Thanks for the quick and detailed response, Andy.

Having boarded down a piste basher chewed Side Winder at Nevis 2 weeks ago, I have no desire for that to happen to the Main Basin.

Another glorious bluebird day, virtually no queues, lots of wide grins in evidence! Nearly went taps aff it was that sunny.

You can't ski back to the access lift now as the snow's only extending to the cliffhanger chair/wall t-bar, so pack trainers to make the walk back a bit less of a hirple (wish I had). They're going to need to do some work patching the plateau poma uptrack, was a bit melty even when I was heading up at 10am and was looking pretty far gone by 3.30pm.

My last slide of the season I think but a great one - thanks and credit to all at Glencoe.

Saturday was just great. A real party atmosphere on the hill.
See public report and pics
[www.winterhighland.info]
Happy Days

Sunday was another great day. The usual crowd were a bit subdued after Saturday's partying. The skiing and snow conditions possibly even better, not requiring any pisting with all round spring snow.
Report here
[www.winterhighland.info]

Fingers crossed for the snow holding up for a few weekends yet. Special thanks to all the staff at Glencoe, who keep it all going, always with big smiles and plenty patter on offer for us very lucky people.





Edited 1 times. Last edit at 23.00hrs Sun 19 Apr 15 by paraffin.

Free camping at the bottom of the lift, cheap food, super-friendly staff, funny people, great snow and lots of sun. Where else could you get all that? Best weekend I've had for a good while. Glencoe is fantastic.

Loved our first time experience of camping at the slopes and had a great ski. Enjoyed the late opening cafe too. Hats off to Glencoe for that. However:

- As is seemingly the acceptable norm on many sites nowadays, the carpark/campsite had 'music' (aka lyricless, tuneless, bass-heavy $h1t€) pounding at high volume until the early hours. I like a drink and a good time as much as the next man but must question the mentality of the completely selfish, inconsiderate idiots concerned and their 'screw the lot of you' attitude.

- We woke to find that some thieving b@$t@rd had helped themselves to half of our tent pegs. A first in 25 years of camping. Who would do that and why??

Mountain addict, Glad to hear you enjoyed the skiing, sorry to hear about your experience with the loud music. Not something we have had a problem with before but I will have a word. Regarding the tent pegs guess it might be linked potentially someone thinking it funny for your tent to fall down during the night.

Dear Mountain Addict,

I was parked up very close to the scene of the impromtu party. I could see what was developing, but was too tired to join in. I took the decision that if the party got too much or went on too long, I had a number of options:
1. Move my van to a discreet distance, as many did.
2. Put my ear plugs in (always to hand)
3. Join in the party and try to turn down the tone and pace a bit by asking DJ Dave if he would mind putting on some Ambient Jazz ;-)
4. A fleeting thought of getting my revenge by waking at my usual time of 06:15 and putting on some high volume drum and bass.

As it happened, I fell asleep only to wake up to silence around 2:00/ 3:00 am.

In defence of the party crowd, I have found them to be very friendly, totally passionate & very active about Glencoe Ski Centre. I think they would be the last people to intentionally offend anyone or have activities curtailed at Glencoe.

If you are same Mountainaddict who posts regularly on here and on Snow Heads, you appear very keen to get value for money.
Just think! FREE CAMPING, FREE MUSIC, DISCOUNTED LIFT PASSES, FREE BANTER, BEST SKIING IN UK, and LOTS ELSE getting passed round for FREE!

I hope Saturday night did not put you off. Please come again and support Glencoe Ski Centre. They are the most amazing friendly bunch. Just come and say, "Hi"
Kindest regards
Paraffin








Edited 2 times. Last edit at 18.02hrs Mon 20 Apr 15 by paraffin.

Cheers Igloo! Certainly wasn't expecting any action re the noisy party perpetrators! Happens at loads of campsites so just put it down to the way of the world these days.

We were so knackered we also just went to sleep (eventually) Paraffin. Bit more of a chew on to move a tent than a van etc - but we have sussed out a quieter spot for next time. Haven't been put off Glencoe (or Scottish skiing) - we love and appreciate what they are doing and will continue supporting the ski areas with our 600 mile round trip/9-10 hour drive about 10 times a season, as we have done for years.

I don't doubt the skiing passion or commitment of the party animals - but don't think that should be licence to be inconsiderate to fellow campers.

Bit puzzled as to how my Snowheads or Winterhighland posts suggest that I like value for money though?? But then again, who doesn't?

Mountain Addict,
Good on you! Great committment driving all that way.

To answer your question on value for money, Ihave sent you a private message. Not sure the message service works, but if you receive it, just post on here to tell you have, please.
Davie Paraffin

I've been up at glencoe a lot this season,mostly camping in the van. The last time I was kept awake until 2/3am by folk playing music from a van parked up in the carpark with 4 or 5 folk hanging about outside....a bit annoying but won't stop me going back.

In addition to skiing for years at Glencoe, we've stayed in the hobbit houses a couple of times and had a great time. We were also planning a camping trip at some point over the summer. We have huge admiration with what you've done with the business, Andy.

Unfortunately though, what's been described here (and acknowledged by the management) is just not compatible with having an enjoyable time when one has young kids in tow so we won't be planning any overnight stays in the foreseeable future.

I appreciate it's a difficult decision to make when you have loyal customers like the lucky devils that are able to stay up dancing late in to the night. However, my experience in general when at campsites in Scotland is that noise isn't permitted in camping areas after 10pm.

Stealing tent pegs is really not cool even if you have had a skinful of craft beers.

Hi,

I am truly sorry for the families, campers and those caught up in the party noise.
In no way would I endorse unruly and anti-social behaviour if it was affecting families and kids quiet enjoyment.
To be fair the camping and vanning scenario has developed to date with minimal rules and a light touch. It would be sad to see the Glencoe site go the way of for example the Camping & Caravan Club sites - which are truly awful sanitised and prohibitively expensive experiences.
I am confident that the owner will find a way to maintain harmony, perhaps without the imposition of strict rules and regulations.
I am also confident that the party goers will agree / arrange activities in a way to minimise their impact. They are a pretty creative, motivated and friendly bunch.
To me it is about mucking in together, so that everyone gets some of what they want.
On a lighter note - I did not realise that drinking craft beer was directly linked to stealing tent pegs. ;-)
Meanwhile the fun we all came for continues up the mountain
[www.winterhighland.info]

Here's hoping to many more happy times at Glencoe for everyone.



Edited 3 times. Last edit at 18.09hrs Tue 21 Apr 15 by paraffin.

Wineraddict,

I can recommend Howard Leight Laser Lite earplugs, available for pennies on Ebay and great for blocking out life's little annoyances.

Earlier in the season I was woken in the middle of the night by them clearing the car park with the JCB, although this was perfectly understandable as there was about 30cm of snow on it at the time! Other than that I've never had any issue with noise from other users.

One issue with any policing of noise is I'm not sure if any staff stay on-site overnight. I think if you've parked your van or camped for free then grounds to complain to Glencoe are limited, although if you've paid for accommodation that's probably a different matter.

Nicking tentpegs from strangers is def out of order.

I was awoken before 5am by a cuckoo this morning and I have to say it was considerably more audible in the main camping bit than the music was on Saturday night - it was also significantly more monotonous in it's selection of tunes.