Looks good ..I might try and get up.on.Sunday .either there or glencoe.

Freeheel... You have no idea how much I envy you!

Cheers guys and just a bit of luck for a change me being in the right place at the right time and the weather playing ball (of a sort).

Andy I'd say Nevis would prob be the best bet as the backs are still offering some fantastic sport and being that wee bit higher (and probably having had less sun) has made a difference to the quality of the snow. The only limitation is leg power in terms of how many runs are possible; makes me realise how much I love lifts!

If there was a will and it was economically viable they could open (Quod Chair for uplift) Goose loading from T4 and Summit Run. With little wind the snow is wide and even up top, reminding me of 2010, cosmetically at least.

Rick, Cairngorm I'd say would be the most likely to open in terms of logistics and I expect it will at the weekend.

Freeheel

Mighty work Freeheel. Right that's it. Nevis for me tomorrow. I'll be the guy skinning up ponderously with big yellow skis and alpine boots!

What time does the gondola open?

I think i'll have a go on sunday - a long drive from edinburgh though for a few turns!...looks worth it. Looks like the first gondola is at 10am.

anyone wanting a lift on saturday. thinking of heading up and could use the company ;-)

going from glasgow



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 14.08hrs Fri 13 Apr 12 by mtq1000.

Someone been up for a play today (see top left of pic):





Edited 1 times. Last edit at 16.01hrs Fri 13 Apr 12 by brianwr.

was on aonach mor for a walk this morning seen 4 skiers 2 on the plateau dropped into the coires and seen another 2 skinning up. good snow cover from 900m upwards and fresh powder waist deep in some drifts near the top of the runs.

I had a fantastic day on Aonach Mor. Skinned up Goose and over the summit in some murky weather but things brightened up as I arrived at the top of summit gully, which turned out to be a fantastic ski: atmospheric and continually interesting. Skinned up to the corrie headwall and then had to bootpack the final slopes with ice axe and crampons. Then did Spikes which was fun but a bit rocky so didn't flow as well as summit gully. Climbed out again and was delighted to then bump into one of the usual suspects on the summit (I am sure she is already filing her report!). Good ski down summit run and then the Goose which was really nice down to about tower 5. Pic attached is a view of summit gully taken as I was skinning back up.

Mike





Edited 2 times. Last edit at 20.13hrs Fri 13 Apr 12 by motatapu.

Attachments: IMG_0048.jpg (138kB)  

I've put up a report here [www.winterhighland.info]

That was quick! Either your choice of route back to Inverness was better than mine or maybe you didn't have to cook the dinner

Absolutely fantastic day at Nevis. Loads of photos to sort through but here's one which I think shows how good the Goose was Will put some more up later

Helen

Attachments: motatapu ripping up the Goose.JPG (104kB)  

Great effort guys, nice to the see the snow going to use even if the lifts aren't turning

With the forecast for more snow next week and crucially some wind maybe there will still be lift served action to come, fingers crossed.

Chris any idea if the swing arm on Tower 4 is demountable and could be moved to T5 say? Looks painfully close to being just about enough to do something with - ironic after the ridiculous storms earlier in the season, that it's the complete lack of wind has this week left the West just short of being in a posistion to re-open the tows!

I spoke to quite a few of the staff on my way up the Goose as they were working on an electrical fault that they thought might have been caused by a lightning strike earlier in the week.

They also said that the piste basher gets access by Sidewinder and the cover isn't deep enough there at present and the rocks would damage the machine.

However well worth the hike up for those like me wanting a gentle tour in stunning scenery ( although I don't think there's many of those around here ) or for those seeking adrenalin thrills wanting to access the back corries - plenty of those around

Some photos [www.winterhighland.info]

Helen



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 00.00hrs Sat 14 Apr 12 by h11lly.

Wow, fantastic pics and reports.

Looks like Friday was a better day too weatherwise and my turn now to feel envious that I'm unlikely to get another shot at it with the weather on Thursday cutting the day a bit short. It doesn't need saying that turn after perfect turn on the Goose as per your great pics was at the other end of the scale compared with me feebly fumbling around in Thursday afternoons mini whiteout.

I would think there will be quite a few up at the weekend - conditions up top are excellent and with the last gondola at 5.15pm, it provides a decent time slot for a good play