CairnGorm Mountain has been right in the firing line of this weeks Northerly, virtually all runs are filling in with up to several feet of sweet fresh powdery snow! The piste crews have been working to get more lifts ready, and piste out the drifts higher up to get more terrain open, and more lifts should open during Friday.

During Thursday the Ciste Tow opened up at the Top, and the Cas Tow switched to loading from the middle station. You can ski and ride virtually anywhere on the Cas side of the mountain, with superb off-piste on the East Lady, and above and below the Traverse, though further out on to Coronation Wall is not advisable, with a high category 4 avalanche risk. Superb sport for all abilities with good areas for beginners on the lower slopes with the Sheiling Tow providing great terrain for learning, and slightly less cold than up top. The Hayfield also has snow and provides a more sheltered beginner area.

Top to Daylodge riding with all Carpark Runs complete as well as the M2 and Daylodge Run for a longer blue back to the Base Station. Experts who know the area should be able to ski to the Ciste Carpark via the Aonach Ridge, but baseless powder in places beyond the fence lines, avalanche risk means the Coire Loagh Mor route shouldn't be attempted, as it requires a traverse of the East Wall.
Though the Terrain park is now buried there are many natural hits around the hill, with drifts forming both kickers and natural quarter pipes.

Get up there Friday, and if you can't get up there early at the weekend, across Scotland this will be the weekend of the 2006 season so far, don't miss it! Thanks to Hamish (Twin Tipper) for the photos from the Gorm.