A covering of fresh snow overnight with light snow during the morning on CairnGorm, but the clouds parted to give good sunny spells a few further snow showers during the afternoon.

The Ptarmigan Tow opened for the afternoon giving fresh tracks on the Ptarmigan Ridge which had smooth silky new snow, it also provided easier access to Coronation Wall which was riding beautifully in the afternoon Sun. Don't venture skiers left of the black markers as there is a concern about avalanche risk after drifting earlier in the week.

Talking of drifting, there looks like there will be lots of that on Thursday as the low pressure system is now projected to be somewhat further North and is now expected to give hours of heavy snow and blizzard conditions for the Cairngorms. The snow level is expected to be below mid-station, possibly below the lower slopes for a time.

The Top Basin is in great shape, full cover across the Ptarmigan Bowl and the Ptarmigan Ridge and uppermost reaches of the East Wall giving extensive moderate off-piste of the top T-bars.

The Ptarmigan Terrain Park on the Ciste Fairway has a technical line with narrow rails and a more mellow line with boxes, including a wide dancefloor. There's 1 fairly large kicker and a new 10m wide rail. Along the Ptarmigan Traverse there was a mini rider cross course and the Nessie Rollers are back on the Fiacaill Traverse. But all these may need some work after Thursday's storm.

Mid mountain there is extensive cover till about 2800ft, below that the snow does thin out and narrow down quickly and some walking is required to regain the M1 Poma. Chicken Gully is the best route for getting closest from the Cas side of the Funicular.

Depending on whether wind and visibility allow play on Thursday, it could be one of those epic storming powder days - but check the latest in the morning. Friday afternoon or Saturday promise lighter winds and some bright sunshine to get out and play in.