First snow on CairnGorm
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Autumn started officially on 22nd September … and, on the following day, CairnGorm Mountain had its first snowfall of the season. People arriving early in the morning in the Coire Cas car park were astonished to see several cars that had been left overnight covered in snow to a depth of three inches and to find the whole ski area, and surrounding hills, looking at their best with a light snow cover.
There may have been enough snow around in the morning for Marketing Executive, Fiona Milligan to build a snowman – albeit a pretty small one – for the benefit of the photographers but, not unexpectedly, the overnight snow had all gone by lunchtime except for some still lying at the very top of the mountain.
Nevertheless, the arrival of snow this early caused a flurry of excitement and the switchboard at CairnGorm Mountain was inundated by callers asking if there was “enough snow for skiing” and the website received considerably more hits than usual on the day. It certainly provided a timely reminder to many that winter was approaching fast and, hopefully, there will be more snow and a much better winter than last year for Scotland’s skiing industry.
However, everyone at CairnGorm Mountain was treating this early snow with caution, recalling last year’s early activity when a serious snowfall in mid-October brought ten unexpected – but very welcome - days of terrific skiing conditions. Unfortunately, it had all disappeared by early November and the promise of a marvellous winter for winter sports enthusiasts disappeared along with it.
Commented Tania Adams, CairnGorm Mountain’s Marketing Manager:
“It was a bit of surprise to see snow this early but not totally novel as it has happened in the past. It means nothing at all other than to focus people’s minds on winter after what has been an outstanding summer. Seeing the area covered in snow always makes it look particularly and that was reflected in the increased number of visitors that we had day, all wanting to travel to the top on the funicular and enjoy the spectacular views of Glen More and the surrounding mountains.”
ends
Photograph courtesy of Peter Jolly.
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