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Friday, June 24th, 2011
There is loads going on this weekend in the Cairngorms National Park including the Aviemore, Blair Atholl, Deeside and Angus areas.(see below) A brilliant coup for the area is the Scottish Hydro Challenge being held this weekend at the Spey Valley Course at Aviemore with Scot, Chris Doak currently in the lead. A full list can be found at www.visitcairngorms.com/whatson but a selection of events are listed below.
Scopttish Hydro Challenge
Saturday 25th
• Charity Day in aid of Scotland’s Garden Scheme and Tay Valley Mountain Rescue – Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, 9.30am-5.30pm. www.blair-castle.co.uk
• Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team Sponsored Walk – Glen Feshie, £15/£10. www.cmrtwalk.org.uk
• Spey Art Group Painting Workshop – Inverallan Church Hall, 10am-4pm, £15. To Book T: 01479 872085/873101.
• Live Music with Alfie McQuade – Glen Hotel, Newtonmore, 9.30pm.
Sunday 26th
• Cairngorms Farmers Market – The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10am-4pm.
• Abernethy Open Gardens – Discover the treasures of private gardens in and around Nethy Bridge. Tickets & location map from local shops, £5. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 851347.
• Lairig Ghru Race – Braemar to Aviemore, 10am www.deesiderunners.com
• Hilton Around the World in a Day 5km Fun Run – Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, Aviemore, 2pm. In aid of Hilton in the Community Foundation www.hilton-foundation.org.uk
• Live Music with ‘Blind & Deaf’ – The Club Bar, Hilton Craigendarroch Hotel, Ballater, 3-5pm.
11th June – 24th July
• Rachel Everitt Exhibition – The Iona Gallery, Kingussie. Illustration, printmaking and animation. Mon, Thurs, Fri 1-5pm. Sat-Sun 11am-5pm, FREE.
23rd-26th June
• Scottish Hydro Challenge – Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course, Aviemore. www.teamscottishhydro.com
Saturday 25th June
The Eilan, Newtonmore – Newtonmore 1sts v Lovat. 2.30pm.
The Dell, Kingussie. Kingussie 2nds v Kilmallie. 2.30pm.
There are also some local open golf comps on this weekend see http://visitcairngorms.com/opengolf
Whatever you choose to do have a great weekend in the Cairngorms National Park…kick back and enjoy the scenery!
Posted in Accommodation Aviemore, aviemore, aviemore activities, aviemore hotels, ballater, Balmoral, Boat of Garten, braemar, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, Carr Bridge, Cromdale, Dulnain Bridge, Golf, grantown on spey, Kingussie, laggan, loch morlich, mountain biking, music, Nethy Bridge, Newtonmore, royal deeside, Shinty, Uncategorized, walking aviemore, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: accommodation, activities, attractions, aviemore, Cairngorm, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, holidays, scotland, whats on
Friday, January 7th, 2011
FANTASTIC SNOW CONDITIONS AT CAIRNGORM THIS WEEKEND
SNOWSPORTS
CairnGorm Mountain will be open for snowsports every day weather permitting. All uplift should be operating except for the West Wall Poma and all areas of the mountain should be open except for the West Wall and Gullies. It is however possible to ski down Coire Laogh Mor. The forecast for the next couple of days is for some more snow showers with a mixture of cloud and sunshine and some excellent visibility but it will be quite windy at times. Pisted runs are skiing really well with fresh pisted powder on a firm base.
TICKETS AND PRICES
Our day skiing ticket prices are £30.80 for adults, £22.50 for seniors and students and £18.50 for juniors. 4-day vouchers for £102.40 (juniors £61.60) are also on sale online or at the Ticket Office. They can be used on any day throughout the season until the end of April 2011 but only one voucher per day from each book can be used.
If you don’t have a season ticket and you do not need to hire equipment, the quickest ways to get onto the slopes are:
1. Buy tickets at Aviemore Ski & Board Hire in Aviemore (01479 811711)
2. Bring cash (we don’t have an ATM machine on site) and pay at the cash only desk which can be found on the left hand corner of the Day Lodge as you look up the hill. This desk handles adult, junior, senior, student, family (2+2) day tickets only. It does not handle ski hire, 2 day tickets, discounts, credit cards, afternoon tickets or vouchers.
3. Buy online and take your booking reference to the Ranger Base to exchange it for a day ticket or present your voucher book there and exchange a voucher from it for a day ticket.
Please be ready to show your ticket to the lift operator at all lifts. Snowboarders must use a safety leash at all times on CairnGorm Mountain.
SEASON TICKETS
If you have already purchased, but not yet uplifted a season ticket you may collect your pass from the Ticket Office but you may have to queue to collect it at busy times – be prepared.
HIRE
Ski Hire will be open every day from 8.30am at CairnGorm, so you can hire any kit you need but there are also several places in Aviemore where you can hire. We can sell out of hire by mid morning when we are very busy so please bear this in mind.
PARKING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Get here early if you want to be sure of getting into the Cas car parks.
The enhanced public bus service – see timetable attached will run 3 times hourly (with the first bus up at 0630 and the last bus down at 1810) between Aviemore and CairnGorm Mountain Car Park until 9 Jan inclusive. Normal fares apply to this service. Look out for no. 34 on the front of the buses. Thereafter the public buses will revert back to their usual timetables. We are always keen to encourage customers to use the public buses as they will drop them right at the entrance to the ticket office next to the Base Station. Shuttle buses which are free will be running between the Ciste and Cas car parks throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.
