A further update has been sent out 7pm Thurs 20th Feb, please check your emails.
All courses CANCELLED for Fri 21st, Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd Feb.
Courses for March 2025
The plan is to meet in the lower Cas car park (more information below) https://goo.gl/maps/kMas53wiNHDLn97t7 (more information below).
We will be aiming to arrive around 8am as it is expected that the car park will fill up. We will try to park at the far end of the car park next to the zip wire and wooden piste basher, below the tubing runs. Please look for the British Backcountry sign on the front of our vehicle. If you are running late or can’t find the car please call or text Gavin07919_103_066 or Blair07733_631_673.
If you need to borrow touring skis and skins please come to us at 8:30am with one boot and introduce yourself. Please remember we do not provide ski boots or ski poles as part of the rental. If you have your own skis then come ready to go at 9am. Please let your instructor know if you require a transceiver, shovel and probe. Please also let your instructor know if you don’t have ski crampons for your skis (ours come with them).
There is currently a 30min walk to and from the snow. This should be possible in your ski boots, however you may want to take some alternate footwear if your boots are not comfortable or you are worried about wearing out the soles. If you are unsure, please discuss with your instructor in the morning if your course.
Those on the Nav & Av or Mountaineering Skills course - you will meet Tom at the Ranger Base.
If the ski road is shut at the snow gates then we will meet at the car park just before the snow gates and make a new plan.
If you are arriving by bus, please let us know, as the bus arrives at 8:45am (we will get the equipment ready for you, just walk to the car park and find us).
We may choose to purchase ski touring passes to skip the first ascent. This gets us through the ski centre quickly and gives us more time and energy to enjoy more of the backcountry terrain. The cost would be ~ £12 and we would invoice you after the course. This will be discussed at the start of the day.
We are monitoring the snow conditions and weather forecast. The most useful forecasts are shared below.
Instructors for upcoming courses (later dates will be adding soon):
Course Venues:
Cairngorm Mountain lower Cas car park for when resort is busy (as you come into the main car park, the lower Cas car park is on your right hand side, down the small hill). If contractors are still using it, or if it is icy then we will meet in the upper car park. During the winter season you can provide a donation (you’ll find donation boxes around the car park and you can also donate in The Mountain Shop).https://goo.gl/maps/kMas53wiNHDLn97t7
Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre (aka Upper Cas Car Park) is used when the lower car park is not clear of snow or if it is shut. During the winter season you can provide a donation (you’ll find donation boxes around the car park and you can also donate in The Mountain Shop). https://goo.gl/maps/KoMPA6u55CfuweVy5
Cairngorm Mountain Ciste Car Park. This is the car park further down the ski road, on the hairpin turn. It is also used as an overnight campervan area. This car park is useful when the resort is busy and also when the wind is coming from the SW or W. https://maps.app.goo.gl/y8WnXVR8dNh2zrmm6?g_st=ic
Drumochter Car Park next to Balsporran Cottage on the A9 https://goo.gl/maps/EiRss8PsNVgJZfSx8
Glenfeshie car park near Achlean https://goo.gl/maps/1sxPnT7CYnwc7CYP9
Or we might use Allt Ruadh Car Park in Glenfeshie: Google Maps Link
Braeriach Bike and Ski Start Point The start point is the layby on the road opposite the Coylumbridge Hotel entrance. Limited parking is available so it may be better to park further down the road and cycle up, or cycle from Aviemore. The layby is here: https://goo.gl/maps/Dp7Q1NHU7EAbpk7C7 Blair will be cycling from Aviemore and will meet you there.
Useful Forecast:
Cairn Gorm Base Station Met Office
Cairn Gorm Summit Met Office
Northern Cairngorms MWIS
Northern Cairngorms SAIS
Gael Charn 917 Met Office
Webcams: