•Glencoe Sledge Park

•England Club Fields

•Mountain Weather

•Peak Half Term - Limited on mountain hire availability left

•Mountain Forecast Discussion

•Webcams and Weather Stations

With Half Term in full swing on mountain hire is extremely busy with pre-bookings and ski school groups. Do not rely on hiring on mountain, unless you have pre-booked. Please be aware that Nevis Range has no operating equipment hire.

Been out on the slopes - please send us your photos to the email address at the foot of this page.

At 9am the A939 Lecht Pass and A93 Cairnwell Pass are now open along with the CairnGorm ski road. Access Chair is now open at Glencoe and Nevis Gondola due to open at 9.30am. Check www.snowgatecameras.co.uk for real time updates.

Around 10-12cm new snow at base of Glencoe, 14-16cm on mountain, with deeper drifts in places. Plateau runs improving steadily.

Glenshee looks to have had 12-14cm with substantial drifting as SE winds hit Storm Force for several hours on the Cairnwell.

CairnGorm has seen lots of snow blowing into the ski area from the Plateau, still gusting 60mph at top station so there will be delays with lifts above the Cas Tow.

Sat Evening update:

A beautiful bluebird morning on Saturday, became a little bit hazy in the afternoon in the West, the first hints of the incoming change in the weather for this evening!

Heavy frontal hill snow is expected into the Western Highlands in the next couple of hours, reaching the Cairngorms by the early hours when wind speeds will peak, Storm Force in some locations for several hours. Initially snow will fall to relatively low levels, though the air temperature on Rannoch Moor is above 0, dew point is below zero and a few snow flurries have been noted in the carpark at Glencoe, blowing in on the wind. There will be a slight and erratic rise in temperature overnight, bringing local variations in snow level.

There is potential for significant snowfalls for at least some West Coast mountains tonight (see forecast discussion below), however with no high level access roads to deal with, if wind tracks the forecast, the Glencoe Access Chair should be good for opening on schedule at 9am.

In the East, there will be drifting of loose lying and falling snow through the early hours at road level, so though the wind is due to moderate substantially by opening time, the road situation for the morning is going to be one of those days of playing it by ear. But if you want to win the freshies lottery, you have to be in it to win it as they say! Given the SE direction and plenty of loose snow at height, CairnGorm could see significant snow drifting onto the Link Road and above in particular, plus the Funicular tunnel. The latest forecasts have the peak wind just shy of Force 12 with gusts peaking at 80mph on the Plateau. The latest forecast data has speeds dropping significantly by first light, an hour either way on that would make a big difference for better or worse for the road crew!

While CairnGorm is not expected to see as much falling snow as the West, there should be significant stashes of fresh into the natural snowfields like the White Lady and Cas Gunbarrel, but also significant new windslab build up giving a considerable avalanche risk. Take heed of the SAIS report if going beyond officially open inbounds terrain.

Wind speeds should not be as high around the Cairnwell Pass, so hopefully no big dramas with the A93 in the morning. The Strathdon approach to the Lecht is susceptible to very heavy drifting in SE wind, so if the snow line stays a good bit below the ski area overnight there could be delays at least on that approach AM.

On Saturday the CairnGorm Funicular was offering 1550ft of non-surface uplift vertical with a mix of green, blue and red terrain accessible from the train. The White Lady, East Lady and M1 RaceTrack are in great shape with spring snow for more experienced riders, and the M2/Daylodge run is a great option from the train for blue terrain skiers / riders.

In terms of snow cover, the East has fared best recently and with the persistence of winds from the SE quadrant it is Glenshee that has seen by far the most snowfall accumulate. The Meall Odhar cafe in the middle valley is due to be open, please note that this cafe is CASH only.

To get the most out of Glenshee you really need to be comfortable with the Pomas, but there should be a decent amount to get at on the Cairnwell side from the Cairnwell Chairlift including the Tiger (black), Thunder Bowl (red), Cairnwell RaceTracks (red + blue) and part of the Bunny Run out into Butcharts Coire. The chair may not run first thing due to wind, but speeds are due to drop away quite quickly.

Given the forecast is for heavier snow in the West, the overnight and early Sun AM wind direction being SE before speeds moderate considerably, and no high level roads, Glencoe could be a smart pick for Sunday turns, expect freshies, not sunshine on Sunday though!