AVALANCHE RISK
Off-piste skiers please beware there is still a considerable avalanche risk.
OPENING TIMES The ticket office will open at 8.30am with the first train up at 9.00am, possibly later depending on weather conditions. Last train up 3.30pm. Last train down 4.00pm. Lower lifts will open from 8.30am and lifts will start closing from 3.30pm.
Cas Bar and Mountain Shop will open daily from 8.30am until 4.30pm
Ptarmigan open daily from 9.00am until 4.00pm.
INSTRUCTION
The Ski School still has availability for group and private lessons. To book a lesson please call 08455 191191. Please only leave one message on this line. The Ski School will get back to you as soon as they can. Please also try to give a few days‘notice if you are phoning to book a lesson as they are extremely busy, or call in person a day or two beforehand.
DISIBILITY SNOWSPORTS UK
DSUK help people with disabilities to take part in snowsports by providing lessons for anyone with a disability. Their Adaptive Snowsports School is now beginning 7 days a week at CairnGorm from January until April. Prior booking is essential. To book one on-one instruction call 01479 861272 or email skischool@disibilitysnowsport.org.uk.
SKI AMBASSADORS
Our volunteer ski ambassadors are running free guided tours of the hill daily at 11.30 and 2.00pm. Meet them on the top platform at these times if you want join one of these tours. They wear bright yellow jackets.
SLEDGE PARK
The Sledge Park will open whenever conditions permit. Please check at the ticket office if the sledge park is open before buying your funicular ticket to get there. Only CairnGorm Mountain sledges may be used and they can be hired in the Shop at the Top for £5 per half hour session.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Saturday 8th January: Wind N or NW 20mph although in morning possibly 30mph gusting 45mph. A few snow showers, cloud may be widespread above 900m but will become patchy with some sunshine. Poor visibility in snow but otherwise very clear air with superb visibility. Temp at 900m -3C to -5C. Freezing level mainly at sea level.
Sunday 9th January: Wind NW 35mph gusting 55mph and easing toward 25mph. One or two snow showers possible. Intermittent cloud at 1000m, intermittent sunshine and very clear air. Temp at 900m -5C. Freezing level at glen level.
Outlook: Cold with some snow showers for a few days, but becoming milder and windier with a thaw of lying snow.
Every day
Great shopping in the Mountain Shop and the Shop at the Top. Look out for clothing, skiing essentials, fabulous gifts and accessories. Open daily 10.00am to 4.30pm.
Exhibitions 10.00am – 4.30pm
The Big Freeze exhibition of photographs taken by staff from last winter is on display in the T Bar and on the stairs up to it and in various other locations. Many of the pictures are for sale.
Eating and drinking: Hot rolls are back being served in the mornings in both the Cas Bar and the Ptarmigan Restaurant to get you warmed up ready for skiing. Delicious home-baking can be found every day in our restaurant and cafe bar, and hot meals featuring locally-sourced ingredients in the mountain-top restaurant. ‘The Chocolate Mountain’, a huge concoction of hot chocolate, marshmallows and cream beckons in both locations. Or enjoy a mulled wine at the end of the day to help soothe the aching bones.
Posted in cairngorms, Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: aviemore, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, scotland, ski, Skiing, sledging, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weather, Winter
Friday, December 17th, 2010
SNOWSPORTS CairnGorm Mountain will be open for snowsports this weekend. The forecast is looking good (good overhead conditions but cold) and there is now good snow cover over the entire hill with skiing available from top to bottom. We expect to run all uplift other than the Polar Express.
TICKETS AND PRICES
Full price tickets apply; £30.80 for adults, £22.50 for seniors and students and £18.50 for juniors. 4-day vouchers for £102.40 (juniors £61.60) are also on sale online or at the Ticket Office. They can be used on any day throughout the season until the end of April 2011 but only one voucher per day from each book can be used.
If you don’t have a season ticket and you do not need to hire equipment, there are quicker ways onto the slopes:
1. Buy tickets at Aviemore Ski & Board Hire in Aviemore (01479 811711) 2. Bring cash (we don’t have an ATM machine on site) and pay at the cash only desk at the Disability Snowsports UK office which can be found on the right hand side of the Day Lodge as you look up the hill. This desk handles adult, junior, senior, student, family (2+2) day tickets only. It does not handle ski hire, 2 day tickets, discounts, credit cards, afternoon tickets or vouchers. 3. Buy online and take your booking reference to the Ranger Base to exchange it for a day ticket or voucher book.
Please be ready to show your ticket to the lift operator at all lifts
SEASON TICKETS
Please note that we have suspended the sale of season tickets until the end of December. We will review the situation then and consider whether we put any more tickets on sale. If you have already purchased, but not yet uplifted a season ticket you may collect your pass from the Ticket Office. However please be prepared to queue if you come to collect it at the weekend and over the holiday period.
HIRE
Ski Hire will be open every day from 8.30am at CairnGorm, so you can hire any kit you need but there are also several places in Aviemore where you can hire. We can sell out of hire by mid morning when we are very busy.
