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Posts Tagged ‘skiing’

Sandy abseils into, then skis Jacobs Ladder in Coire an t-Sneachda Cairngorm

I always wanted to try skiing on Cairngorm Mountain, in the Cairngorms National Park, but was concerned by all the additional costs, such as ski passes, ski hire and all the clothes – not to mention going all the way to somewhere cold enough to try it. But this time it was different.

I had a friend from the United Kingdom, and, so we decided that the next time we would go together, it would be somewhere cold enough for snow! Scotland looked good in January, we  booked everything – and I was quite surprised at how little it costs us ….I found a ski resort, and spoke to a  very helpful person at the other end of the line. He told me that the tuition price includes all the essentials including free travel on the cable car, ski passes and of course a full day teaching and all the extras you could need if you hire them.He also advised that due to the temperamental weather, and on the booked date and there is no chance to ski, they move freely to lesson the next day. I do not know why I was so worried about all the extra costs – as so far, it does not seem to be all!

The property we chose was as close to the Cairngorm Mountains as we could get, and it turned out – the best place to be if you are an outdoor type. It was a center for all organizations would you expect up here, including Avalanche Research, mountain rescue and training. It was also a learning center for all interested in rock climbing, ice hiking, canoeing, river and sea, to name a few – and only by staying at the lodge, you had free access to their climbing wall, gym and pool during your stay.Anyway, on the first day we read the weather and avalanche information (!) For the mountain, had a hot breakfast and everything looked like it would be a good day for skiing. There was no snow on the lower parts of the mountains, but as we drove into the parking lot we could see heavy snow to the side! More and more excited we drove up to the equipment area.

The staff could not have more patient and helpful, as we were sent to collect on our boots, and were with some adjustments, fitted them, and then walk in them. Well, they take all the movement away from your lower leg, ankle and foot, so that we were limping alongon our heels.  We must have looked like real newbies to all the regulars – I can imagine they have a word for us when we look like a train, in a large group on the mountain.In the morning there was nice and slow, on a flat piece of snow, not too far up the mountain, with only 5 other beginners in our group. It was very strange to see no control over our own feet and not in a position to step out of them at any time, but it was not long before I stopped falling down. The boots completely support your body – I mean, you could sit right down, or right lean forward and touch the fronts of your skis, without tipping over. This increased my confidence no end, and I was really on the ski slope after about 20 minutes!It was then that I found I could not quite stop! I understood what the teacher told me to do, but my feet were not quite in control. It was very strange trying to tell my feet what to do, when they were doing something else.

We broke for lunch, with me having not yet mastered turning and stopping, and headed up the mountain, where we ate apparently in the highest restaurant in Scotland (). The afternoon session was right at the top of the mountain, and when we got there, you could not see beyond the end of your ski’s – it was a storm! We were all wrapped up safe and dry in all our clothes, with only our nose exposed to the weather. The fresh snow skis so much easier, we had our ski slalom poles and were all between 10-times better than this morning, and I finally mastered stopping. Phew!!  (I found it easier without the poles in my hands). All in all it was a great day. Now I can ski with confidence, I was not cold at all at any time, I did not get wet from all the falling down, I was not injured all, and saw a lot of snow!!

we’ve just booked to go skiing in scotland at cairngorm mountain in february 10th-15th, i just wanted to know whether the skiing there is good? is the snow good, is there plenty of it? were all the slopes open when you went? thanks.

we’ve just booked to go skiing in scotland at cairngorm mountain in february 10th-15th, i just wanted to know whether the skiing there is good? is the snow good, is there plenty of it? were all the slopes open when you went? thanks.