up here. The wind looks
like it wont do us any favours over the next couple of days but we will keep plodding away and see what happens. The top bowls have escaped most of the drifting it all seems to have settled in the Cas side. Will post an update tomorrow on our progress.
Cheers
Colin
January 14th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Well Mr SM in response to your rather pointed reply, Yes I do know what 4m drifts look like. In fact having worked in Canada, Norway and Switzerland 4m drifts pale into insignificance. I also know having worked during the late 70’s and early 80’s on the A9 when the poles were regularly buried by snow just how difficult it is to move even with two Schmit VF5 blowers.
Thanks also to Alan MacKay for a rational response to my blog. Yes technology has moved on and gondola/chairlifts can be engineered to turn some pretty acute angles nowadays, and a ground hugging route along the most sheltered ground would be a simple task. And yes a gondola would be a huge benefit to mountain bikers in the summer - just think two world cup rounds in Scotland !
January 14th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Colin, You are doing a fantastic Job. All I can say is that this season is one to remember and great to see the good old days back!!
January 14th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Thanks Alisdair
I,ve been skiing up here for 43 years and i,m sure i,ve never seen as much snow in places as there is now. The traverse seems to have gone and is replaced by the “Head Wall Bowl”, hope the wee mild spell forecast to come is just a blip and we hace glacier skiing in July:0)
Cheers
Colin
January 14th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Hey Colin, reminds me of the days they were trying to get a speed ski run above where the traverse is, and jumping over buses when we had to park in the sugar bowl as the road was blocked - yes even in the good old days with all the equipment and staff there were days when the road was closed. Fingers crossed the thaw does not wash the road away or flood the access roads. If it does be prepared to get a slagging for not being prepared and operating a ferry service.
See you end of month for a wee dram.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:16 am
All I can say is I look forward to getting up on the mountain when you do get it open! Photo’s are great and your doing a great job!
Why moan about to much snow, whay do these people really want from you guys, god like powers to part the snow like the Red Sea???
Keep it up and look forward to getting up the mountain.
Stephen
:o)
January 15th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
PR is working well even down in the West Midlands…!
News piece on my drive into work on the local radio - BBC Coventry and Warwickshire about there being “too much snow to ski” at Cairngorm…
Should hopefully recover some downtime losses when you reopen!
Question : How much of this is new snow and how much is a redistribution of the last two weeks? I imagine some areas much have been stripped bare?
Good luck with the shovelling…
January 15th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
For those of us that can’t get up to the mountain, any chance of someone finding the time to take a few pictures and fire them on Flickr?
Blowers working, tunnell mouth clearing, snow over funicular etc….
Thanks.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
There is footage on the main page of the website if you click on the Youtube link.
Some of the snow is new snow but most of it is windblown from all the loose stuff lying around, there are some scoured areas on the ridges but all the bowls and trails are full to overflowing (ie on to the funicular track).
There was more snow back in to the roads today than when we started yesterday and we have not got as far as yesterday yet. The snow has consolidated a bit now so hopefully the big blow tonight and tomorrow will not shift as much of it around. The snow in the roads now is not namby pamby Alpine fluff but classic Cairngorm Cement!!
Cheers
Colin
January 16th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Just had a look at some of the footage, it just looks like nature has reclaimed the whole of the mountain. My hat’s off to you guys, looks like it would take more like weeks to get it up and running again. I know the avalanche risk is still high, but does the effects of the storm lessen it at all, or does it make it worse?
I suppose we should be thankful this happened through the night!
January 16th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Yeah we have just reached the Car Park at 1.30pm and it seems the whole face of the mountain has changed yet again with the track buried in more places now and to a greater depth, The snow has buried part of the Ptarmigan T-Bar up to the boxes and the second tower of the M1 has just the pulley wheel showing. We will not open to the public tomorrow and will have an army of shovelers coming in to assist, not sure of the avi risk as some of the snowpack has consolidated - check the SAIS link.
Ah well no rest for the wicked off to see if we can find a tunnel mouth
Cheers
Colin
January 16th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
This is an amazing ongoing story Colin and thanks for taking time out to update all us couch potatoes on what’s happening - heaven knows you must have enough to do without spending time on the web.
