http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk The latest gossip from the hill Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:19:42 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Blue Skys in the park snow is grooming up very nice got a little box out and hopefully have a small kicker in the morning ..                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2012/01/blue-skys/ Its been a long time coming Finally got all the rails dug out up at the summit.. [caption id="attachment_563" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="First rail of the season "][/caption] The team put in a good shovelling shift ..which let Chris and the new 300 get in and start to tidy things up .. got ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2012/01/first-rail-out/ [caption id="attachment_553" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Piste basher arriving in the carpark ..."][/caption] The new piste basher was finally unloaded at Nevis Range carpark yesterday, in the middle of blizzard like conditions in the car park, fitting for a PistenBully 300 Polar. Coming from a resort in Switzerland, via the the PistenBully ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2011/12/pb300-polar-arrives-at-nevis/ Well its dumping with snow outside, Friday seen the mountain take delivery of Chris’s new toy a 300 polar from the good people at Kassbohrer which will be keeping the park sweet all season. The runs are all filling in, and it just a matter of time now until the hill ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2011/12/park-team-get-deep/ [caption id="attachment_528" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="The goose bull wheel on the ground for bearing changing ..."][/caption] Over the summer the Engineering team have been busy carrying out lift maintenance on the hill. They've replaced the bearings on the Goose t bar return bull-wheel, which involved removing the haul rope and then lowering the ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2011/11/winter-maintenance/ Towards the end of last month some mates of the summit park @ Nevis were putting on a music dance night at a night club in Glasgow "Shaka” with a skate, snow, surf vibe, and thought it would be great to do a mini rail jam outside the club. The ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2011/11/zombies-jibbing-a-box-in-a-back-alley-filled-with-snow-in-november/ Hey Hey All, It’s that time of year again - the mountain bike tracks with gondola access are closed (although the miles of trails in the forest and the Pinemarten cafe bar are still open all year round) and the mountain is preparing for snow. The team headed up to the summit ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2011/11/491/ [gallery]The Engineers have been busy building new fencing on the hill ... A total of 1200 metres of fencing is either completely new, or has been re built. 900 metres of this fencing is brand new rail style fencing. This rail type of fencing is much cleaner as there's ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2011/11/new-rail-fencing/ Rough Riders Dave & Phil check out the Orange ........ http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/09/rough-riders/ [caption id="attachment_474" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Better view from here"][/caption]Well its pretty amazing to see what these folks can do with an engine under the seat ! Tracks now back in full swing with the RED having a nice smooth new bottom bit to let the arms relax ! and the orange as ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/06/trials-bikes-gone-gravity-re-instated/ Hi there- herse are a few pics of new bits on the orange track including the new Pinball section-created by Mark and Chris in their magic diggers-plus lots of helicopter drops and lots and lots and lots and lots of shovelling,raking and whacking (3 dead whacker plates later............)and still more..................to ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/05/so-long-pinball-hello-pinball-wizard/ See the big yellow diggers on the hill ? Their busy making nice new bits for yer bike ! http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/04/diggers-on-track/ At last the back corrie has benefited from westerly snow resulting in increased cover and great sliding. Chancers top has filled in and has lost it’s twisted drop in but remains reasonably friendly with a roll in, all be it steeper than previously. Soft snow avalanches were released and then ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/02/westerly-snow-improving-back-corrie/ [gallery]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 ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/01/back-corries-improved-but-still-not-patrolled/ [gallery]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 ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/01/back-corrie-update-mon-18-jan/ 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 ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/01/park-progress/ 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 ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2010/01/back-corrie-update-8-jan-2010/ We’re looking for a small group of folk to help us help our customers when we’re really busy. You’d work a few hours a day, a few days over the winter, at weekends and at holidays. If you’re willing to give up your sliding time to help people, and ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/12/sliding-help/ We've at last got the vouchers page live on the website. Its taken a bit of time to get to grips with PayPal and also to get the page design right!  But its live now.  We've used PayPal as the backend functionality as we think its pretty secure and it lets you ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/12/christmas-vouchers/   Two men and a dog have been busy on the pistes of Aonach Mor getting ready for the SNOW :)  Amidst  blue skies tropical sunshine and horizontal hail, on the same day we hasten to add, they've been fixing the existing fencing and building new fencing. [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"] http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/09/mor-fencing/ [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"] There's been a bit of filming going at Nevis recently and as it was a blue skies day yesterday, I took the opportunity to sneak up in the helichopper to take a couple of (hundred) pics.  For the skiers and snowboarders, there's a shot of the last remaining ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/09/aerial-pics/ The helicopter drops were a success, the red run has been smoothened out in places and will be smoothed further lower down, to make it a bit easier and flow beter which is awesome. The heli drops on the downhil track have also gone good some bits have been smoothed out ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/08/helicopters-jump-building-and-endurance-downhill/ Just finished putting down skips on the Red track to iron out a few problem sections.... Going for a cup of tea then to shovel, rake and whack everything into place.... Will get some before and after photos... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/track-builders-blog-6/ A fairly wet and windy day today @ Nevis Range saw a busy bike track team filling in many holes and water troughs in particular on sections between Avalanche and Tower 13.  Further down the track close to the first fire road crossing was also given some attention to flatten ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/track-builders-blog-5/ Track Closures... DH track will be closed on Thursday 30th July due to helicopter work.    Red Route will also be closed Thursday 30th July due to helicopter work.   A 50m section of DH track (from pinball to first big berm) will be closed Tuesday 4th August - Wednesday 5th August for major reconstruction. The rest of the ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/track-builders-blog-4/ New feature coming soon for the DH track.... Details and photos to follow in the near future.... