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