(Pic Credit Steven McKenna / Ski Scotland)
The snow which has caused logistical problems across much of Britain through the latter half of March has been more good news for Scottish ski areas enjoying one of their best winters of the past few decades.
This time last year all five centres had been closed for all or most of March with warm weather melting away and snow, this winter, reported to be the coldest for just over a century in the UK all five centres are fully open with top to bottom snow cover and have been for months now. There's also lots of fresh snow on top of the hard packed bases.
The latest weakening of the pound against the Euro is also making Scottish skiing rather more affordable against the Alps.
"Not only have the storms brought huge dumps of snow, but it's amazing quality for the time of year," said Heather Negus, Chair of Ski-Scotland,, "As far as we're concerned, there's no such thing as 'the wrong sort of snow' – we welcome it all! However, at this time of year, we'd expect spring snow, which is usually quite wet, but what all the ski areas are reporting is lovely soft fluffy snow and loads of fresh powder."
As this is Scotland, resorts were closed last weekend and at the start of this week at various times by gale force winds and snow blocking access roads, but the past 72 hours have been largely still, sunny and cold giving beautiful conditions, with a few flurries to freshen up cover.
There are also some special Easter events including half price at Nevis Range today for people wearing fancy dress on Good Friday, a charity "onesie" event at CairnGorm Mountain on Easter Saturday and fun events such as Easter egg hunts at Glencoe Mountain on Easter Sunday, 31st March. Later in the holidays, on 6th April, CairnGorm Mountain will also host the Vans New Big Air Competition.
As weather forecasts can change as quickly as the weather itself, Ski-Scotland recommends that everyone checks the latest snow, road and weather on the official website www.ski-scotland.com/conditions before setting out. It is useful to plan ahead and book ski and snowboard equipment and accommodation in advance, and the website also includes user-friendly information about this.
Up to and including last Sunday 24 March, the five mountain snowsports areas have recorded just under 179,000 'skier days'.