Here's someone in the news (again) who might like to splash some cash on Scottish skiing infrastructure ...

[www.mirror.co.uk]

As the CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland('s Skiing), maybe he could be distracted from Verbier for a moment and buy Scotland a chairlift.

Peanuts!

Seen in the reports that the West Wall was running but loading next to the Ciste T-bar (or something like that). How does that work?

You wait for a poma button to come past and grab it, basically like on the Beag or Dink Dink at Glenshee. (On Sunday the lift was sticking it between your legs).

All the hangers are put out when the lift is started up, once they are all released the rack is opened and the hangers simply slide straight through the rack and back onto the line.


^Lifty is more or less hiding behind the tower in that photo.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 20.49hrs Mon 6 Feb 12 by alan.

Not seen that done before on a detatchable lift. CML seem to really like thier mid loading schemes this season, dont know if its a modification they've made to their lifts or if its something that comes standard. But its a good move and good to see them using everything they can.

"everything they can...."

Other than the West Wall Chair, Ciste Chair, Aonach Poma, Fiacaill T-bar, White Lady T-bar......



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 21.26hrs Mon 6 Feb 12 by SCG.

Is the Ciste gully currently skiable to the West Wall boardwalk? Does anyone know?

cant run those as they aint there no more except the ciste chair

...which is my point. All either removed or being left to rot until they can removed with no fuss because they are beyond use.

Photo of the Ciste Gully on Sunday. Top half is filled in and could be ok for those with touring kit, bearing in mind the burn underneath! Lower half has the beginnings of a base, but though there is a good Southerly blow forecast for Wednesday don't think there is enough loose snow around high up to make enough of a difference.



The West Wall is complete to the lower tower of the chairlift, the Chair Run / Ryvon is complete to a similar level. If surface conditions are ok and things remain as they are going into the weekend and the start of half term, would quite like to see the WWP load at that level so 2/3rds of it can be used - will give something longer and steeper for more experienced riders and help spread people out, could also allow the poma to run a bit faster as more experienced people are using it. But lack of low level green terrain means the Ciste Tow will be overwhelmed.





Edited 1 times. Last edit at 21.53hrs Mon 6 Feb 12 by alan.

Attachments: gully.jpeg (138kB)  

Not wanting to cause the obvious. In my view, or in context to this season, all the above mentioned lifts are consigned to the history books for now. If that makes sense. In other words all available serviceable lifts are being used. Which is a good thing.

Thanks Alan, good photo. Look like you could almost make it down the West Wall itself by cutting left near the bottom to where the board walk meets the burn, but maybe not quite.

One of those snow guns would do the trick and theres plenty water! (Lots of flaws in that idea I know....)

Well a wee birdy suggested that if there is no change for the worse, an attempt at least will be made to open the M1 Poma and Fiacaill Ridge Poma going into half term.

If it can be done that would be a very definite case of maximising the available uplift.

Should add that the Aonach Poma was set up for loading at OverYonder, this is one more reason why removal of that lift was inexplicable.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 22.02hrs Mon 6 Feb 12 by alan.

With all the snowmaking etc, you do get the sense Cairngorm are making the most of whats there, which is great. The snowmaking thing is really the first significant positive change in infrastructure I can think of at CG for a while.

But lots of mid-term visitors will have to put up with some properly overwhelmed facilities. Might be better advised to visit either Glen-C or Glen-S this year, which are typically quieter at mid-term and have much more open terrain and uplift.

Possible, not much but some steeper additional terrain that could be lift served atm:





Edited 1 times. Last edit at 22.17hrs Mon 6 Feb 12 by alan.

Attachments: ww-options.jpg (125kB)  

Just need that covered 8-pack on the White Lady and a double drag on the Marquis Well.....problems solved.