Cairngorms National Park - Highland Perthshire, Aviemore, Glenlivet, Royal Deeside

Cairngorms National Park. Welcome to the Cairngorms Park accommodation and holiday blog. On Cairngorms-Park.com you'll find the widest range of self-catering holiday homes, hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, hostels and caravanning/camp sites situated in the Cairngorms Park, from Blair Atholl to Aviemore, into Glenlivet and Royal Deeside. You'll also find details of all the villages and tourist attractions in the Cairngorms Park, information on active-, water- and snow sports, including every annual event and festival. Look for our definitive guide to the Cairngorms National Park's golf courses, places to eat and drink, the best nightlife, distilleries and other world class visitor attractions. Your Cairngorms Park holiday starts here!

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Cairngorm mountains and ancient Scots Pine Forests, Aviemore and The Cairngorms National Park remains Scotland's favourite all year round visitor destination. Whether you're skiing, snow boarding, climbing, walking or just touring, you'll be doing it in some of Europe's finest and most spectacular National Park.

Wednesday 31 December 2008

Whats on newyear at the Cairngorm Mountain

SKIING & SNOW SPORTS
We expect to open the Coire na Ciste Ski Tow, Ptarmigan Ski Tow and Polar Express. Limited skiing is available on the upper runs including The Ptarmigan Bowl and the Ciste Fairway. Conditions remain hard and icy and we strongly recommend that beginner/ intermediate skiers book into a ski school class and are accompanied by an instructor. If you do not plan to take a lesson then you should be an expert skier /snowboarder confident with icy conditions. (Expert skier/boarder means you ski/board red runs with confidence). The sledge park will continue to be reviewed daily and will open if conditions permit.

NON SKIING VISITORS
Settled, clear weather is providing perfect conditions for a mountain visit and many have been enjoying the wintry views, this settled weather is set to change in the New Year. Conditions outside the Ptarmigan Top Station remain hard and icy and caution is required by all visitors going outside to watch the snow sports. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing and remain close to the Top Station.

CLIMBERS & WALKERS
Conditions remain very hard and icy and extreme caution is required on all upper level routes. Crampons required. Easier walking is available at lower levels.

WEATHER OUTLOOK New Year 1st Jan 09: Wind E 10-15mph. Snow flurries likely. Cloud cover will extend from 600m upwards. A few glimpses of sun likely out with snow showers. Temp at 900m -2C to -4C.
Friday 2nd Jan 09: Wind E 10-15mph. Snow flurries likely to continue. Extensive cloud base 650m - 900m, may break up over northern and western hills. Patchy sunshine. Temp at 900m -2C to -4C.
Outlook: Cold and largely dry on all mountain areas through into next week - perhaps all week. Banks of low cloud will persist with potential for snow flurries.
EVENTS Celebrate the 60's on the 3rd and 4th January. Dig out and wear your 60's ski gear on the 3rd and 4th January 09. If you can present your original CairnGorm season ticket from any year in the 60's at the ticket office on Saturday 3rd or Sunday 4th Jan you can ski for free on those dates. (Excludes equipment hire, lessons and sledging).
Monday 5th January 09. Everyone skis or rides the train for the 60's price of 20 shillings - that's just £1 in today's money. (Excludes equipment hire, lessons and sledging)
Public WiFi Access The Cas Bar is now a public WiFi access zone. So if you need to get connected do it from the warmth of the Cas Bar.

SKI HIRE
When skiing takes place, ski hire will be open for business.

FOOD & DRINK & SHOPS T
he Cas Bar will be open 9.00am to 4.00pm. Ptarmigan Restaurant and Shop at the Top will be open from 10am from Monday 5th January 09.

OPENING TIMES
New Year's Day: First Train Up is 10.00am. CairnGorm Mountain will be open daily conditions permitting. First Train Up 9.00am. Last Train Up 3.20pm. Last Train Down 4.00pm. Please call or visit the web site for up to date information.

