INFORMATION FOR COURSES RUNNING THIS WEEK

All courses Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th December:

We are waiting to see how much snow falls this weekend and will update you on the evening of Sunday 22nd. At present there is not enough snow for the course to go ahead.

————

If the course goes ahead we will meet you at the lower Cas car park: https://goo.gl/maps/kMas53wiNHDLn97t7

If this car park is closed we will meet in the main upper Cas car park (the normal ski centre one next to the bottom of the funicular).

If you need to borrow touring skis and skins please come to Blair’s Nissan Leaf at 8:30am with one boot and introduce yourself. If you have your own skis then please meet us at the end of the lower car park next to the flying fox (short zip line) at 9am. If you need avalanche safety equipment your instructor will bring this to you.

If the ski road is shut at the snow gates then we will meet at the car park just before the snow gates and make a new plan.

We may choose to purchase ski touring passes to skip the first ascent. This gets us through the ski centre quickly and gives us more time and energy to enjoy more of the backcountry terrain. The cost would be £12 and we would invoice you after the course. This will be discussed at the start of the day.

We are monitoring the snow conditions and weather forecast. The most useful forecasts are shared below.

For all courses after the above date we will update you nearer the time.

We will normally meet at Blair’s grey Nissan Leaf. Please arrive at 8:30am to sort equipment. If you are borrowing skis please bring one boot to the car. If you are arriving by bus please let us know as the bus arrives at 8:45am (we will get the equipment ready for you, just walk down to the lower car park and find us). If you have your own skis then please meet us at the end of the lower car park next to the flying fox (short zip line) at 9am. If you need avalanche safety equipment your instructor will bring this to you.

Course Venues:

Cairngorm Mountain lower Cas car park for when resort is busy (as you come into the main car park, the lower Cas car park is on your right hand side, down the small hill). If contractors are still using it, or if it is icy then we will meet in the upper car park. During the winter season you can provide a donation (you’ll find donation boxes around the car park and you can also donate in The Mountain Shop).https://goo.gl/maps/kMas53wiNHDLn97t7

Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre (aka Upper Cas Car Park) is used when the lower car park is not clear of snow or if it is shut. During the winter season you can provide a donation (you’ll find donation boxes around the car park and you can also donate in The Mountain Shop). https://goo.gl/maps/KoMPA6u55CfuweVy5

Cairngorm Mountain Ciste Car Park. This is the car park further down the ski road, on the hairpin turn. It is also used as an overnight campervan area. This car park is useful when the resort is busy and also when the wind is coming from the SW or W. https://maps.app.goo.gl/y8WnXVR8dNh2zrmm6?g_st=ic

Drumochter Car Park next to Balsporran Cottage on the A9 https://goo.gl/maps/EiRss8PsNVgJZfSx8

Glenfeshie car park near Achlean https://goo.gl/maps/1sxPnT7CYnwc7CYP9

Or we might use Allt Ruadh Car Park in Glenfeshie: Google Maps Link

Braeriach Bike and Ski Start Point The start point is the layby on the road opposite the Coylumbridge Hotel entrance. Limited parking is available so it may be better to park further down the road and cycle up, or cycle from Aviemore. The layby is here: https://goo.gl/maps/Dp7Q1NHU7EAbpk7C7 Blair will be cycling from Aviemore and will meet you there.

Useful Forecast:

Cairn Gorm Base Station Met Office

Cairn Gorm Summit Met Office

Northern Cairngorms MWIS

Northern Cairngorms SAIS

Gael Charn 917 Met Office

Webcams:

Mountain Resort

Loch Morlich