PARKING AND TRANSPORT
Get here early if you want to be sure of getting into the Cas car parks. 2 shuttle buses will be running between the Ciste and Cas car parks throughout the day at the weekend and then from Friday 24th December and throughout the holidays.
AVALANCHE RISK
Off-piste skiers please beware there is still a moderate to considerable avalanche risk.
OPENING TIMES The ticket office will open at 8.30am with the first train up at 9.00am, possibly later depending on weather conditions. Last train up 3.30pm. Last train down 4.00pm. Lower lifts will open from 8.30am and lifts will start closing from 3.30pm. These hours will apply from now and every day throughout the Christmas holidays, including Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. We are closed on Christmas day.
Cas Bar and Mountain Shop will open daily from 8.30am until 4.30pm
Ptarmigan open daily from 9.00am until 4.00pm.
INSTRUCTION
Ski School will be running group and private lessons every day from Saturday. They have also added an additional ‘Rudolf’s Revenge’ course on the 30th and 31st December. To book a lesson call 08455 191191.
SKI AMBASSADORS
Our volunteer ski ambassadors are running free guided tours of the hill daily at 11.30 and 2.00pm. Meet them on the top platform at these times if you want join one of these tours. They wear bright yellow jackets.
SLEDGE PARK
At the moment it is too icy to open the Sledge Park, however we hope to have it open for Christmas. Only CairnGorm Mountain sledges may be used and they can be hired in the Shop at the Top for £5 per half hour session.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Saturday 18th December: Wind E 20mph. Snow showers, mainly eastern Cairngorms. Extensively cloud free summits except in snow. Bright sunshine at times. Visibility ranging from superb to zero in snow. Temp at 900m -8C. Freezing level sea level, all terrain frozen.
Sunday 19th December: Wind E 10-20mph. Snow showers mainly east. Intermittently cloud free but cloud base 750, occasionally 500m if snowing. Bright sunshine at times, visibility often superb but very poor in snow. Temp at 900m -7C. Freezing level at sea level, all terrain frozen.
Outlook: Terrain across all mountain areas frozen until at least Boxing Day. Substantially dry with frequently light winds. Much milder air will approach western Britain, and probably penetrate into or across Britain just after Christmas, bringing a thaw.
Every day
Visit the Christmas shop in the Mountain Shop next to the Base Station for lots of decorations, cards and gift ideas. More stock arriving each day. Open daily 10.00am to 4.30pm. Great shopping in the Shop at the Top in the Ptarmigan as well. Look out for clothing, skiing essentials, fabulous gifts and accessories.
Exhibitions 10.00am – 4.30pm
The Big Freeze exhibition of photographs taken by staff from last winter is on display in the T Bar and on the stairs up to it and in various other locations. Many of the pictures are for sale.
Euan Baxter, local photographer and snowsports enthusiast is displaying his collection of winter photographs Vanishing Tracks in the Ptarmigan Restaurant (closes 4.00pm) until the end of December. Inspired by 30 winters spent in Strathspey, Euan is transfixed by the beauty of these months and the ever-changing conditions. Mounted and framed prints are on sale.
Eating and drinking: Hot rolls are back being served in the mornings in both the Cas Bar and the Ptarmigan Restaurant to get you warmed up ready for skiing. Delicious home-baking can be found every day in our restaurant and cafe bar, and hot meals featuring locally-sourced ingredients in the mountain-top restaurant. ‘The Chocolate Mountain’, a huge concoction of hot chocolate, marshmallows and cream beckons in both locations. Or enjoy a mulled wine at the end of the day to help soothe the aching bones.
Posted in Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: activities, aviemore, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, food, scotland, ski, Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weekend
Friday, December 10th, 2010
SNOWSPORTS
CairnGorm Mountain will be open for snowsports this weekend. There is now good snow cover over most of the hill and skiing is available from top to bottom although a few bare patches are appearing on the lower slopes. The uplift we expect to run this weekend is: Funicular, Ciste, Ptarmigan, M1, Cas, Sheiling, Car Park and if possible the West Wall Poma.
TICKETS AND PRICES
Full price tickets apply this weekend, £30.80 for adults, £22.50 for seniors and students and £18.50 for juniors. 4-day vouchers will also be on sale. There will be a cash only window available at the Disability Snowsports UK office which can be found on the right hand side of the Day Lodge as you look up the hill. This will be selling full price adult, senior, junior and student day tickets only. It will not be handling two day tickets, discounted tickets, vouchers or hire. Students need current ID. Please have your cash ready as we expect to be busy. 4-day vouchers and internet booking vouchers can be exchanged for day tickets in the Ranger Base.
SEASON TICKETS
Please note that we have suspended the sale of season tickets until the end of December. We will review the situation then and consider whether we put any more tickets on sale. If you have already purchased but not yet uplifted a season ticket you may do so from window 4 in the ticket office but if you are doing this on Saturday or Sunday be prepared to queue for some time to collect it.
HIRE
Ski Hire will be open from 8.30am at CairnGorm this weekend, so you can hire any kit you need.
PARKING AND TRANSPORT
Get here early if you want to be sure of getting into the Cas car parks. 2 shuttle buses will be running between the Ciste and Cas car parks throughout the day at the weekend. Off-piste skiers please beware there is still an avalanche risk on the Coronation and Head Walls.
