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Glencoe, Sunday 26 May 2013

The week after my previous visit to Glencoe they decided to close all uplift due to warmer and wetter conditions. It had been a fantastic snow filled season, not just in quantity but the quality of snow was outstanding.

However I had reached 16 days on Scottish snow. This equaled my previous record. I was left wanting more!

There had been some chatter about hiking up the mountain at Coe. They were positively encouraging it on their Facebook page. 

The weekend came Saturday was blue sky, but everyone was busy and I decided to take a bike ride instead. I rode down to parents house and decided to take their car and head up to Coe on Sunday morning. 

The day dawned slightly grey. There was a glimmer on sun. But that came to nothing. I took the chairlift up and started my hike. It was an easy trudge up The Wall and then Happy Valley, then across the summit to the top of Main Basin. On the way up I messed about with filming on iPhone, ContourHD & EOS7D. Messed about in Main Basin, then took a full run down, through the Haggis Trap, which was full. The snow was completely smooth with no other tracks. At rescue hut level I walked past top of Cliffy chair then down lower Thrombosis till the snow ran out where it joined Mugs Alley. 

The day was grey with a few light showers. But light winds and reasonable temperatures. 

The whole trip was worth it just to beat my record & to get some turns in after my birthday!

Search for Snow from Michael MacDonald on Vimeo.

Glencoe, Saturday 27th April 2013

The upper slopes of Glencoe Mountain Resort have some of the best late season conditions we've seen in a long time and look set to offer skiing for the May holiday, depending on the weather of course.The snow is in great condition as it has remained dry, without the usual freeze/thaw action of a typical Scottish Winter. The Main Basin was fluffy with wind packed powder. Flypaper was steep and a wee bit scary (Scotland's steepest marked run) and Happy Valley, skier's left was in fine form. It's astounding that ski areas are finished for the season in the USA and Europe, but Scotland persists!You may be out of luck if you can't ride the drag lifts as the lower slopes have gone, but jump on the top T-bar at Glencoe and you'll have a veritable snowy feast.

Glencoe, Saturday 20th April 2013

Was unsure whether the weather would work out. Gales were forecast at high level and Coe were not updating their Facebook page. Kept checking and it wasn't looking good. I phoned and asked about the wind. "There is no wind" they said. I was in the car before you could say Spring Snow.
The car park was rammed full. Still didn't stop me parking at the ticket office. This was down to a triathlon not skiers though.
The wind came to nothing and the clouds skimmed over with plenty of sunny spells.
The tops had beautiful smooth spring snow and the bottom of mugs alley is getting slushy but fun. Rannoch Glades was fantastic and the canyon was fun. A few queues at times at the rescue hut so messed about lower down between runs up top.
Been a great season which hopefully will keep going. It's getting expensive though. I should have gambled on a season pass methinks.

Glencoe, Saturday 13th April 2013

Day started with a bit of dubiety with regards to the weather. Wind an temperatures were set to rise through the day. Visibility in the morning was non existent but the whole mountain unveiled itself around 2:00. This meant we could go everywhere and anywhere, and the snow was some of the best non-powder I've ever ridden. Because its been so dry this season, even the chop is fluffy.
We did all the usual runs along with Rannoch Glades, Thrombosis and the Canyon.
The wind stayed down so we got to the end of the skiing day.
An amazing day today with some of the best snow ever.

Glencoe, Sunday 7th April 2013

A cloudier day with occasional snow flurries. Not too cold, hovering around freezing at 2500 feet I reckon. Snow is still in good shape. Got lost in the cloud at one point, overshooting the exit of Happy Valley.

Glencoe, Saturday 6th April 2013

Gutted that I've been in the office all week. However Saturday looked good. Indeed once the car park it was looking like a bluebird day.
Continued cold temperatures have kept the snow in superb shape.
Scattered cloud came over every now and then getting heavier in the afternoon.
Trying out my new boots for the first time. They were very stiff compared to my old ones but feel like they will make a positive difference.
Temperatures raised a bit in the sun but will be back below zero overnight.
Spring run was moguled a bit but nice snow under the Cliffy chair. Main basin fun and lots of little hits along Mugs Alley.

Glencoe, Sunday 31st March 2013

Sunday we decided on a half day afternoon at Coe. A bit cloudier than previous but snow still excellent. The Easter bunny was doing the rounds hiding chocolate and there was a happy atmosphere with all the kids Easter events. However, there was an underlying melancholy. At 12 just as we went up the hill the body was recovered of yesterday's avalanche victim.
Thoughts go to family and all involved, including Glencoe Mountain Resort team.

Glencoe, Saturday 30th March 2013

Snow still in stunning shape. Still feeling cold but more sun. A full day on nearly every run including a few through the park.
Spring Run and the Canyon were a bit scoured but fun. Happy Valley was perfect and the lower mountain was so widely covered, you could go anywhere.
At lunch we sat outside the cafe in the sun and watched the rescue helicopter pick up ski patrol and others. We suspected it was an exercise or training, however we were to hear later that an experienced skier had been caught in an avalanche over the back of the hill. The search continued until it was called off at dusk.
A sad end to a beautiful day.

