This thread has inspired me to check out Clashindarroch during a planned visit to the Lecht next month.

Does anyone reading this have to sell or lend (for last week Feb) a XC-ski conversion kit set for the Thule Chariot kiddie trailer?

Alan, I don't know how you achieved it, but we did get a topping-up of snow yesterday evening! There's a heavy demand for skills like that...

Deibitto, welcome to this thread -- hopefully someone can help with your enquiry. You won't be the only one on the trails with small person in tow. Hope it gets sorted and you enjoy your visit. Late February and early March are statistically the best for Clashindarroch skiing.

The trails were topped up on Monday evening by 1 centimetre of new snow, which has made all the difference -- putting a coat of friendly matt over the hard gloss base -- enabling a reasonable degree of control except where the new layer itself is getting worn away, revealing the polished surface beneath. Tuesday was another sunny day with temperatures below freezing throughout, keeping the snow in good condition, and the forecast suggests much the same for Wednesday and Thursday. A reminder, though, that there are some thin stretches to look out for almost anywhere on the main trails. The top part of Telemark Twist and the steep descent at the start of Normans Way are the perennial problem spots. Meanwhile, the Range is in ideal condition for learning on the flat. 

Today the Main Drag was getting scratchy, due to wear and tear, but there was plenty of skiing available, and the Range stayed fully covered. After a whole week of stable conditions the forecast is for a changeable spell, with thaw (a very brief one), snow and wind all in prospect. This makes prospects for the weekend unpredictable, but veering on the snowy side with some boisterous weather. The last week in January usually brings in the snow, while statistically February and early March produce the best skiing at Clashindarroch. So there is much to look forward to.

Mrs RWG and myself are planning on a trip to the Clash and hopefully be able to arrange some lessons/ hire at the centre. Will we upset anyone if we stay over in our Motorhome? Considerate wild campers are us. The more remote the better.

Hi RWG -- Welcome to this thread. I've sent you a PM.

RWG, I'm not sure if you were asking if you could park up your motorhome by the Clash ski trails or were looking to stay elsewhere.

There is a campsite in Huntly.

If you want to "wild" park then you shouldn't have too many problems finding somewhere.



Edited 2 times. Last edit at 02.16hrs Fri 25 Jan 19 by Peter Thorn.

Thanks Timberline. Ended up seeing Thule have slashed their prices for the ski conversion kit so just plumped for buying a new one. Fingers crossed on snow now.

The temperature rose abruptly overnight, as forecast, resulting in some loss of snow -- to the extent that the thin stretches have become noticeably longer -- but surviving lengths of worthwhile skiing could still be found today. Range Way had become as much green as white, but the Range itself retained its full cover. Detailed trail reports for today are probably irrelevant in view of the forecast. Generally, although thin, the base was well frozen until Thursday night, likewise the ground underneath, so there is a fair chance that much of this will last to give a foundation for the next snowfall. There's a lot of precipitation forecast for the weekend, turning to snow, so although conditions could be unpleasant, there will hopefully be something to be thankful for in due course. This should also mean a good dump of snow on the open hill.

As expected, there's been a further loss of snow, and the overnight rain and drizzle has made the car park icy underfoot. For the record, the Range was still skiable although heather stems were beginning to poke through. Today the trails were stippled with bare spots, but the good news is that there was still generally a clingfilm cover of thin ice and soft old snow. If the forecast is fulfilled, this should freeze into a residual base tonight and be covered with a good few inches of fresh snowfall. Although Sunday may be a bit too wild for comfort, when everything settles down we should be looking at more settled freezing conditions during the week.

Thanks for update Timberline
Hoping for snow up there tonight, plan to head up there tomorrow

Some 3-7cm of fresh snow had arrived by lunchtime today on the lower trails, probably more on the Haute Route. Overhead conditions were less than pleasant, with prolonged spells of wet snow driven on a strong wind. Underfoot, the new snow was not sticky and gave steady but slow skiing. There had been enough to smooth out the scratchy bits on the Main Drag, although on the thinnest stretches the depth was markedly less than the general 3cm. About 50m at the start of Normans Way was unskiable as it was not getting the snow due to tree canopy and wind direction. The A941 from Rhynie had a covering of slush and wet snow from Belhinnie westwards. Skiing this weekend would not have been everyone's cup of tea, but the outlook is pretty good. The new snow should freeze and augment the existing residual base, while more fresh snowfall is forecast before the weather settles down on Monday.

Thanks for the update in Rhynie Timberline, I wasn’t convinced my trip to clash was worth it until we met.
The snow on Huate route was dry when I skied around and at or below freezing, Icicles forming on trees.
Glad I went out skiing and Jet the lab enjoyed a scamper around with me.

I may have the opportunity through a work visit to Huntly to ski at Clashindarroch on Monday or Tuesday, looking forward to it. I have consulted the FC and British Nordic websites for map & routes - any advice for a mere novice with plenty of enthusiasm would be greatly appreciated? Thank you.

Hi Nicko -- hope you do make it to Huntly as the conditions this week look ideal for discovering Clashindarroch. You can hire equipment at the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre (HNOC) -- [www.huntlynordicandoutdoorcentre.com] They are open M, Tu and F 9-4, weekends 9-5. Allow 45 minutes from there to Clashindarroch (more than that just now because of road conditions). HNOC itself has short trails on plastic (and probably snow today).

At Clashindarroch you'll find a large car park, map boards at trail junctions, and there are usually other skiers around. From the entrance, Biathlon Way leads to the Range -- a wide flat area with a couple of ramps for downhill practice. A good introductory tour is up Range Way, left along Classic Start, right along Cabrach Corner, right along Wildcat or Leids Leap (they're parallel routes), right on Deer Track, left along Classic Start, and right along Biathlon Way back to the start. Deer Track offers an enjoyable downhill --not as alarming as some of the others!

Sunglasses or ski goggles are recommended, and a useful item in the car is a small handbrush for clearing snow off your gear at the end of the day.

Snow conditions should be really good today --not too windy, and temperatures will be below freezing keeping the fresh snow in good shape.

You can keep up to date with the latest conditions on this thread, and there's a facebook page: [www.facebook.com]





Edited 2 times. Last edit at 07.51hrs Mon 28 Jan 19 by Timberline.