Is he head of Ski Patrol still.

Took 3 new boarders up to the Cairngorms last weekend (5th & 6th Feb 2010) as we didn’t want to miss out on all these great conditions ?. Bought the tickets online as we were expecting massive queques coming out of ticket office, to our huge surprise there was none. I got a ticket from the cash desk and the other three exchanged their print off’s for lift passes. Then we looked at the lift queques for the button and T bars, at least 20 – 30 minutes wait as the Train was not running as the snow had drifted over the tracks in a large section adjecent to the White Lady. It must have set like concrete as it had become milder in the last couple of days. The visibliltiy was poor down to approximately the start of the M1 Poma (Button lift Catapult) then the lower nursery slopes were clear and busy. The train started up about 2.15pm and then we made the most of the runs from top to bottom until the Train stopped at 4.30pm. Overall the new comers enjoyed the experience and now know what to expect if the train does not run, a massive thanks to all those people who dug out the tracks on Saturday, just hope you got some reward.

Sunday, the visibility was much better and rose to half way up the White Lady Run, to my surprise there was no queques for tickets or lifts, so a full day of top to bottom runs. One thing the newbies picked up on was the lack of signage for the runs as at one point two of them ended up going down the East Wall of the Lady which was very icy and dangerous.

I wonder why Cairngorm doesn’t invest in new/more signage and more marker poles on the trails, as I think most new comers are nearly always going to compare this to the other European resorts. Nothing has changed for years in this department, it can’t be that expensive to move with the times on a rolling replacement program.

The T bar exit method is a very dangerous affair too, if you are standing close by. More signs are needed on the way up the lift explaining how to get off safely with out damaging the users and the lift tows.

Overall we all enjoyed it and would make the trip again soon, one regret that I never boarded back to the Ciste Car Park by the Gully as it was ridable all the way down. You don’t offend get the chance to do this. I will not go on about the disused chair lifts that sit there like great metal grave stones, its just a great shame more investment can not be made for this ski area.

Now the shuttle buses run every 15 minutes from the lower car park, I can’t see them doing much more as the buses will never be effected by the wind, and cost far less.

This is the most snow depth I have seen for many years and hopefully it will produce a long and properous 2009/2010 season.

Cheers