OPENING TIMES
The ticket office will open at 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday. First train up will be 9.00am possibly earlier depending on weather conditions. Last train up 3.30pm. Last train down 4.00pm. Lower lifts will open from 8.30am and lifts will start closing from 3.30pm.
Cas Bar and Mountain Shop will open daily from 8.30am until 4.30pm
Ptarmigan open daily from 9.00am until 4.00pm.
4 Day Snowsports Vouchers
We are now selling snowsports vouchers. A book of 4 adult vouchers costs £102.40 (juniors £61.60) and can be used on any day throughout the season until the end of April 2011 but only one voucher per day from each book can be used. An ideal Christmas present or stocking filler!
INSTRUCTION
The Ski School have availability for beginners ski lessons only on Saturday. There is no lesson availability on Sunday. Private lessons only will be available Monday-Friday this week. From 18th December both private and group lessons will be available. To book a lesson call 08455 191191.
SKI AMBASSADORS
Our volunteer ski ambassadors have now taken up their duties which include running free guided tours of the hill daily at 11.30 and 2.00pm. Meet them on the top platform at these times if you want join one of these tours. They wear bright yellow jackets.
SLEDGE PARK
Weather-permitting we hope to open this on Sunday but please check with ticket office first if you are planning to go up on the funicular to sledge. Only CairnGorm Mountain sledges may be used and they can be hired in the Shop at the Top for £5 per half hour session.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Saturday 11th December: Wind NW 45mph gusting 60-70, easing to 35-55 later. Some cloud lifting and clearing to give good visibility and bright sunshine. Rain unlikely. Temp at 900m
1 to -2C. Freezing level mostly above summits.
Sunday 12th December: Wind N 10-20mph. Rain unlikely. Cloud from 1000 -1200m. Some sunshine breaking through. Temp at 900m -1C. Freezing level 750m.
Outlook: Light winds, some snow flurries, sunshine and fine dry weather until Wednesday before colder air brings severe frosts and substantial snowfalls.
Every day
Visit the Christmas shop in the Mountain Shop next to the Base Station for lots of decorations, cards and gift ideas. More stock arriving each day. Open daily 10.00am to 4.30pm. Great shopping in the Shop at the Top in the Ptarmigan as well. Look out for clothing, skiing essentials, fabulous gifts and accessories.
Exhibitions 10.00am – 4.30pm
The Big Freeze exhibition of photographs taken by staff from last winter is on display in the T Bar and on the stairs up to it and in various other locations. Many of the pictures are for sale.
Euan Baxter, local photographer and snowsports enthusiast is displaying his collection of winter photographs Vanishing Tracks in the Ptarmigan Restaurant (closes 4.00pm) until the end of December. Inspired by 30 winters spent in Strathspey, Euan is transfixed by the beauty of these months and the ever-changing conditions. Mounted and framed prints are on sale.
Eating and drinking
Hot rolls are back being served in the mornings in both the Cas Bar and the Ptarmigan Restaurant to get you warmed up ready for skiing. Delicious home-baking can be found every day in our restaurant and cafe bar, and hot meals featuring locally-sourced ingredients in the mountain-top restaurant. ‘The Chocolate Mountain’, a huge concoction of hot chocolate, marshmallows and cream beckons in both locations. Or enjoy a mulled wine at the end of the day to help soothe the aching bones.
Posted in art exhibition, aviemore, aviemore activities, cairngorms, food, Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, Uncategorized, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: activities, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, food, scotland, ski, Skiing, sledging, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weather, Weekend, whats on, Winter
Friday, December 3rd, 2010
Recent heavy snowfall has meant an early start to the Scottish ski season, and it looks like the three ski areas based in the Cairngorms National Park will, once again, be welcoming a host of visitors over the winter months – all with high expectations of another season full of good snow conditions. But what of the regions après ski?
Visit Cairngorms, the tourist body behind the UK’s largest National Park is aware that visitors have to banish all ideas of a ski holiday in the Alps from their minds so has launched an app-rès ski for the iPhone geared towards visitors wanting to know what’s on when they have finished a day on the slopes.
Chief Executive of Visit Cairngorms, Alan Rankin, said: “Cairngorm Mountain alone welcomed more than 2,500 skiers– the highest number for November for a decade and last year there was an incredible 373,782 ski days to be had. We know that skiing in Scotland is vastly different from skiing in the Alps, but the main villages and towns do have great après ski nights and events taking place throughout the winter months – you just have to know where to go and what’s on as we are rather more spread out than your traditional ski resorts. With this in mind we launched the world’s first National Park iPhone app , which gives tourists the most up-to-date information on what events, live music and special offers are taking place around the entire Park.”
In addition, the app informs visitors as to whether the ski areas are closed due to bad weather conditions and suggests other things to do and see on a visit to the region. Alternatively, if good conditions and weather are forecast visitors can make their way up to the Cairngorms National Park and book last minute accommodation as they travel via the special offers button.
