The first skiers of the season were out at Clashindarroch this morning. The 1cm depth on the lower trails made for interesting skiing because it was frozen, making even the most gentle uphills challenging, and behaviour on any downhills extraordinarily cautious. However, further snow showers around daybreak gave 2-3cm depth on parts of the Haute Route which gave quite pleasant skiing -- not bad for October! The temperature was plus 1. The higher part of the A941 was very icy.

More snow showers are forecast. If the snow stays, skiers approaching Rhynie from the north should note that the A97 will be closed just north of Rhynie for two weeks from Monday 29th October, according to road signs.

More snow arrived overnight, giving 3-5cm depth generally on most trails, but with small gaps in the usual places. A frozen crust allowed good skiing, especially on the Haute Route. There was a topping of 9cm of snow on the rocks at Barns of Haddoch, gently steaming in full sun and perfectly still air. Although the trails softened in the midday sun, they were crisping up again by mid-afternoon. Anyone negotiating the green and white patchiness of Range Way should look out for the sudden acceleration where it emerges onto frozen snow at the junction with Biathlon Way! The Range had continuous cover.

Thanks to Peter for news that 1cm of fresh snow arrived on the Haute Route last night, with cumulative depths there amounting to 5-10cm generally. Descents were interesting this afternoon due to a very uneven surface, with an icy crust making it very hard to brake. Snow is slowly disappearing on the lower trails. Timberline kept to the flat, finding the Range still with 95% cover, 5cm deep, but like a skating rink, except that the surface was a frozen snow crust rather than ice.

With rain and mild temperatures having moved in overnight, the snow at Clashindarroch can be expected to wear away today. On Friday the snow on the upper trails still had a crust and would have provided some fast skiing on the Haute Route. Lower down, near the foot of Leids Leap, only soft scraps of snow remained in the evening. But -- it's been a special week -- the kind of early bonus that seems to happen about once in 5 years on average.

Peter Thorn reports that due to the change in weather the snow has now gone, but it was good while it lasted!

Shame, I didn’t even head up today, after checking lecht webcams and seeing snow loss there this morning
A bonus to get out last weekend

At last -- after a gap of more than two months, there is skiing at the Clash. The overnight snowfall has deposited 5-8cm of good skiable snow -- a wee bit thinner in places, as usual, and a wee bit more on parts of the Haute Route, which is a pleasure to ski. Care needed on the upper part of Telemark Twist and the descent at the start of Normans Way.There is ample snow at the Range. A beautiful winter day today with sun, snow on the trees, temperatures at or below freezing, and no wind. It looks as if the snow will stay. It would be nice if we were to get a shower now and again to keep it from getting too icy. The A941 from Rhynie has been ploughed but is icy.

It says something for the Scottish winter that despite the long gap since the first skiable snow we still have the bulk of the season to look forward to!

I've just received a report that most of the main trails were groomed today, with the Haute Route responding best as it has the deepest cover at present. With temperatures at the Clash staying below freezing all day today, conditions should be great over the weekend, but be wary of thin cover in the usual places.(Might be worth keeping the best skis for another time).

Clashindarroch was swathed in freezing fog this morning (temp minus 5 at 10:00), with the sun filtering through to give unusual lighting effects. Although there are some thin stretches to look out for, the snow is good -- like dry compacted icing sugar on the groomed trails, and the thin bits are worth putting up with. Two notable spots needing care are (1) the top 30 metres of Telemark Twist, where a cautious descent on the edge of the right-hand, rushy verge allows progress; and (2) the descent at the start of Normans Way, where a few metres are unskiable due to stones, but under this morning's conditions a shuffle down the left-hand verge let one get by. There is good reason to expect the snow to last through Sunday and beyond, although there will naturally be some wear and tear on the popular trails.

My first ever trip to Clashindarroch at the weekend.
Some great x-country skiing and sledging with the boy.

Was inspired to visit by the updates posted here and on facebook.
Brilliant place, especially with current cover.
Everyone should visit at least once.
Probably the best skiing in Scotland right now ;-)












[www.haggistrap.co.uk]



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If we wanted to learn to XC ski are there lessons available for a newbie and could we also walk the dogs in the same forest????

Great photos Doug -- glad you got up to the Haute Route. Enjoyed our chat in the car park, and great that you all enjoyed the visit.

gregh, many thanks for your enquiry. There are plenty of opportunities to learn XC both in the forest when there's snow and at the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre. One of us will get back to you soon with more detailed information. On your other question, many of the skiers have dogs with them who usually have a great time unless the snow is really deep. All that we ask is that any deposits are flung into the trees well clear of the trails. It's a good plan to bring water for the dog as natural watercourses are few and far between unless they like eating snow!

Gregh you can hire skis and get lessons at the Huntly Nordic & Outdoor Centre:

[www.huntlynordicandoutdoorcentre.com]

[www.facebook.com]


If there is no snow your lessons will still go ahead on their artificial mat and in fact the mat is great place to learn the basics before moving onto snow.


Your other question about dogs has been answered by Timberline. We get plenty of dog walkers in the forest and most people try to be considerate and not walk on the cut classic tramlines. It isn't our (skiers) forest, it belongs to everyone. We would rather see you skiing with your dogs than walking. We do have some members in the Huntly club who go skijoring with their dogs.


And to Doug Bryce - glad you enjoyed your first visit to the Clash hope we see you there again.

Glad you enjoyed the visit Doug and great photos
And the updates on here and FB inspired you
It is a pretty special place to go XC skiing, and with snow on hills too thin gives a perfect opportunity to get out on skis.
It is also a good option when the hills are clogged in fog or stormbound.

The trails will have been much enjoyed on Sunday but they're now wearing thin, highly polished, and fast! Expect to find stones and gravel in places, even on the Haute Route. The dark alley at the top of Wildcat is pretty much worn out, while Leids Leap remains technically complete but would be more comfortable on a bobsled. Temperatures today were a couple of degrees above freezing, which has resulted in any untracked snow being damper, while still reassuringly soft if there is a need to take to the verge to slow down. Some of the secondary trails, such as Sheepfolds and Hedder Wye should offer friendlier conditions and they tend to hold the snow. Finally, there's still ample snow on the Range for skiing on the flat -- just take care between there and the road!

Alan, please arrange more snow...