Friday 19 December 2008

Aviemore Cairngorm Mountain

This week has resulted in a serious thaw. We are all watching the forecast and hoping for snow.... We have attached a survival guide for Christmas giving some useful tips to help ease your visit over the Christmas break.
WEATHER
Friday 19th Dec: Wind W backing S 35-40mph gusting 55mph strengthening to 65 by dusk with gusts of 80-100mph. Snow showers above 500m heavy at times. Cloud base 900 - 1100m and down to 400m in showers. Patches of sun. Temp at 900m -1C.
Saturday 20th Dec: Wind W backing SW 20-30mph. Spells of snow above 450m but becoming a steady fall extending northwards. Cloud at times on higher northern summits. Patches of sun will fade as cloud thickens from south. Temp at 900m -1 to -2C.
CairnGorm Mountain WEB SITE
A new version of the web site will go live on Monday 22nd December at 12 noon. Your bookmarks should automatically redirect. All feedback welcome email: tania@cairngormmountain.org

SNOWSPORTS OUTLOOK FOR THIS WEEKEND
All weather dependent. At the moment there is sufficient snow to open the following lifts: Coire na Ciste, Polar Express and possibly Coire Cas T bar. The runs have narrowed considerably and we need to wait and see what the next 48 hours will bring in the way of snow.
The Christmas/New Year holiday can be a busy time and due to the large number of visitors it is likely there will be queues for services like the ticket office, ski hire and ski school. Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit.
Opening times: (from Saturday 20th December 2008)
First public train up is 9.00 am. (Other uplift may open earlier subject to conditions). Competent skiers and snow boarders are encouraged to use the lift system (if open) to reach higher runs and relieve congestion on the funicular. Last train up 3.20pm. Last train down 4.00 pm. Lifts at the top of the mountain will close earlier due to the limited numbers of day light hours. Please note that we will be closed on Christmas Day but will be open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Hogmanay and New Year's Day. Sight seeing visitors are most welcome and we advise them to plan their visit between 11am and 2.30pm to avoid the early and end of day congestion with skiers.
Equipment hire.
During holiday periods there can be pressure on the availability of children's ski equipment. There are other hire outlets in the area so if you are not an early riser we strongly advise you to hire off-site.
The Ski School.
They still have lesson availability but please pre-book by calling 01479 861319 (10.00-16.00). If the enquiry line is busy please leave your name and number and the Ski School will call you back.
Sledging.
The Sledge Park will be open by 10.30am daily subject to conditions. It is located just outside the Top Station and tickets can be purchased from the Shop at the Top. The presence of streams and rivers under the snow pack makes it dangerous to sledge other than in the designated area.
Walking. We recommend non skiing visitors consider a walk down the Allt Mor Trail from Coire Cas Car Park. This picturesque, easy, downhill walk (approx 2 hrs) goes from high moorland through Caledonian pine forest and finishes at Glenmore (you can return either on foot or by public bus). Full details available from the Ranger Base.
Buying Tickets
Non-skiing visitors and sledging visitors will require a funicular ticket to ride the train. If you plan to visit us more than 1 day you may want to consider purchasing a Friends of CairnGorm Mountain ticket.Snowsports visitors require a skiing ticket – this includes unlimited use of all lifts and the train. All equipment hire and lift tickets should be paid for at the ticket office prior to collecting equipment from the collection point on production of your receipt and rental deposit - credit card or cash (£200) – no passports, car keys, mobile phones or pets please!
Purchase your tickets on line at httpMailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.cairngormmountain.co.uk" claiming to be ://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/buy-tickets-online/ or buy and collect your snow sports tickets on Friday night up until 10pm from Aviemore Ski and Board Hire next door to the Aviemore Laundry Service (underneath the Post Office) in the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre. (Call Carol or Brian on 01479 811711 or 811917 to let them know what you need.)
Catering.
The Ptarmigan Restaurant (Top Station). Snacks, hot drinks, bar and hot menu. Open from 9am.
The Cas Bar (Day Lodge). Bar, Hot drinks and light snacks. Open from 9am.
Consider taking an early or a late lunch. Ski school classes do make the lunchtime period very busy between 12.30pm and 2pm.
Packed lunches can be eaten on Level 2 in the Day Lodge.
Parking, Car Sharing and Public Transport.
If you are planning to visit consider car sharing with friends (from Aviemore) or taking the public bus. This will help car park availability for everyone. Park and Ride Shuttle Bus will operate from the Ciste Car Park subject to demand.
Ski Ambassador Tours.
Tours of the ski area led by our Hilton Ski Ambassadors will take place daily – meeting point Top Station exit doors at 11.30am. These are free of charge for all skiers and snowboarders. Suitable for level 3/4 skiers and above (i.e. not beginners).
Shop at CairnGorm Mountain. Hats, gloves, goggles, wrist guards and helmets - all on sale in our both our shops.Hill Photographer - Peter DienderThrouhgout the holiday period a Hill Photographer will be out and about taking pcitures. He is highly visibile in his high vis vest. There is no obligation to buy but you can visit his web site for shots. www.action-heroes.co.uk

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