Deep Snow In Scottish Ski Areas & Beyond
8th February 2021
Last modified on May 20th, 2021
They’re the best snow conditions in more than a decade. What a shame the lifts are closed and only the hardiest of locals prepared to earn their turns can enjoy it.
It was bound to happen.
Mother Nature has delivered at a time when most skiers and snowboarders can do no more than look on with envy.
The snow levels are huge.
Here was the scene earlier in the week as workers from Perth & Kinross Council cleared the snow on the A93 that leads to the ski resort of Glenshee.
It’s been pretty much coming down since the end of December.
This week it’s very cold in Scotland, thanks to the Beast From The East 2.
Altnaharra in the Highlands is reported to have plummeted to -17.1 Celsius overnight Tuesday/Wednesday.
That was the lowest recorded temperature in the UK since December 2010.
It’s then dropped even lower on Wednesday/Thursday overnight, down to -22.9 Celsius in Braemar.
The coldest UK temperature for 65 years.
We can now confirm that last night was the coldest February night across the UK since 23rd February 1955 🌡️ 📉
That includes the infamous winter of 1962/1963 ❄️
The #temperature in Braemar, Aberdeenshire fell to minus 23.0 °C at 08:13 this morning 🥶 pic.twitter.com/NpcdIbg5eC
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 11, 2021
The cold conditions are forecast to continue for several more days.
There has been some welcome blue skies and sunshine in places in Scotland.
Glenshee was reporting on Sunday that it had seen more than a metre fall in the previous few days and they’ve had more since.
Some who have skinned up have been rewarded with slopes covered in powder.
In fact, there’s some exceptional skiing to be had, even outside the main ski areas.
Callum Johnston has compared his experience on Sunday to being in Japan.
“I felt like I had died and gone to heaven yesterday! Unreal Scottish conditions just now,” he said.
https://www.facebook.com/callum.johnston.790/posts/3722496294454798
There is, though, a high avalanche risk in places and those planning to head out should check the forecast and be prepared.
After some dreadful recent years, this would have been a bumper winter season for the five Scottish mountain resorts, if only they’d been allowed to open.
They’ve been in lockdown since 5th January and it’s not known when they’ll be able to start running their lifts.
The Scottish lockdown will continue until at least the end of February.
The good news is that the base they currently have in the ski areas and the cold weather that’s forecast to continue should protect the snow well into the spring.
Scotland’s season tends to be a late one and often resorts can stay open into May.
So, all is not lost.
If they’re able to open in March, there could be another six or more weeks left for snowsports.
Maybe even those of us in England might be allowed across the border to share the joy.
Here are couple more photos to see what we’re missing.
And some videos that have been shared on social media to enjoy.
At Glencoe…..
https://www.facebook.com/GlencoeMountain/videos/411017800122734
And the Back Corries …..
https://www.facebook.com/BackCorries/videos/3422386064555958
There’s been some epic snow in the Alps too.
The opening race of the Alpine World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy scheduled for Monday – the women’s alpine combined – was cancelled due to a snowstorm.
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