Amazing to see the story of what’s happening spreading far and wide, apparently there was a report on BBC Radio 4 yesterday in addition to all the others that people have heard/seen/read!
Best of luck with rest of the digging and see you soon.
January 16th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
What you guys are doing up there is nothing short of heroic; it must be soul destroying to come to work each day and find you’ve got to start from the beginning again.
This afternoon the cloud lifted enough for us to see the upper half of the funicular from the house through binocs….well anyone who thinks you’re exaggerating - no guys, he isn’t, it is truly an awesome sight. Where did that tunnel go? The railway just disappears into the snow, and even the top station looks a bit buried. I hope someone has time to take a skidoo and get some photos; the ski patrol ….? And those drifts on the track are massive - can the train use that spoiler as a snowplough? Probably not, I imagine it’s just for ramblers, reindeer and small snow flurries.
January 16th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Just to let you know the team have been taking lots of pics over the past few days. I will be posting a selection on the Flickr site for CairnGorm Mountain early next week. There is a link on the home page for anyone else with photos they would like to share of this amazing weather event of the past 3 weeks. Cheers . Tania
January 16th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
That looks like a herculean task to get the place operating. Keep up the amazingly good work, but I think you need a magic wand, not a shovel.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Colin
Got back to Speyside a week ago and waiting patiently for the Hill to re-open. Having now caught up with my reading of recent postings - many excellent ideas and a few rather pitiful moans - I am hugely impressed at the extraordinary efforts being made by you & your team. I’ve been skiing in the Cairngorms for almost fifty years now (really, and still trying to achieve a decent style!) & have seldom seen weather conditions like those we now have. As you allude, it could mean a very long season. Some of my most memorable skiing has been in April & May in T-shirts & brilliant sunshine. Meantime…
I’d particularly like to support the excellent suggestions for reinstating Ciste & West Wall chairlifts. I have many fond memories of skiing with my family from the base of the Ciste & enjoying lunch or a hot chocolate at the cafe. Surely now there is so much additional winter traffic, the reduced pressure on the other side of the Hill would be substantial & the skiing/boarding experience that much better? I don’t know enough about mountain cycling to comment on the summer usage but it certainly seems to warrant further consideration.
Finally, the pics & videos you have been posting are essential viewing for anyone interested in Cairngorm. They should reassure and inform those who have difficulty in understanding the challenges you face on a daily basis that super-human efforts are being made to keep the resort open at all times. Thank goodness European regulations on 45 hour maximum working weeks (35 in France!) have not yet reached the Highlands :-)!
Keep up the good work & relax when the time comes.
Cheers.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:46 am
Thank you again folks, i will post a blog soon with our thoughts for any planned developments.
Ah well 5.30 back to the snowface i suppose.Colin
January 17th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
re-planned developments - I believe there is a non executive board of directors - It would be nice to see some leadership from them to tackle this, even if its to start some kind of forum to collect all the suggestions, look at the most popular and respond to them both in a practical and fincancially viable context and timescales. The hill is under new public ownership, so it is time to stop harping on about what shoud of been done. They are where they are, draw a line under it and move forward, any developments will take time, but there has to be good communications on the subject.
Personnaly I would like an offical forum started by the end of February with a checkpoint taken at end of March. Followed up by a first respone start of May with selection process August, followed up by a rolling 5 year development and investment plan. This will at least let us all see what is gooing to be done and the resoning behind it that can help set reasonable expectations.
Realisticly even with the best will in the world and financing behind you I dread to to think how long it will take get any significant development plans past environmentalist, probably more daunting than keeping the road open
Thats two bad references in 2 posts - enviromentalists and Euoropean work directive.
January 17th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Colin,
I agree with Ron, time spent putting on photos and video are well spent - Those with an interest in the mountain can keep up to speed, see the mountain in its glory and the critics may be silenced, not to mention some epic memories for future. As a machine operator, congrats to the ‘forgotton hill heroes’ who work the machines. Good luck this forthcoming week.