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/track-building-blog/ The downhill track packed down nicely with the rain and the water troughs that formed with the heavy rain on tuesday/wednesday have been filled in and smoothed over and lots of the braking bumps were fixed this morning so the track is looking awesome. The red is roughening up a bit and ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/the-bike-tracks/ Check the new Nevis Range panorama. We've got the webcam up on the gable wall of the Snowgoose restaurant & bar and taking clever shots of the amazing views from the top station. We're now using some clever French software, from a company called Trinum, which also powers many of ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/french-dudes/ Both red and downhill tracks looking good, red has been busy since the opening, hearing lots of positive reviews! Some (welcome) rain this morning and afternoon will help to pack down the really dry and dusty corners. A successful NPS race at the weekend saw some fast riding on a ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/07/track-builders-blog-3/ Red Route Open! Perfect weather for the grand opening of Nevis Range Red Route.... Expect a full length helmet cam video before the end of the day. http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/track-builders-blogs/ The 'river has fully dried up today and the downhill track is running sweet, and really fast. All the sections which were badly damaged by the rain have been fixed up and the world cup woods reopened after being quite badly affected by the rain. the new woods section from ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/track-builders-blog-2/ We're almost back to normal at Nevis Range after the World Cup. For most folk, it lasts 2, or perhaps 3, days, plus of course the travel time. However, for the organisers, staff here at Nevis, and the volunteers, it seems to last forever! Not that we ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/world-cup-memories/ DH Track is slowly turning into a river today, may be open for kayaking in the near future... On a serious note, track is closed today due to very high winds and torrential rain... Red route has reached completion and will be open on Wednesday 24th, in the mean time ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/track-builders-blog/ The track has held up well after a weekend of world cup racing. The whole track including a section of the world cup woods is open and ready for riding. The Red Route is nearing completion and looking sweet. http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/track-update/ Almost the end of today, the day before the start of the World Cup 09 ... Today was (almost) a tropical day, with the odd sand storm and torrential shower, but just the one! Everyone's now on site, all the competitors, the techie area, the UCI dudes, the catering ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/208/ The Monster Ball of Steel arrived on site this afternoon. All the way from the US. Its exactly what it says it is, a ball of steel, cage like, about 4m in diameter. It's now set up in front of the Nevis office, so we already have ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/wicked-steel-ball/ If you're reading this, you've successfully managed to navigate to our new MTB website; thanks! Its been a tough ride, but with lots of riders suggestions and customer feedback, we hope it's almost there. It'll take a bit of time to get it fully up and running tho, ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/what-do-you-think/ Its getting kinda busy here at Nevis. The site is filling up with all sorts. First there's the volunteers, seems like hundreds of them ... but all looking terribly organised. Then there's the official-looking techie MTB course dudes, checking up and inspecting the DH and the 4X ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/world-cup-site-hotting-up/ If you've checked the webcam recently, you'll realise its at the base station. As you'd expect, there are 'technical' reasons why its no longer on the side of the Snowgoose restaurant at the top station ... However, its now in the main office and giving an unexpected glimpse ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/06/world-cup-show-on-the-road/ Work started on the downhill ealy April. The Nevis winter skiing & boarding season still underway and snow still on the ground, practically to the car park which sits at only 100m above sea level. Certain areas of the track were heavily damaged by the rain, and washed ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/05/downhill-workin/ [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"] There were plenty of folk about sessioning the park, with blue skies and plenty snow to build a few features it was a great day had by all. http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/04/sun-out-at-nevis-range-summit-park/ Fort William RC Primary school and Lochaber High School both had a great day on the mountain today despite some wilder weather this afternoon.  The group of snowboarders from the High School made it up onto the snow this morning and managed to get up on the drag lifts on ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/schools-out/ [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"] http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/more-summit-park-pics/ Hot blue skies park today  :) [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"] http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/sunshine-park/ At last, we have had a snowfall which put down serious amounts of packable snow on the summit runs which hopefully means a proper park can start to appear.  Up until now, the wind direction has stripped snow off the park area (depositing snow on the traverses) or else it ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/park-building-2/   If this is a bit late ... its because we were out partying last night.  The Fort William Mountain festival launched in style, with its opening party held at undoubtedly the most awesome venue in the Fort, the Snowgoose restaurant & bar at 650m on the slopes of Aonach Mor.  For those of you who haven't ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/party-up-a-mountain/ Folk have been asking about the status of the Back Corrie.  At present its closed as there is not enough snow, as well as an avalanche risk.  As soon as its open, we'll update the Ski report on the website at www.nevisrange.co.uk/winter/mountain/conditions.asp Ski Patrol http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/back-corrie-update/ The Nevis office were grumbling that we never give them any pics of Ski Patrol at work, so here's a pic from yesterday ... SKI PATROL :) http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/powder-pics/ With the recent snow dumps, we're beginning to start shifting snow around to build the park.  There's already a team of Nevis park junkies lined up to help with the shifting n shaping, but if you're not one of them and want to be, then call the office on 01397 705825.  The Nevis ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/park-building/ One of the main duties of Ski Patrol is to assess the hill for skiing each morning.  On a day like this its a real tough job, but somebody's got to do it!  Luckily, Nevis sits at 100m, so most mornings, access to the gondola base station is no problem.  Once ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/patrolling-powder/ There was at least 5-6 inches of fresh snow on the slopes last night, with some drifting.  The snow had fallen right down to the gondola base station, which lies at 100m above sea level, and the town of Fort William, which sits beside a sea loch, was snow covered ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/nevis-nightshift/ Most folk made it to work a wee bit late as several inches of snow had fallen in Lochaber, which is a sea level, and the driving was 'slow'.  The Aonach Mor access road hadn't been gritted at 7am, although it's now been gritted - and well used!  Being 'on duty' in ... http://blog.nevisrange.co.uk/2009/03/first-thing-at-nevis/