Mr Rankin continues: “There are days when the ski roads are blocked or the conditions are too bad to ski – just as there is in resorts across the world – but we wanted to make it easier for tourists visiting the area so the iPhone app ensures they get the latest information as they are on the move. Equally, the special offers aspect allows folk to leave work and head straight to us – booking their accommodation on the way! As with every destination in the UK we are encouraging the increasing popularity of the staycation – we have the perfect setting and the activities and attractions up here, it’s simply our job to make holidaying in the Cairngorms National Park easier, more accessible and fun for our visitors. And as for après ski – the Scots are renowned the world over for putting on a good party atmosphere so in my mind there is no better place to be!”
The Cairngorms App gives the user the opportunity to search for restaurants, cafes activity providers and attractions closest to them wherever they are in the Cairngorms National Park. It will also tell the user how far away they are from any one business as well as giving them information on the company, Visit Scotland star ratings, contact information to make a booking and a link to the inbuilt Maps App giving them directions to where they are aiming to go. It is fed by a database of over 1200 listings and choices for the visitor and, like the website www.visitcairngorms.com, gets the customer to the business fast. It identifies the users location and then provide through Google Maps directions and a live map tracking their progress to the selected business. The app also provides directions by car, train or on foot to the chosen business.
The project is supported by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Northern Periphery Programme funded Clim- ATIC Project,
For further information on the I-phone App or the Cairngorms Business Partnership, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 01479 810695/0783 487 1707 or email charlotte@rocksolidpr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
- Alan Rankin is available for interview, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 01479 810695 or email charlotte@rocksolidpr.co.uk
- The Cairngorms Business Partnership was launched in April 2010 to give a stronger and more equal voice to the wide range of businesses in the National Park. It now has more than 300 member businesses.
Posted in aviemore, aviemore activities, cairngorms, food, music, Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: aviemore, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, iPhone, iPhone App, scotland, ski, Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weather, whats on, Winter
Friday, November 26th, 2010
CairnGorm Open for Snowsports Again This Weekend……
CairnGorm Mountain will be open for snow sports this weekend. There is now great snow cover on the hill and a pisted run is available from top to bottom. Many runs are now open, though not pisted. Beginners can now join in the fun too.
The M1 poma, the Ciste and the Ptarmigan T Bar, and the funicular are available for uplift. There will be no mid station stops on the train.
Last winter’s season ticket is still valid. It will be full price this Saturday and Sunday, £30.80 for adults, £22.50 for seniors and students and £18.50 for juniors. Ski Hire will be open from 9am at CairnGorm this weekend, so you can hire any kit you need. Full day prices apply for hire.
Come and have some early season fun…..but wrap up warm!
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Saturday 27th November: Wind N 15-25mph. Snow and hail showers with a threat of heavy and frequent showers giving whiteout conditions for perhaps 2-4 hours. Cloud free areas will be interspersed by areas of cloud, base typically at 800m but lowering to 400m in snow. Some sun with great visibility but in snow very poor visibility.
Sunday 28th November: Wind E 25-35mph gusting to 50-65mph. Snow and hail showers some becoming heavy and frequent giving whiteout conditions for 2-4 hours. Cloud base typically 800m but 400m in snow. Some bursts of sun with great visibility at times but in snow, very poor visibility. Temp at 900m -6C. Freezing level mostly sea level with more or less all terrain frozen.
Outlook: Winds will be easterly for most of the coming week. Low ground will eventually partially thaw, but upland areas will remain frozen. Snow showers, day in day out, will be focussed on eastern mountains, but often dry with sunshine on western mountains.
OPENING TIMES
November opening
This weekend we are aiming to have the first train up at 9am although this is dependent on overnight snow fall and whether we have to dig out the train. Last train up 3.30pm. Last train down 4.00pm
Cas Bar and Mountain Shop open daily from 10.00am until 4.30pm
Ptarmigan open daily from 10.20am until 4.00pm.
4 Day Snowsports Vouchers
We are now selling snowsports vouchers. A book of 4 vouchers costs £102.40 and can be used on non-consecutive days. An early Christmas present or stocking filler perhaps!
Season Passes – are now ready for collection from the Ticket Office
Every day
Visit the Christmas shop in the Mountain Shop next to the Base Station for lots of decorations, cards and gift ideas. More stock arriving each day. Open daily 10.00am to 4.30pm
Exhibitions 10.00am – 4.30pm
The Big Freeze exhibition of photographs taken by staff from last winter is on display in the T Bar and on the stairs up to it and in various other locations. Many of the pictures are for sale.
Euan Baxter, local photographer and snowsports enthusiast is displaying his collection of winter photographs Vanishing Tracks in the Ptarmigan Restaurant (closes 4.00pm) until the end of December. Inspired by 30 winters spent in Strathspey, Euan is transfixed by the beauty of these months and the ever-changing conditions. Mounted and framed prints are on sale.
Walk Up, Train Down
Visitors can enjoy a mountain walk up to the Ptarmigan top station, but expect full winter conditions. Paths are covered with drifting snow, and it will take much more energy than usual. You are welcome to come in to the Ptarmigan building to take a break from your walk or you can buy a train ticket to come down again. (Dogs may come down on the train for a small charge). Winter clothing, boots and gaiters essential. Check the weather forecast and up to date conditions at the Ranger Base before setting out.
Camera Obscura: This free attraction is located in the Mountain Garden near the Base Station and enables visitors to see 360-degree real-time views of the surrounding landscape.
