Nevis Range Blog

Freeze … thaw … and now colder temperatures bringing fresh snow have left the back corrie with mixed conditions today (29 Jan 2010). Wind blown, hard and icy on some aspects and others sliding great on fresh soft snow. Around the whole corrie soft cornices have formed that were readily collapsing with the weight of someone sliding past. The Nid Ridge itself remaining mainly scoured, firm but grippy. Chancers continues to have the best slide, but still with some rocks, with a steeper but still twisting rounded entrance. Rocks continue to make Back Track and Yellowbelly less attractive options. The traverse out can be achieved without walking but is still very rocky. Rob Roys traverse is complete back to Alpha Tow and the top station though slightly narrower from thawing conditions.

In summary the back has improved over the last few days with mixed conditions. It has some good sliding for those suitably experienced and equipped but is likely to remain Not Patrolled and therefore at your own risk.

Check the website for more info on the Back Corries, including definitions of the 3 status … Open, Closed, or Not Patrolled.

SKI PATROL

The recent freeze, thaw, fresh and wind blown snow deposits have resulted in little change generally in the back. Cover remains limited with lots of rocks mainly below Yellow Belly and Back Track entrances. Chancer’s is complete and remains the best ski within the corrie on soft snow, still with a friendly twisting roll in and limited rocks. Winger’s has less cover and no obvious skiable run though Cascade is improved and looks like a more viable option. Traversing out is certainly possible on a higher line though rocks are easily found and may require some walking to pass. The end of the Nid Ridge has better cover making access to Rob Roy’s Return easier.

The corrie remains beyond the limit of patroller area but has some good sliding for experienced and equipped off piste skiers happy to take responsibility for themselves.

Work in the park began on Boxing Day as we started pushing snow from the Aonach Mor summit down to the Spectre run. This area in the past has been the location for the very large kickers. It takes weeks of pushing snow to build it up, but it’s getting there.

The main terrain park area by then had a very good filling of snow, benefiting from the improved fencing from the summer. We set the first of the rails up (jump on box) at the same time as the smallish kicker on the 7th, quickly followed by the rookie rail. The double “C” was set up next half way down the park, but many be repositioned. The rainbow box had to go down to the garage for some TLC but was quickly back up and in position in the park a few days later.

The remaining rails will be set up soon once we get some settled weather, along with one or two other new features. The dog box is to get new sheeting and will be a couple of weeks yet.

Also, we are currently developing a new addition to the park, which many of you have been asking for … watch this space

CHRIS

The Back Corrie has some great sliding though still has limited cover. The Corrie has yet to benefit from prevailing westerly weather, less snow having fallen from the north and east which has provided masses else where. Chancers has the best cover to Braveheart tow, a twisting roll in entrance and consistent sliding. Localised instabilities have today been identified in the snow pack with soft snow on an icy base. Rocks remain either visible or just below the soft snow surface. The traverse out is complete on the right line up to the end of the Nid Ridge where it becomes impossibly rocky and icy to slide. Realistically a walk of about 200 metres is required to get to the top of Rob Roy’s Return from Pinball Alley where a complete traverse back to Alpha Tow is possible on the upside of the fence.

Formally the back corrie is NOT PATROLLED (at own risk) however for advanced skiers, with back country experience and suitably equipped, offers some early season potential.