Recently, Glencoe has been more suited to more confident intermediates and above, as by far the best riding is on the upper mountain at this time. However it is hoped that should change overnight, with a notable improvement in the Plateau green runs anticipated for and during Sunday. The top of the mountain at Glencoe is a whole bunch of fun with opportunities to ride stuff that is usually just boulder-fields, as thanks to the persistent SE winds the mountain feels almost back to front!

At the Lecht the main runs are complete and full width between the fences, there are still some icy patches on the steeper face of the Grouse. The Buzzard side has an extensive wide cover and the nursery slopes by the magic carpets have a great base and are in excellent condition thanks to a refresh from the fan guns overnight.

Nevis Range plan to open the Alpha Button and the Goose T-bar, work to locate the Summit Button haul rope continues! The Home Run / Rabbit Run provide a return from the Goose to outside the Top Station. Note, there is NO equipment hire available at Nevis Range and no downhill ski or snowboard hire available in Fort William.

:: Glencoe Sledge Park

The Sledge Park at the Plateau Cafe is in excellent condition! It is advisable to arrive before 2pm at the latest for sledging to get a decent amount of time on the hill. First chair up at 9am, the sledge park is always quietest before 11.30am. Last chair down scheduled for 4pm.

:: England Club Fields

All 3 of the Pennine Club Fields were open on Saturday with a fine day under the ridge of high pressure and conditions helped by a sharp overnight frost firming up/drying out what had been wet ground under the fresh snow. With more drifting thanks to the wind direction, Yad Moss had the best cover going by the photos, but Yad Moss will not run Sunday due to the forecast.

Both Allenheads and Weardale will aim to give it a go on Sunday, but a final decision will be taken in the morning. Allenheads in particularly may only get the morning as milder temperatures are expected by lunchtime. Possibly cooler with further snow early next week. Snow tyres of chains likely to be required to reach Weardale Sun AM.

Over at Raise, the Lake District Ski Club will did not have sufficient snow to operate on Saturday. Given snow is expected in the West overnight, they may attempt to run the Raise Poma on Sunday subject to the snow and weather situation in the morning.

For both Weardale and Allenheads, you need to join the club with a season pass, these are still available for both at this time.

Please check club access rules / availability if not a club member / pass holder.

Weardale: https: //skiweardale.com/ .
Allenheads: http://ski-allenheads.co.uk/ .
Yad Moss: https: //yadmoss.co.uk/ .
Raise: https: //www.ldscsnowski.co.uk/ .

:: Mountain Weather

At 6pm in the West at the Glencoe SSC hut (850m) the temperature was -3.4°c, wind at 11 gusting 40mph. At the Top of the Access (671m) it was -1.4°c. At Base level (366m) it was +1.3°c with a SE wind at 7 gusting 23mph.

The SAIS summit AWS on Aonach Mor was reporting -5.5°c. The Met Office station was reporting a Southerly at 35 gusting 46mph. At the CIC Hut (680m) it was -1.4°c. At Tulloch Station (237m) the temperature was +2.3°c.

In the East the Met Office Summit AWS on CairnGorm reported -7.3°c, while the Heriot Watt Summit Weather Station reported a South Westerly at a mean of 22 gusting 28mph. At Aviemore the temperature at 6pm was +1.4°c.

The Met Office Cairnwell AWS reported -5.3°c with a South wind at 23 gusting 27mph.

:: Peak Half Term - Limited on mountain hire availability left

We are now in the peak of February Half Term proper, subject to weather, the busiest days are likely to be up to and including Wednesday, as the main week of English Half Term coincides with a number of local long weekends.

On-Mountain equipment hire is at or near capacity for several days already, do not expect to hire at the mountain when you arrive unless you have reserved equipment in advance.

Please note that Nevis Range has no operational equipment hire. Glencoe hire opens at 8.30am and allows multi day hires for off site use, this is the only downhill ski and snowboard rental option currently available close to Nevis Range.

As always at half term, the best way to minimise hire queuing is if you have your own equipment, bring it! Safely fitting equipment takes time even with pre-booking.

If you still need equipment hire and are unable to secure an advance booking at the mountain, there are options for hiring on route. If you are travelling from or through Glasgow, try Ski n Board Room. For Glenshee try the Cabin Ski Hire at Bridge of Cally. There are several options in and around Aviemore for CairnGorm, including the Pine Marten Bar on the ski road at Glenmore, immediately after Loch Morlich.

