Week commencing Friday 5th March 2010 at CairnGorm Mountain
JOIN US IN SETTING A WORLD RECORD FOR SKIING IN KILTS ON SATURDAY (see Events)
Work on the Car Park tow and the splicing of the rope on the Day Lodge Poma are both now complete and both tows are running again. We have finished digging out the Funicular track but tests and checksneed to be undertaken before the train can operate again. Weather-permitting we expect to have all surface uplift running this weekend except the Ptarmigan tow and Polar Express which have still to be dug out.
After blasting various areas to test for avalanche risk we are confident that the main ski area is pretty safe; however off-piste outside the main area there is still a risk and we advise people not to ski alone and to check SAIS site prior to going into these areas. The Link Road is still blocked so there is two way traffic on the down road.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Friday 5th March: Wind NW 30-35mph gusting 40-55mph. Isolated snow showers. Cloud from 800m rising to 1000m in afternoon. Patchy sunshine and generally good visibility. Temp at 900m -2C.
Saturday 6th March: Wind NW 15-20mph. Little precipitation but persistent cloud above 800-1000m with breaks to 1200m.Pockets of sunshine. Very good visibility. Temp at 900m 0C.
Sunday 7th March: Wind SW 15-20mph. Dry. Variable patchy cloud mostly above 1000m and breaking. Possibility of bright sunshine and excellent visibility later.
Outlook: High pressure giving hard frosts at night and fine days with snow cover maintained.
TICKETS To get out onto the slopes quicker the Ranger Base issues tickets for internet bookings and all vouchers, but no cash or card transactions here. A cash booth operates at weekends only. This is located to the left of the Cas bar entrance selling day tickets until lunchtime. (No hire and no 2-day tickets.) Please tie ski passes onto a visible part of your clothing and expect to have your snowsports tickets checked closely at all uplift.
Ski School lessons are filling up fast so booking is recommended on 08455 191191. OPENING TIMES, PARKING & SHUTTLE BUSES Ticket Office, Hire and the Cas Bar will be open at 8:00am at the weekend and 8.30am on weekdays. Once it is running again the first train up will be at 9.00am, last train up at 3.45pm and last down at 4.30pm. Other uplift will be open for 8.30am weekend and 9.00am weekdays(often sooner). Please get here early to ensure you can get into our car parks which will fill up quickly at the weekend. Ciste Car Park is now clear and we will have a shuttle bus running from the Ciste Car Park at the weekend and usually during the week. This will leave the Ciste car park at quarter past and quarter to the hour. Last morning bus 1.45pm, first afternoon bus 2.45pm (for drivers’ compulsory lunch break). Last bus of the day from Ciste car park to Base station 5.15pm. Please note we do not allow cars to drop off customers at the Upper car parks when we are using the Ciste. Please use the shuttle bus.
EVENTS
Sat 6th March : "CairnGorm in Kilts” – join us in attempting to set a world record for the largest number of skiers wearing kilts and skiing down in one continuous line. Register on-line or on the day between 8.30 and 10.00am in the Aonach Room. Entry fee of £5 (going to Maggies Highlands and BSSSA) provides you with a ski ticket for the morning only. You can ski till 12.30pm and can then choose to purchase an afternoon ticket if you wish to ski/snowboard on into the afternoon or buy your afternoon ticket (£20) for cash only when you register in the morning.
Wednesday 17th March:Highland Schools team race for the Sir Frances Walker Trophy incorporating the Cairngorm Junior Championships. The race will consist of a Giant Slalom course on an easy gradient of slope.Open to skiers & boarders P6 or above (max age 18yrs) in full time education in a school within the Highlands.
Sat 20th March: Sports Relief 2 Miles on CairnGorm Mountain. Ski top to bottom and raise some funds for sports relief. More details to follow.
Sledging: The Sledge Park has not been dug out yet but is usually open from 10am until 3:20pm daily. Check at the ticket office that the park is open before buying your train ticket there then get your sledge ticket from the Shop at the Top. Only our mountain sledges can be used. It is not permitted to take your own sledges onto the Funicular and sledge park. CONDITION UPDATES
Watch the web site for updates www.cairngormmountain.org. Tune into Speysound (107.1) at the weekend for updates or MFR 96.6 FM during the week. You can also follow us on Twitter at cairngormmtn. Our telephone message is also updated first thing in the morning and last thing at night with the weather outlook. The number to call is 01479 861261
