Heavy snow across the Highlands has enabled Cairngorm Mountain to reopen for snowsports today.
The top station is reporting a northerly wind of 15 mph and a temperature of -6.0C. It's currently snowing but the hill mist is starting to clear. The ticket office opens this morning at 10 a.m, first train up at 10.20 a.m, last train up at 16 p.m, last train down at 16.30 p.m.
For those of lower abilities the Ciste Fairway will be open with the West Wall Poma running from half way. For better skiers and boarders there is a thin cover route from the top to the middle via the 105 piste all the way. There are some other thin covered routes, but these are unpatrolled, ungroomed and have some rocks (at your own risk!). Bring your rock-hoppers! Half-day ticket prices will apply. Trains are running on demand with mid-station stops.
Yesterday conditions were so bad that a major rescue opereation was launched after a party of hillwalkers became stranded on the mountain due to the heavy overnight snow. The nine hillwalkers, including six teenagers, were successfully airlifted to safety.
Cairngorm Mountain will assess the conditions tomorrow and decide whether to open the lifts for another end-of-season ski day.