Shopping: Look out for clothing, walking essentials, fabulous gifts and accessories in our shops.
Eating and drinking: Hot rolls are back being served in the mornings in both the Cas Bar and the Ptarmigan Restaurant to get you warmed up ready for skiing. Delicious home-baking can be found every day in our restaurant and cafe bar, and hot meals featuring locally-sourced ingredients in the mountain-top restaurant. ‘The Chocolate Mountain’, a huge concoction of hot chocolate, marshmallows and cream beckons in both locations.
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday 30th November – St Andrews Day Promotion
To celebrate St Andrews Day we will be offering a ‘2 for the price of 1’ ticket on the funicular. The cheaper ticket of the two will be the free ticket. Please note this offer does not extend to Snowsports tickets and is for full priced tickets only. A perfect opportunity to bring a friend, enjoy some snowy views, huge hot chocolates and festive shopping.
Posted in cairngorms, Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, Uncategorized, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: activities, aviemore, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, scotland, ski, Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weather, Weekend, whats on, Winter
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN
Press Release – 20 October 2010
Fresh falls of snow over the tops of the Cairngorms today enabled intrepid CairnGorm Mountain Ski Ambassador Helen Rennie to achieve a lifetime’s ambition on her 100th day of skiing at the resort since 29th November 2009. Having walked up near to the summit of CairnGorm (at1245m) Helen was able to enjoy some skiing for the 12th month in succession when she skied in the Marquis Wells area of the mountain descending to the top of the Ptarmigan Tow, a distance of about 0.5 km with a vertical drop of about 70 metres.
Commented Helen who lives in Inverness:
“In all the years I have been skiing at Cairn Gorm I have skied in all months of the year over the years but this is the first time I have ever skied very month in succession for 12 months continuously. I am thrilled to have achieved 12 in a row at last.”
Rennie had to walk up to the summit carrying her skis in order to achieve her ambition as there is insufficient snow yet on the mountain to warrant operating the skiing uplift there. The last day of skiing with mechanized uplift at the resort took place on 21st June 2010 bringing to a close a record season which saw over 145,000 skiers visit the resort. Expectations for the coming season are high with the resort reporting a 20% increase in advance purchases of season tickets over last year’s figure. The snow also brought out large numbers of half term holiday visitors who travelled up on the funicular to experience the snow on the viewing terrace at the top.
For more information contact:
Colin Kirkwood colin.kirkwood@cairngormmountain.org
t.01479 861326 m.0778 334 6229 or
Tania Alliod tania.alliod@cairngormmountain.org 01479 861304
Posted in Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: aviemore, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms national park, scotland, ski, Skiing, Snowsports, Weather, Winter
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
The world’s first National Park I-phone App has been launched today, Monday 18th October, in the Cairngorms National Park by one of the country’s leading tourism and business organisations.
The VisitCairngorms App is the first app in the world to give visitors to a National Park the opportunity to obtain free, up-to-date information on where to stay, what to do and where to eat and drink based on their location within the Park.
In addition, the app will also allow visitors to access information on events taking place in the UK’s largest National Park.
Alan Rankin, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms Business Partnership, the organisation that has developed and launched the Cairngorms App, said: “It is incredibly exciting to be the first National Park in the world to launch a free information app specifically designed for visitors to the area and we are delighted to be leading the way. There are other National Park apps out there, but many are simply games, maps or overview apps – we have done our research and there are none out there that work in the way our app is designed – to get the customer in touch with local businesses and which are completely free to the user.“
The Cairngorms App gives the user the opportunity to search for restaurants, cafes activity providers and attractions closest to them wherever they are in the Cairngorms National Park. It will also tell the user how far away they are from any one business as well as giving them information on the company, Visit Scotland star ratings, contact information to make a booking and a link to the inbuilt Maps App giving them directions to where they are aiming to go. The area has a very effective website www.visitcairngorms.com and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter but the launch of the new app represents a first real step towards being able to communicate directly with visitors when they are moving around the area.
The I phone app is fed by a database of over 1200 listings and choices for the visitor and, like the website www.visitcairngorms.com, gets the customer to the business fast.
Rankin added. “Both the website and I-phone app are industry leaders in letting the user book a table, rooms or an activity within three clicks or taps. Customers now demand that information is immediately to hand. To date we have been able to provide great detail on the area via our website for what is mostly information gathering pre-departure, but now we have taken a massive leap forward in being able to provide customers live up to date information direct to their i-phones as they travel or visit the area.”
The app will identify the users location and then provide through Google Maps directions and a live map tracking their progress to the selected business. The app also provides directions by car, train or on foot to the chosen business.
The sometimes intermittent mobile signal within the Cairngorms National Park is also not a problem for the Cairngorms App as, explains Alan Rankin: “The app will automatically update when the user is within a mobile signal range in order to ensure that no-one misses out on the special offers and users can also gain the most relevant information to them at any one time.”
The Cairngorms Business Partnership decided to launch the App for the I-phone only to begin with following a study of the area that confirmed there was 5 times as many i-phone based enquiries to their website than all the other providers put together and nearly 15 times as many to that of second placed Blackberry users.
The project is supported by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Northern Periphery Programme funded Clim- ATIC Project.
