eleventh April 2025
Resorts have described circumstances as poor. There was the bottom variety of avalanches previously 40 years – a sign of restricted snowfall. NEW
Six mountain areas – Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Torridon and Northern and Southern Cairngorms – are monitored for avalanche threat from between mid-December to mid-April.
The Scottish Avalanche Data Service, SAIS, has posted a provisional determine of 42 for the season, with its workforce describing snow circumstances this winter as “lean”.
SAIS recorded 172 avalanches final season.
Its highest recorded quantity, 350, was in 2013-14.
See right here for the complete story on the BBC.
Co-ordinator Mark Diggins instructed BBC Scotland Information in February that for the primary time in practically 20 years there had been durations throughout the newest season when SAIS had issued no day by day avalanche hazard studies as a result of snow was so scarce.
SAIS’ Creag Meagaidh forecaster mentioned anecdotally it had been the “leanest” season for snow for the 1,130m (3,707ft) mountain and surrounding space in additional than 30 years.
Solely 13 recorded avalanches had been recorded in comparison with 50 in 2023-24.
SAIS forecasts are utilized by hillwalkers, climbers, skiers and snowboarders.
Nevertheless, one in all Scotland’s mountain ski resorts is to maintain artificially producing snow till subsequent month.
Andy Meldrum, managing director of Glencoe Mountain, mentioned it had been a poor winter by way of pure snowfall.
The positioning began manufacturing snow in November and has saved it topped up since then.
The 80m (262ft) lengthy slope open stays open for sledging and newbie snowboarding.
Mr Meldrum mentioned: “We’ve not had numerous snow, however have carried out okay. It’s definitely not the worst season we’ve had.”
See right here for extra on the BBC.
Glencoe, Scotland. Picture c/o Dianne Frazer
The positioning’s snow manufacturing facility could make 100 cubic metres of snow a day.
Different ski resorts, together with Cairngorm Mountain, additionally use artificially-made snow throughout the winter season.
Cairngorm managed 100 days of snowboarding on their slope, earlier than it melted.
The centre mentioned snow sports activities might resume if circumstances allowed for it.
Mr Meldrum mentioned Glencoe has had one in all its poorest seasons by way of skiers, with about 7,000 thus far when often there would have about 25,000 guests over the winter season.
However he mentioned numbers of individuals sledging has been larger than regular – 23,000 thus far in comparison with 15,000.
Mr Meldrum mentioned it had been a drier winter than standard, which led to fewer days when it snowed.
He mentioned: “We’ve got a maritime local weather. We’ve acquired used to that at Glencoe.
“We’ve got wonderful seasons, now we have dreadful seasons, good ones and unhealthy ones.”
Glencoe. Picture c/o Rod Frazer
Glencoe, Scotland. Picture c/o Dianne Frazer
“When it does snow we be sure we’re able to have the whole lot open. When it doesn’t snow we attempt to present different stuff.”
The snow slope is to be open for snowboarding till late April and sledging till early Could.
The Lecht and Glenshee snowsports centres in Aberdeenshire are closed to snowsports as a consequence of an absence of snow.
Within the season of 23/24 two of our reporters, Rod Frazer and Simon Wilson, had been on the Scottish ski slopes in Fabruary – with blended fortunes:
Rod Frazer at Glencoe. Picture c/o Rod Frazer
The Lecht, Scotland. Picture c/o Simon Wilson.
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