All this talk about the season being over is depressing and with summer having already arrived down here in the deep south its not helping.

That aside it'll soon be Easter and Easter for me = skiing so whats the best thats likely to be on offer? While a northerly is supposed to be on the way I'm thinking its a safe bet that effort will be required to get some turns.

1) Ben Nevis
2) CMJ
3) Aonach Mor
4) Aonach Beag (An Cul Choire)
5) Glencoe

Does anyone have any knowledge of current conditions on 1-4? Maximum descent in metres? Has anyone been skiing the Ben yet and what about the backs and CMJ?

Am I right to discount the gorms?

Minimum effort up for Maximum sliding down! - Information please.

Tupp - good pic by the way; looks quite mellow. Whereabouts?

Thanks

Freeheel

Fingers crossed for this northerly.

Got a mate that lives in Calgary posting on facebook about Sunshine Village breaking its best ever season total with 606cm so far this season. He was there for yet another thigh deep powder session on Friday.

Whereas we would be happy with just some snow....

I suspect Tupp's photos are on a largish patch that lies along the Macdui footpath just after you've come out of Coire Domhain. Last Sunday on my way back from Macdui I came across the tamest pair of ptarmigan I've even encountered there.If it's the same cock he's darkened a fair bit in the week. Great photo.. and I agree worth the walk

Keep an eye on the backcountry reports Freeheel. High Rustler and friends were on the Ben yesterday planning tower gully, but due to icy conditions did gully number3 instead and said it was brilliant.

Helen

Thats exactly where I was Hilly. My girlfriend took the Ptarmigan pic and she got up to about 2 meters from him! The only thing that spooked him was our collie.

Helen,

Thanks; great reports and photos in the Backcountry section - gorms clearly a possibility though not much left on CM which is a shame though looked a good day out nonetheless

Watching, waiting and hoping but I'm sure the present summer won't last and the committed among us will get there rewards on the white stuff.

I have to say Freeheel, fun though it was, the patches up there were pretty sparse. The biggest one was the one that I was on. The pics of the Coe cup look like more fun. It all depends how far you want to push it. There are patches on some north facing corries that look like pure adrenalin, but would be way, way beyond my skiing. From the tops yesterday, looking all around, there wasn't much snow out there. I'm sure there are folk who know where there's a gully or two yet?

Thanks tupp and just the sort of useful info I'm looking for.

The Back Corries guy has put up some great Nevis Range pics today on FB and I'm kind of thinking west might be best.

Cheers

Freeheel

Out sea kayaking today, near Portsoy - still, very sunny - never sea kayaked this early in year before, fantastic paddling conditions and exploring the coastline and had a beer outside the pub in portsoy -in t-shirt.
very different from the spring skiing i normally do in march.

Back corries were great last weekend. Mixture of Spring snow and some fresh. Bit of a hoof out, but well, well worth it.

Yes mad weather. I was back up to the patch below the Cairngorm tor today which is still skiing like it was when Alan and I were up and he made the video that's been on the home page.
On my second run I counted- 40 turns! It was the warmest I've been on Cairngorm since late August 2010 ! Would love you to be right Freeheel.. and we do get some fresh, but I'm sure you'll find something to enjoy even if it is limited

Helen

what a day on saturday brother and I had up the back corries epic !
long slog in and out but real end of season feeling fun playing on the sizeable snow ribbons on the way up and then the prize dropping in the backs
its been an iffy season but Saturday was one of the mightiest days to finish this year off (unless it snows again)
happy chappy puts away his board for its summer hols
photos to follow when i have the energy

Back Corries. Happy Days!

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More Back Corries.

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Wow, these pics are mouthwatering - cant wait to have a play.......might even be some powder on top come Easter just got to be optimistic!

does anyone know what the story is with taking boards etc up the gondola and the access chair at glencoe? i've always assumed there would be no problem with it but never actually done it.