Forget the Alps, head to the Highlands: Scotland enjoys ideal skiing conditions

Recent heavy snowfalls in Scotland have seen a spate of skiers rush to the slopes, while some of Europe’s famous mountain ranges turn to mud and mud after unseasonably warm weather.

Families enjoyed a day on the snow covered slopes of the Lecht Ski Center in Strathdon in the Cairngorms, Scottish Highlands, after a cold snap during the festive season.

This is in stark contrast to Europe’s alpine resorts, which experienced record-breaking temperatures over the New Year and are threatening to cancel this year’s ski season.

Recent heavy snowfalls in Scotland have seen a flood of skiers rush to the slopes

A skier enjoying the slopes in pristine conditions in the Scottish Highlands

People were out on the slopes as ski season started in Scotland

A snowboarder on fresh snow in the Scottish Highlands

Nigel Hake, Lecht Ski Center operations manager, said the slopes have been “very popular” with locals and holidaymakers who flocked to the resort in droves.

Weather conditions were good for skiing in Scotland yesterday

He said the recent cold snap has resulted in a “good natural layer of snow on the east side of the Cairngorms” which has “drawn people out”.

Most of the ski center’s slopes are completely covered with soft snow on Wednesday, with some icy patches.

Mr Hake added that the fact that there were no Covid-19 restrictions for the first time in three years was also a factor in this year’s popularity.

“People are trying to get out there and enjoy normality,” he said.

“During the Covid lockdown years we had some of the best snow in many years but people weren’t allowed to use it and were a little frustrated.

“People like to be on the road again.”

The Lecht ski center was packed with families on December 30th enjoying a day on the slopes

In contrast, a ski slope in Schruns, Austria, appeared remarkably bare on December 28 as Europe struggled with unseasonably warm weather

Heavy snowfall in Scotland has seen a flood of skiers rush to the slopes, while Europe’s famous mountain ranges turn to mud and mud after unseasonably warm weather.

Pictures show yesterday’s snowfall in Scotland, ideal for skiing

Skiers in Glencoe have been hitting the slopes for the past few days to make the most of the good conditions

Lee Hardy of Braemar Mountain Sports at Glenshee Ski Resort said conditions are good for this time of year.

He said: “We had a lot of snow two weeks ago and some of it has melted but there are currently seven runs open in Glenshee, the weather is kind and the snow is soft.

“We had some rain yesterday but temperatures are expected to drop again as more snow is forecast for the weekend so this will actually firm the snow and hopefully make the base firmer.

“There are some good conditions for ski touring especially on the back bowls and for families, the weather was good so the ski center was busy during the holiday season.”

A woman and her child enjoy a day out at the Lecht Ski Center in Strathdon in the Cairgorms during the festive season

The slopes of the Lecht ski center in the Scottish Highlands were packed with people

A woman and her young child enjoy a sleigh ride down the snow covered slopes of the Cairngorms

Nevis Range managing director Chris O’Brien said their sledding area welcomed 2,500 visitors over the Christmas and New Year period.

At the start of the ski season in Scotland, many slopes at the mountain resort were opened on Monday.

Despite overnight rain washing away some of the snow, further forecasts for later in the week indicated an upcoming ‘car’ weekend.

Mr O’Brien said some of the world’s leading sports equipment brands such as Commencal and Oakley had invested in the area to signal “the confidence in Scottish skiing and mountain biking in the Nevis Range”.

The Lecht ski center was packed with skiers enjoying a day on the slopes on December 30th

The Met Office recorded 8cm of snowfall at its station in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, on Sunday, with depth expected to be greater in the mountains.

However, climbers are advised to exercise caution outside the resorts after eight avalanches were recorded in the past 48 hours.

A 48-year-old climber died on the north face of Ben Nevis after an avalanche on New Year’s Day, while another man, 40, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, alpine ski resorts have fallen into crisis after half of the slopes in France were closed due to a winter heatwave in Europe.

January’s unprecedented “heat dome” has generated temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 Fahrenheit) from France to western Russia – with several temperature records being broken over the New Year’s weekend.

At least seven countries – including Denmark, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic – have experienced their warmest January weather on record, while the Swiss resort of Adelboden recorded temperatures as high as 6,500 feet above freezing.

Le Semnoz in France last week (left) and during a snowier period in 2018 (right)

Frustrated skiers have posted videos of themselves slaloming down narrow strips of ice flanked by grass and shared their anger at the lack of snow on the slopes, while some holidaymakers have demanded their refunds.

Patches of grass, rock and dirt could be seen at some of Europe’s ski hotspots – like Innsbruck in Austria, Villars-sur-Ollon and Lenggries in Germany.

Ski resorts at lower altitudes in France and Switzerland have been hardest hit by the warmer weather and heavy rain that has shattered snow-covered slopes. Austria and Italy have slightly more favorable conditions, but more snow is needed for skiing.

The thermal dome – which forms when an anticyclone stays over the same area and traps warm air underneath – has also prompted further warnings about climate change.

Villars-Sur-Ollon in Switzerland closed last week (left) due to lack of snow. Picture on the right: The season when there is more snow

Many resort bosses are currently in crisis talks over whether to stay open, with The Times reporting that others say the “heartbreaking” situation has forced them to close their slopes to skiers.

There are fears for the safety of guests as doctors say the conditions are now taking them the same number of ski fall victims as they did at Easter.

More than half of the resorts in France have closed, including at least ten in the French Pyrenees and many in the Isère region of the French Alps.

The Swiss resort of Spplugen-Tambo was the latest to close after the warmest New Year’s Day on record at some resorts in the country.

The resort of Adelboden recorded a temperature of 15 °C (59 °F).