Well about time to start a general Nevis Range snow thread for winter 2011/12, though let’s keep back corries related posts to the other thread. [www.winterhighland.info]

About 2-3 inches of fresh snow fell in the higher parts of Fort William overnight and from the rather gloomy webcam shots this morning it looks like the hill caught a fair bit too. I would think that they are aren’t too far off having enough to open something and it’s been dumping in Fort William for the last hour or so. However looking at the forecast it seems like a mild spell is due Thursday and then another warm up later in the weekend. So my guess is that we probably won’t be sliding this weekend (though it is possible). However the upper mountain should have a good base in place to build on for future falls.

Fingers crossed for a great season !!

After a morning of heavy snowfall a snowclad Nevis Range appears from the mist....





Edited 1 times. Last edit at 11.34hrs Mon 5 Dec 11 by Chris H.

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Now if only the lifts were running....







Edited 1 times. Last edit at 11.41hrs Mon 5 Dec 11 by Chris H.

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The Goose looks in cracking shape!! looks like the snow has blown nicely between the fences

I just looked at the webcams before this thread and was thinking the goose looked in great nick! Some nice turns to be had there for sure!

test

Heaviest snow of the day been falling in Fort William for the last 30 mins....

Pic from the bottom station this afternoon lifted off Facebook (thanks Kerry).







Edited 1 times. Last edit at 19.55hrs Mon 5 Dec 11 by Chris H.

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Just checking the webcams there myself and what a pleasant sight of pillow-esque blankety openness.

When are they opening?

I read somewhere that the 17th was planned, possibly earlier depending on snow conditions. The front of the hill excluding warrens is looking excellent. The goose is definitely looking worth some turns, look at the fences!

Their website says closed for maintenance opening 17th. If it were CML closed for maintenance just now and potentially nearly ready to open imagine the furore on here!

Ok guys, let me clear this up....

I have spoken to someone at Nevis and they would love to know exactly when they are going to open as much as we want to know. One thing I can be clear about – they do want to open this weekend but there a number of factors to take into account mostly weather related.

Looking at the forecasts (which we can all see) there is more snow, storm force winds and a brief warm up forecast over the next 48 hrs. Not until this weather plays itself out and there is a more accurate forecast for the weekend will they make the call. I would think we will know one way or the other by Thursday.

Reports from the hill are looking good and the runs are filling in well. Yesterday it would have been possible to ski to the base of the quad and back to the restaurant. Overnight judging from the surrounding hills there was a good westerly wind and a few more showers which will have only helped conditions further.

Looking at the forecast it looks like Saturday could be a decent day and we should get a fair bit more snow between now and then. That being the case my PERSONAL opinion is there is probably a 70% chance of them opening, and if they do open it could be an absolute cracker

Great stuff Chris. I have an art exhibition on Saturday so looks like i will have to miss this, that's if the they do open earlier than planned

good news but they should update their website then

To be fair their snow site (not the visitors one) says this on the front page. "We plan to open for skiing and snowboarding on Saturday 17 December 2011, providing there is sufficient snow. However IF there is sufficient snow for skiing and snowboarding before this date then we may be able to open the weekend before."

It does say they might open this weekend which is basically the message I have relayed with a bit of extra explanation.