For further information on the I-phone App or the Cairngorms Business Partnership, please contact info@visitcairngorms.com
Posted in Accommodation Aviemore, aviemore activities, cairngorms, food, records | No Responses »
Tags: aviemore, cairngorms national park, camping aviemore, food, holidays, restaurant, scotland, whats on
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
HALF TERM: WALKING, SKI SHOW, SEARCH DOG DEMOS & XMAS SHOP
Friday 15th October & EVERY DAY until the end of October The Walk @The Top at CairnGorm: 11.20, 12.00, 14.00, 14.40
Join a guide to take you up on the funicular to the Ptarmigan building then out on a guided 90-minute walk to the summit of Cairn Gorm and back, before descending by the funicular. Suitable clothing and footwear required. Meet at Ranger Base 15 minutes prior to departure time. Booking advisable on-line at www.cairngormmountain.org. or in person at the ticket office. Adults £13, Students/seniors £12, Children (6-16) £10. (Includes funicular travel.) Friends of CairnGorm £5. Visitors may only exit the Ptarmigan building when on one of these walks.
16th and 17th October – Scotland’s Ski & Snowboard Show at Glasgow SECC
Come and visit all your favourite Scottish Ski Resorts on Stand 67. Everything you could need for the winter season: research and book your winter break, purchase ski and snowboarding equipment at exclusive show prices! As well as this, you can grab a cold beer from the log cabin apres-ski bar, listen to live music and watch some of the world’s best professional ski and snowboarders take part in the Freestyle Jumps Show! Book your tickets now and quote SSSScairn promo code to get a 2 for 1 discount. Book Ski Show Tickets
Thursday 21st October: Search & Rescue Dog Demo with Benny and Moudy 11.30am
Meet at the Ranger Base for the second 40-minute demonstration and talk about the work of mountain rescue dogs with Benny and his rescue dog, Moudy. Come dressed for the weather. Free but donations to SARDA welcome. There will be another demo on 28th October too.
Website Survey
We would love your comments regarding our website. Please can you take a moment to fill out this 5 minute http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SWBNLVC
Also every day
Exhibitions 10.00am – 4.30pm
The Big Freeze exhibition of photographs from last winter is on display in the T Bar and on the stairs up to it as well as in various other locations. Many of the pictures are for sale.
Jane Lannagan, Tomintoul based artist is back in the Base Station with her latest collection of batik artwork, some of which are inspired by Cairn Gorm itself. Pictures are for sale.
Euan Baxter, local photographer and snowsports enthusiast will be displaying his collection of winter photographs in the Ptarmigan Bar and Cas Bar from Saturday until the end of December. A great collection to get everyone in the mood for another snowy winter! Mounted and framed prints will be on sale.
Walk Up, Train Down
Visitors can enjoy 90 minutes of rewarding walking up one of our self-guided paths, enter the Ptarmigan top station, before continuing their walk or purchasing a down only train ticket. (Dogs may come down on the train for a small charge). Appropriate clothing/footwear advised.
Camera Obscura
This free attraction is located in the Mountain Garden near the Base Station and enables visitors to see 360-degree real-time views of the surrounding landscape.
The Igloo
Get the kids to have a go at building the new all-year igloo in the T-Bar.
Shopping
Look out for great clothing, walking essentials, fabulous gifts and accessories in our shops. Don’t forget our Ptarmigan 16-year-old malt whisky in full 70cl bottles and miniatures. Christmas shop in the Mountain Shop now open with lots of decorations, cards and gift ideas.
Eating and drinking
Home-baking every day in our restaurant and cafe bar and hot meals featuring locally sourced ingredients in the mountain-top restaurant.
Wildlife this week
Ptarmigan, now in half winter plumage can be found high on the plateau. Snow Bunting can be seen on the summits and Black Grouse can be seen during early morning on the link road. Red Grouse can be found on the lower moors. The garden is now dying back but is full of golden autumn colour. Work to the Windy Ridge path continues for 5 weeks.
COMING SOON
Thursday 28th October – Search & Rescue Demo’s with Benny & Moudy – 11.30am
Meet at the Ranger Base for the final 40-minute demonstration of a mountain rescue with Benny and his rescue dog, Moudy. Come dressed for the weather. Free but donations to SARDA welcome.
November opening – funicular open every day in November except 1st, 2nd & 3rd.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Friday 15th October: Wind NW 30-35mph with gusts up to 50mph, showers with cloud and snow on the highest summits, some sunshine. Temp at 900m 3C.
Saturday 16th October: Wind N 20mph but dropping away. A few snow showers above 800m. Cloudy but clearing in the afternoon. Some bursts of sunshine. Excellent visibility but poor at times. Temp at 900m 2C.
Outlook: A cold front moving in with a dusting of snow for the highest areas of Scotland. Little wind and and very clear air. Winds will increase through the week with patchy showery rain. Gales on higher summits and showers mid week will turn to snow as the temperature drops.
OPENING TIMES
Every day: Ticket Office and Cas Bar will be open at 10.00am. The first public train up will be at 10.20am, with the last train up at 4.00pm (last down at 4.30pm). UPDATES: Watch the web-site for updates www.cairngormmountain.org. You can also follow us on Twitter at cairngormmtn.
