At this time of year our ranger team organise a staff sweepstake on how long it will take for all the snow to disappear from the Headwall of the CAS. Up until recent years there have been records of snow patches lasting through the summer in the Cairngorms, but this is now very unusual given the changes to our climate that we are currently experiencing. The earliest day all the snow has melted is the 7th June and the latest has been the 28th July. It is possible to get fresh snow on the tops any month of the year and I know at least one person who has skied (albeit on small patches of snow at times ) every month of the year. It is not unusual for keen skiers to find a patch on midsummer’s day .
Next week we have a meeting with the other ski areas to look at how we can work together to help promote and develop Scottish skiing. These meetings take place in the spring and autumn. This year we ended the season with just over 62,000 skier days, that’s around 37% of the Scottish ski market. Last year we had around 50% of the market, but that was unusual as our normal market-share is approximately 32%.
Through the summer I plan to post blogs to keep you updated on what’s happening here on the mountain, but not quite as frequently as in the winter. We will be working on some major modifications to the web site – your feedback has been most helpful in telling us what does and does not work. Thank you Bob
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May 18th, 2008 at 11:36 am
when you meet with the other resorts would it be possible to discuss developing a season ticket for some or all the resorts. Coming from Stirling i usally ski at the Nevis Range, the Cairngorms and occassionally at Glencoe. Im not quite willing to buy two season tickets for the nevis range and the cairngorms, however i would be willing to pay a higher season ticket price which covered the two resorts. If all 5 resorts were included even better. Im sure there are many more people in the central belt who would welcome this option.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:10 am
2 years ago we introduced the 5 area pass. All proceeds go dircetly to the Ski Scotland marketing group , rather than the individual areas. You can enquire about these passes at www.ski-scotland.co.uk
bob
May 20th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Interesting news about HIE Bob, are you going to be able to give us more information about this here or is that difficult at the moment?
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hi Bob,
will snow making be viable on the ptarmigan plateau as a way of having a longer season and making the most of the ‘different’ weather we have now?
john
May 29th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Is snow making the answer to help sustain Scottish skiing?
Making snow in Scotland is technically possible and has been used successfully, at times, on a very limited basis, at both Glenshee and The Lecht. Whether use on a larger scale is practical or economic is still unclear without further investigation.
Snow making could be used to supplement snow cover, effectively fill gaps /complete runs, or it may be feasible to create entire runs of snow in the absence of natural snow.
Of all the ski destinations in Europe, Iceland has the most similar climate to Scotland (Artic maritime). Iceland has made considerable investment in snow making and this has apparently been very successful as part a strategy to develop a sustainable skiing economy. Iceland is also similar to Scotland in that it is serves a domestic ski market.
As part of a new initiative of collaboration and exchange, the North Atlantic Ski Areas Association (NASAA) has been established. Iceland has agreed to host a two day seminar in August to look at operating practices and snow making feasibility. Scottish ski areas have been invited to atatend.
Some Initial questions that would need to be considered are:
•Given the current changes in the climate, what percentage of a winter would it be feasible to make snow on Scottish Mountains (worst –best case scenarios)?
•Taking into account the most informed thinking on climate change trends, what would be the time frame for any significant changes to the climate that influence snow making feasible?
•What would the capital cost of snow making be? Wher would this come from?
•What are environmental implications of installing and maintaining the infrastructure?
•What are on going maintenance costs?
•How much water is required? How could this be captured , what are the SEPA/environmental implications of this ?
•What are the running costs? What is the electrical capacity required?
•Could the capital investment required be utilised in another way that would have a greater impact on sustaining operations on Cairn Gorm-
•The current market is around 150,000 skier’s days in a good year, how will demographic change impact on this market in terms of volume and behaviour?
•Easy jet culture has meant that a lot more Scottish skiers are travelling abroad, given the current global economics, oil price, exchange rates what would be the expected impact on the Scottish ski market?
food for thought
bob
May 29th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Cheers for getting back Bob, yeah, I agree, many many variables to consider, but if taxation clobbers the easy jet flights, might be a case of making the best of what you have got to get those skiers back.
I suppose another option would be a sufficient dry slope on one of the runs. Something perhaps 300m +.
John
October 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hello Bob,
I had always wondered why snow cannons were not in use on Cairngorm, I just assumed there was a good reason why it had been discounted.
What was the outcome of the August seminar out of interest - do you think snow-making will be an option?
Well done with all your efforts to date at Cairngorm, the website is superb and I read your blog with avid interest. I think people have a real interest in how it all works behind the scenes. You must get bored with all the helpful suggestions though……….
October 6th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Simon ,
Did not make it to Iceland although reps from Nevis Range and Glenshee did. Mixed messages on the effectiveness of snow making. We are hoping to host a return conference in Scotland next year.
I read in the Sunday papers yesterday about new snow making technology being used in Austria this winter - cheaper , no chemicals and can be made at very high temperatures. There is still, however, a big question mark over serious snow making in Scotland . It has not been discounted by any means - but lots to consider not least of all getting the money from somewhere- this would only be possible with a guarenteed returnon investment . Sensible researh is a starting point .
Bob