Cairngorm to the plateau south of Cairn Lochan. The same tour as Mike has described today but thought I'd add some skiing photos just to show how great it was.
Despite skiing on piste being very limited just now there is plenty of scope for getting loads of turns in on the plateau.

Perfect !

Firm but grippy.

Mike Helen and latterly Jamie

h11lly at hotmail dot com

Walked / skinned up to Ptarmigan (you can still get skins on at the bottom of the 105) - then up Marquis Well. Then Helen and I set off towards Coire Lochan via Coire Raibert and Coire Domhain. Had lunch, then came back - and met an unusually dressed skier at the tor!

The sort of day you just feel privileged to be out in. Beautiful clear skies, incredible visibility, and hardly a breath of wind.

Inbounds snow conditions on the Ptarmigan are much grippier than a few days ago. On the plateau the snow is mostly very firm with some pretty slippery icy bits. Ski crampons helped on the steeper climbs.

Cover heading up towards Macdui didn't look all the great. I'm sure you could skin up without too much trouble but I don't think the initial ski back would be particularly good as there are still a lot of rocks about.

Mike, Helen (and latterly Jamie)

drmikew at gmail dot com