Carparks at Glenshee and CairnGorm are likely to reach capacity on peak days, on CairnGorm shuttle buses will operate from Coire na Ciste from around 9am. Please remember that there are currently no facilities at the Ciste Carpark and there may be a wait for the shuttle bus at peak times.

With considerably more snow in the East, Glencoe is unlikely to have carpark issues over the next few days, but to keep things organised, larger 4wd vehicles please park in the top carpark above the Ticket Office. Only cars and small vans in the main carpark area. Campervans wishing to stay overnight will find the most level areas around the permitter of the overflow carpark.

Glencoe overnight parking - Saturday into Sunday

Due to the forecast for potentially heavy snow to low levels on Saturday night, if staying in the Glencoe accommodation, please only park in the row closest to the microlodges overnight, keeping the rest of the main carpark rows free of vehicles will greatly assist any snow clearing that might be required on Sunday morning. Campervans please try to park around the periphery of the overflow carpark on Saturday evening.

:: Mountain Forecast Discussion

The transient ridge of high pressure which brought us two fine days is slipping away, bluebird skies gave way to progressively hazier skies aloft with the odd gust of wind late afternoon, the first hints of the incoming weather system which will bring heavy frontal snow into the West Coast hills from between 9 and 10pm, through to or possibly post dawn. The leading edge of the frontal snow will reach the Western fringes of the Cairngorms between 10 and 11pm with heavier snow following on by or slightly before midnight.

At update it was beginning to get a bit gustier, with gusts to 40mph mid mountain at Glencoe and 46mph on CairnGorm. Severe Gale, even Storm Force SE then SSE in prone locations, with persistent hill snow setting in through the early hours of Sunday, very difficult mountain conditions through the night with sustained blizzard conditions. SE to South wind widely peaking around SE 50 gusting 70 to 80mph for a number of hours overnight, mean speeds possibly peaking in the region of 60 to 70mph for a couple of hours.

Snowfall on Western mountains will be persistent into the dawn period, easing as the wind lulls for a period as it veers more Westerly. Thereafter clusters of heavy convective snow showers will come in to the West Coast mountains, where these showers will at times again merge into longer spells of snow, heavy at times into the afternoon, with a small risk of lightning. Wind generally SW or WSW around 25 to 30 gusting 40mph after the wind veers round, risk of some higher gusts in and around more intensive convective cells, but general wind speed should continue to slowly moderate further through Sunday.

For the East Highlands the overnight snow is expected to be less heavy and ease to showers before dawn, a mix of sunny spells and snow showers for Sunday daytime, but these showers less frequent and generally less intense than further West.

Sunday will see Munro Level temperatures of minus 4 rising -1 or -2°c for a time, later dropping a degree again.

Monday will be a day of snow showers coming on a NW wind, these more frequent in the West, around -3 to -4°c at Munro Level. NW wind tending to veer NNW, around 15 to 20mph with gusts to 30mph. Sunny spells developing between snow showers, these more frequent in the East/SE Highlands.

Early indications are a weak ridge of high pressure will settle things down from the West for Tuesday, freezing at most levels in land, with a slight NW breeze, potentially becoming light and variable in the West where current indications favour nearly unbroken sunshine. Some light snow showers into the Northern Cairngorms on the NW wind over the top of the ridge. Temperature lowering to between -4 and -6°c at Munro Level.

The previous uncertainty for midweek looks to be resolving in favour of the ridge of high pressure being in situ Wednesday and probably Thursday. Both now look like cold days, freezing at most levels inland with a light ENE becoming variable breeze on Wednesday and a light becoming moderate Southerly for Thursday. Around -5 to -7°c at Munro Level on Wednesday with the best of the sunshine and clearest skies in the West, around -4 to -5°c for Thursday, best of the sunshine towards the North of the main ranges, tending to become hazier and partly cloudy from the South. Possible light snow into the Southern Cairngorms if wind there is slightly East of due South.

However, it is worth noting that there are still some ensemble members across various forecast models picking up a fairly notable low pressure system for Wednesday, so things are not nailed on, despite the direction of travel favouring a more settled midweek period.

:: Webcams and Weather Stations

Lowther Hill: Leadhills webcam is online (24/7).

GLENCOE: All mountain webcams online and the first updated images are from the Top of the Access Chair are around 7am, other cams come on by 7.30am. Sledge Park camera streams overnight. The mid mountain weather station wind direction is not working, other data valid.