Snow Conditions
At the time of writing, recent snowfall has resulted in excellent conditions for snow sports at CairnGorm Mountain for the half term holidays. Skiing is possible from top to bottom all 12 lifts are operating and all 39 runs are skiable. As always please visit our web site for the most up to date conditions and weather. Have fun and stay safe.
The February Half Term holiday is always a busy time and due to the large number of visitors it is likely there will be queues for services like the ticket office, ski hire and ski school. We hope these top tips will help customers plan their visit and get the most out of their stay. Please check electronic signs on the ski road for car park status updates. A public bus service runs from Aviemore Station on a regular basis we would encourage the public to use this service if car parks are full. Car sharing is also highly recommended so we can maximize car park space.
Opening Times: (from Thursday 11thth February for the half term holiday period until Sun 21st Feb). First public train up is 9.00 am. (Other uplift will open earlier subject to conditions). Competent skiers and snow boarders are encouraged to use the surface lift system (pomas and t bars) to reach higher runs and relieve congestion on the funicular.
Last train up 3.45 pm. Last train down 4.30 pm. (Last trains may run later depending on light and weather conditions)
The Ticket Office, Cas Bar and Equipment Hire will be open from 8.00am daily. On a busy day we can run out of hire equipment by mid morning so get here early. There are other hire outlets in the area so if you are not an early riser we strongly advise you to hire off-site. A list of Hire outlets nearby is detailed below:
Outdoor Discovery: 01479 811066 or 811776 (on the ski road at Inverdruie)
Glenmore Shop: 01479 861253 (on the ski road at Glenmore)
Aviemore Ski and Snowboard Hire : 01479 811711 (Aviemore)
Ellis Brigham : 01479 810175 (Aviemore)
Nevis Sport: 01479 810239 (Aviemore)
The Ski School is very busy over half term but there is availability. Please book by calling 01479 861319.
The Sledge Park will be open by 10.30am daily subject to conditions – please ask at the ticket office when you buy your train ticket. You should purchase a train ticket from the ticket office and sledge tickets can be purchased from the Shop at the Top located in the Ptarmigan Stop Station building. The presence of streams and rivers under the snow pack makes it dangerous to sledge other than in the designated area. Non skiing visitors are advised to plan their visit after 11am and before 3pm.
Buying Tickets.
Non-skiing visitors and sledging visitors will require a funicular ticket to ride the train.
Snowsports visitors require a skiing ticket – this includes unlimited use of all lifts and the train.
If you have cash and require ski tickets only – these can be purchased at the cash desk kiosk next to the entrance to the Cas Bar in the Day Lodge. (Full price tickets only at the cash desk – no discounts will apply).
If you have purchased online or have vouchers – these can be exchanged in the Ranger Office (right next to the bus stop)
All equipment hire and lift tickets should be paid for at the ticket office prior to collecting equipment from the collection point on production of your receipt and rental deposit – credit card or cash (£200) – no passports, car keys, mobile phones or pets please!
Purchase your tickets on line at http://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/buy-tickets-online/ or buy and collect your snow sports tickets on Friday night up until 10pm from Aviemore Ski and Board Hire next door to the Aviemore Laundry Service (underneath the Post Office) in the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre. (Call Carol or Brian on 01479 811711to let them know what you need then collect on Friday.) Please note that buying your ticket in advance is not a guarantee that you will get through the snow gates when we are busy you still need to get here early
Catering Outlets
Consider taking an early or a late lunch. Ski school classes do make the lunchtime period very busy.
The Ptarmigan Restaurant (Top Station). Snacks, hot drinks, bar and hot menu. Open from 9am.
The Cas Bar (Day Lodge). Bar, Hot drinks and light snacks. Open from 8am.
Conditions permitting the Shieling will be open for packed lunches as will the T Bar in the Day Lodge where hot drinks will also be available.
Have a great half term break.
Events at Half Term
“Olympic Flame Descents” at CairnGorm Mountain
To mark the February half term break and the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, Canada, CairnGorm Mountain invite the public to take part in and / or watch “Olympic Flame Descents” on Monday 15th and again on Wednesday 17th February 2010.
To take part in one of these descents you are required to be a competent skier or snowboarder of intermediate/ advanced standard (able to ski confidently from the top to the bottom of the mountain). Children wishing to take part should be aged 8- 16 years and need to be accompanied by a participating adult. Spaces are limited for both events. Participants will take the funicular railway to the top station from 4.30pm, where they will be given a hot drink and a beef roll. At dusk (which we expect to be around 5.30pm), 40cm light torches will be issued to every participant by ski patrol (flashing whistles are also available for a small charge). The CairnGorm ‘Olympic’ Flame will be carried by ski patrol who will lead and guide the descent.
You can book from Saturday 6th February (prices will be confirmed shortly) by going to the ticket office in the Base Station between 1pm and 4pm. (Please note that telephone bookings cannot be accepted for this event as we require participants to complete a disclaimer).
Please note that day tickets and season tickets are not valid for this event and no hire will be available.
Spectators are welcome to watch the Descent from car park level where the Cas Bar will remain open until 7.30pm serving, hot drinks, home baking and light snacks. Weather permitting we will also open a sledge area on the lower slopes (sledge hire £5 per half hour) and there will also be an opportunity to take part in Skidoo and Piste Machine rides (£5 donation – for race timing and display boards).
