Glencoe, March 31st, 2008

Something strange about having a whole piste to yourself on a sunny March day. That's what I've got now though. Just went down an empty Spring Run & Main Basin! A perfect day apart from being on my own. It is a Monday though and I did leave short notice at 10. Just lucky to scam a car.

Glencoe, March 30, 2008

A grey start with rain in the car park. The snow was falling on the plateau but gradually dispersed and revealed great snow conditions all over the mountain. Irv and Ange arrived a bit late as they forgot the clocks went forward. Unfortunately they seemed to bring the wind with them. Visibility started to deteriorate, so we went to the cafe for a coffee. The sun immediately appeared and we finished our drinks only for the bad weather to be awaiting us on the hill once again.
No matter, at least the snow was coming down, topping up what Coe already has. Ange and Irve left and Deirdre and myself made the Spring Run our last of the day.

Although there was a bit of wind and wet snow, snow conditions themselves were excellent. Wet powder! If you can have such a thing - it is Scotland, so anything is possible. Needles to say, the sun poked out fro the clouds as soon as we descended to the car park!

Ruanaich | Snow Diary

Glencoe, March 23, 2008

Easter Sunday, and I was not sure about the weather. I decided to leave Glasgow in the morning, nick mum's car and head up to Coe for the afternoon and meet Fiona. Webcams showed sun shining down on the mountain, but it was the wind that worried me.
On arrival it was snowing. Good for coverage, not so good for visibility. However clear patches came and went and the snow conditions were great. Glencoe really is getting a solid covering.
From previous thaws there were a few wee icy bits poking through, but nothing worth worrying about. The snow kept coming in waves and this means Glencoe must be doing the best out of any Scottish resorts.
Go to my YouTube page to see a day in my life in Glencoe Half Day.

Glencoe, March 16, 2008

The same windpack powder was a bit choppy and harder this morning, however this started to soften enough to make for a great day. Sunny spells as the not so cold northerly wind whipped the clouds away. Generally good visibility. It looks like there will be plenty of the snowpack to last till the end of the season, maybe into May once again.
The rainbow rail has been dug out along with a few others. The snow has certainly buried many of the main features of the hill.
The spring run once again proved excellent, bowing out convexly with the weight of snow its holding.
Deirdre and myself headed up for today and what a beautiful day it was. Not as cold as predicted and the strong sun at times meant the old pit vents had to been undone at lower level. A few wee jumps were had on rollers and the bum hole at the bottom of the canyon. And full length runs from the top down spring run, main basin to canyon were all great fun on the abundant snow.

Glencoe, March 14, 2008

Windpacked powder slightly wet making first few turns under the cliffy a bit sticky. Once used to it though conditions were excelent. Sunny spells amongst light showers. The hight of some of the drifts was incredible. Haggis trap and most of the canyon was completley filled. The canyon was almost like a new run. Spent most of my time under the cliffy to stay out of the wind and take advantage of the rare terrain change.
Main basin was totally loaded with snow. Rainbow rail was buried and snowcovered all the rocky islands that are usually near the bottom of this area. For a Friday the car park was pretty full. Nice to see people taking advantage of the great late season conditions.

Tignes, France. March 2008

6 Days in Tignes France, started with sunshine and plenty of soft snow. Conditions got a bit colder with a wee bit of snow added midweek. Did pretty much the whole Tignes basin and over to Val D'Isere.

The Chalet Anapurna was a great base with ski in and out conditions. The food provided was excellent and the group of 20 was well catered for.

Check the picasa album for images.