Glencoe, Thursday 28th March 2013

First snowboard day at home since holiday. Snow had puked down while we were away and all runs at Coe really well filled in. The canyon was full to brimming. The light wind was very cold feeling about -7.
Snow is grippy and still fresh thanks to cold temperature.
Overhead was cloudy with occasional sunny spells. Was up on my own.

Le Praz, France, 16th - 22nd March 2013

What can i say? Perfect mix of weather and great snow for the whole week.
After a stunning arrival at Chambery we took a helicopter right into the Tarantaise valley. 20 minutes and we were at Courchevel Altiport and a short transfer down to our chalet in Le Praz.
The week started with good snowfall and Monday morning broke and much powder was had. Many tiring runs through the trees were had and the slopes were almost empty.
We also went an a little off piste course with a guide. Got a few good tips too!
The weather brightened up for the rest of the week. Still some soft at the sides could be had though.
We finished the week with a thrilling parapente flight from the top of Saulire down to Meribel.
A really memorable trip indeed.

Glencoe Saturday, 23rd February

Started misty, firm and fast. The cold temperatures kept the snow hard through the day. Even when the cloud dispersed. Had the whole work crew up, a few wee jumps and a few bumps.
It was a beautiful day and visibility meant I could see the rescue helicopter winching folk off the corniced ridge of Creise. I think it was a training exercise as I was told they were at it again the following day.

Glencoe Friday 15th February 2013

Started of with a hint of rain falling, but the sun was trying to burn through. A light wind was moving the cloud on and by the time we were up the hill the sun was shining. The wind was warm and moist coming from the west and the snow was soft and springlike. I did a couple of runs with Yvonne down the plateau run practicing my backward riding before heading up the Cliffhanger and getting first tracks below the lift. This was may favourite run of the season so far, making me smile with buttery smooth snow.
We both headed up top and did a few runs down Happy Valley and Main Basin. As soon as the sun disappeared behind the mountain, the snow firmed up substantially.
A great day, looks like it will be a sunny week. Hope the snow holds out. Should be freezing each night.
Think this is my seventh day this season. Lots more to come I hope.

Cliffy Run - Meall a' Bhùiridh from Michael MacDonald on Vimeo.

Glencoe Friday 8th February 2013

Conditions have been improving across the hill. Although some wind facing slopes had been scoured and Spring Run was iced up as was Etive Glades. Fly paper was closed so didn't venture anywhere near these runs. Plenty of laps on Main Basin, the Wall and Mugs Alley the latter of which has really filled in. The snow is wind and skier packed.
The Plateau Poma is running high as the snow is almost to the top of the fences! Comfortable temperatures too, just cold enough to keep the snow stabilised.
If they keep getting new snow then things are looking good for later in the season.
Just wish more people would get up there though. Maybe they'll be up for weekends but Friday was fairly quiet and visibility was fantastic with high level cloud and hardly a breath of wind.

Glencoe Saturday 2nd February 2013

Some stormy conditions through the week gave way to lighter winds and the promise of sunshine. Saturday arrived and all was good. A slippy drive up Lomond side and close encounter with a Red Deer hind couldn't stop us. The sun was out indeed and temps were cool. No wind to speak of, although we saw the remnants of a caravan that previously resided I'm the carpark scattered across the moor. A testament to the winds speed earlier in the week.
Because of the weather there were queues, the sun definitely brings out the fair weather skiers. Lots of faces I wouldn't have seen on earlier trips this season. It's all good though. Great to see Coe getting the attention it deserves.
The snow was grippy and stayed in good nick throughout the day. Main basin was great with Happy Vally providing motorway skiing. Mugs ally filled in a bit more but could always take some more snow.
The queues at the lifts were good natured and gave a chance for the legs to recover so spent the full day snowboarding without a break as such.
Because of the time of year the sum doesn't shine directly on Etive NW aspect of the mountain, but conditions watered bright and cold.
A sign of how good the day was, was the fact there was a queue for the lift back down at the end of the day. Just like the good old days. Should be more snow on the way this week. Lets hope it just gets better for the rest of the season.

Glencoe Thursday 24th January

After a thaw some snow eventually started falling. It's been all over UK, apart from West of Scotland. Really once again only the top was really worth riding. Main Basin had soft in the middle but ice and rocks were a constant threat. Skiers right of the top tow had some nice wind packed powder. But again rocks would bite you if you we're not careful.
Not too cold and winds were light. Probably why the clouds hung about. Was supposed to have 80% chance of sun but spent all day In cloud.
Still did lots of runs and finished with last lift.
Looking forward to more snow though.

Scotland Outdoors

That's me that is, in the title banner.. Looks like Glencoe dishing out my photo. I don't mind. 

Scotland Outdoors

Glencoe Sunday 6th January 2013

Warm wind and rain threatening to destroy all snowpack. Gad to get up. Started out nice on the drive up, however rain was incessant once in the hill. Main basin was all that was left and was icy and scoured. Made the most of it. But, all snow sports now suspended until further snowfall.

Glencoe Tuesday 1st January 2013

Happy New Year. Threatened to be windy yet again, but once on the hill quite sheltered. Turned out quite a nice day!
Bain basin soft and fluffy. Best up top. Quite a lot of snow loss. Needs topping up. Very warm and the wind and rain don't help.