Friday did not get a repeat of the bluebird Thursday, with some light snow showers coming through and fairly flat light. Top to Daylodge riding is possible via various routes, with the M2 / Daylodge Run providing a lengthy blue from the Top Station to the Base Station.

With the shuttle bus operating some laps to the Ciste Carpark were done, but variable snow conditions and coverage lower down.

With a sustained Northerly airflow through January so far, there is a lot of snow on the plateau areas and immediate southern downslopes around CairnGorm. South Easterly Gales will ramp up Saturday evening, becoming Storm Force overnight and Hurricane Force on the Plateau into Sunday morning. This will redistribute a substantial amount of snow onto the Northern side of CairnGorm, ie where the snowsports area is, driving snow down the gullies and natural snowfields that form the classic natural ski runs.

The likes of the Ciste Gully and Cas Gunbarrel should be transformed over the second part of the weekend. The unknown is just how long precipitation will fall as snow in a meteorologically very messy situation on Sunday!

Given the forecast the Funicular will not operate on Sunday and nor will any mid or upper mountain tows. Check AM updates before travelling and/or have a plan B to do something else!

The SE Gales will also drive snow down the Windy Ridge to where the first terrain trap is the Ski Road, so particularly if the new snowfall reaches overnight as the wind ramps up, it is doubtful the road will be open on Sunday morning. If the road does open in the morning, that is may not be a good thing, as it will suggest that rain or rising temperatures have dampened down the drifting!