Posted in aviemore, aviemore activities, cairngorms, restaurants, Skiing Aviemore, Skiing Cairngorm, Snowboarding Aviemore, Snowboarding Cairngorm, walking aviemore, Weather | No Responses »
Tags: activities, attractions, aviemore, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, scotland, ski, Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weather, whats on
Friday, October 8th, 2010
WHAT’S ON AT HALF TERM? WALKING, EXHIBITIONS, SEARCH DOG DEMOS
Friday 8th October & EVERY DAY until the end of October The Walk @The Top at CairnGorm: 11.20, 12.00, 14.00, 14.40
Join a guide to take you up on the funicular to the Ptarmigan building then out on a guided 90-minute walk to the summit of Cairn Gorm and back, before descending by the funicular. Suitable clothing and footwear required. Meet at Ranger Base 15 minutes prior to departure time. Booking advisable on-line at www.cairngormmountain.org. or in person at the ticket office. Adults £13, Students/seniors £12, Children (6-16) £10. (Includes funicular travel.) Friends of CairnGorm £5. Visitors may only exit the Ptarmigan building when on one of these walks.
Saturday 9th October: The Cairngorm Charmer 11am start.
“The most charming event in Scotland” This 12 mile adventure relay in 80 teams of two involves a 4 mile run, 4 mile mountain bike and 4 mile run in aid of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. This will be a great event to come and support. Start and finish is in the car park. www.thecharmer.org.
Thursday 14th October: Search & Rescue Dog Demo with Benny and Maudy 11.30am Meet at the Ranger Base for a 40-minute demonstration and talk about the work of mountain rescue dogs with Benny and his rescue dog, Maudy. Come dressed for the weather. Free but donations to SARDA welcome.
Base Station Refurbishment
The Base Station is closed at present and the Ticket Office has relocated to the Ranger Base until Monday 11th October. Entry to the funicular through the lower doors (leading to the toilets) and up the back stairs.
Website Survey – We would love your comments regarding our website. Please can you take a moment to fill out this 5 minute http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SWBNLVC
Also every day
Exhibitions 10.00am – 4.30pm
The Big Freeze Exhibition
Photographs from last winter is on display in the T Bar and on the stairs up to it as well as in various other locations. Many of the pictures are for sale.
Walk Up, Train Down
Visitors can enjoy 90 minutes of rewarding walking up one of our self-guided paths, enter the Ptarmigan top station, before continuing their walk or purchasing a down only train ticket. (Dogs may come down on the train for a small charge). Appropriate clothing/footwear advised.
Camera Obscura
This free attraction is located in the Mountain Garden near the Base Station and enables visitors to see 360-degree real-time views of the surrounding landscape.
The Igloo
Get the kids to have a go at building the new all-year igloo in the T-Bar.
Shopping
Look out for great clothing, walking essentials, fabulous gifts and accessories in our shops. Don’t forget our Ptarmigan 16-year-old malt whisky in full 70cl bottles and miniatures. Christmas shop in the Mountain Shop from Saturday 9th October.
Eating and Drinking
Home-baking every day in our restaurant and cafe bar and hot meals featuring locally sourced ingredients in the mountain-top restaurant.
Wildlife this Week
Ptarmigan have disappeared but should you see any, please do tell the rangers. Snow Bunting can be seen on the summits and Black Grouse can be seen regularly during early morning on the link road. Ring Ouzel and Dotterel have now left for winter. The garden is now dying back for autumn but the Rowan trees are full of berries. Local schools have planted 400 trees in the last week. Work to the Windy Ridge path continues for 6 weeks.
COMING SOON
16th and 17th October – Scotland’s Ski & Snowboard Show at Glasgow SECC
Come and visit all your favourite Scottish Ski Resorts on Stand 67. Everything you could need for the winter season: research and book your winter break, purchase ski and snowboarding equipment at exclusive show prices! As well as this, you can grab a cold beer from the log cabin apres-ski bar, listen to live music and watch some of the world’s best professional ski and snowboarders take part in the Freestyle Jumps Show! Book your tickets now and quote SSSScairn promo code to get a 2 for 1 discount. Book Ski Show Tickets
Thursday 21st, 28th October – Search & Rescue Demo’s with Benny & Maudy – 11.30am
Meet at the Ranger Base for a 40-minute demonstration of a mountain rescue with Benny and his rescue dog, Maudy. Come dressed for the weather. Free but donations to SARDA welcome.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Friday 8th October: Wind SE 25mph with gusts up to 60mph, light drizzle and persistent cloud. Temp at 900m 8-10C.
Saturday 9th October: Wind SE 20mph with gusts up to 45mph. Some drizzle, cloud and some sunshine towards the summits with excellent visibility. Temp at 900m 8-12C.
Outlook: High pressure, developing from the east across northern Britain will dominate the weather for most of next week. Some patchy drizzle and banks of cloud with blustery winds.
OPENING TIMES
Every day: Ticket Office (In the Ranger Base) and Cas Bar will be open at 10.00am. The first public train up will be at 10.20am, with the last train up at 4.00pm (last down at 4.30pm).
Posted in art exhibition, aviemore, aviemore activities, cairngorms, food, Skiing Cairngorm | No Responses »
Tags: activities, Cairngorm, cairngorm mountain, cairngorms, cairngorms national park, scotland, ski, Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, Snowsports, Weather, whats on
