lots of snow in scotland and third in skimo race

Its back to Scottish skiing for me. There is lots of snow on the west coast of scotland. At nevis range the goose gully is full and provides excellant skiing, the picture is of 2 days ago while the lift was being repaired and skinned up and had the decscent to ourselves. The lift is now open with summit to follow. When the snow stabalises and avalanche risk lowers there should be loads of snow in the back corries.There is also good snow cover on most hills down to about 550m so plenty of scope for touring, just some carefull route choice will be required. On the 28th i paid a visit to the lecht for the skimo race. There is less snow the further east you go but there was enough for a race. After a month of dowhill racing the uphill was hard work but i was pleased to finish third behind Ruthie Blackshaw and Elidh Wardlaw, Ben Tibbetts won the mens race. Thanks to Mountain spirit for some great prizes and to odlo for a suprise spot prize.

Anyone can ski fast….

….but not everyone can ski fast and in control. And what a huge difference that is! Gillian is still incommunicado, this time by dint of being in overseas territory, that is in Hintertux: Austrian Tyrol. I'm at home in the West Highlands in the damp December gloom; a far cry from the pictures below. In fairness Scotland has had it's fair share of glory for late Autumn, with good skiing and climbing action produced already, and if my gut feeling suggests anything it's that were shivering up for another decent winter.

The whole point of Hintertux for Gill is training for The Speed Test, aka The Eurotest: the ability to ski a Giant Slalom course within a given percentage of what is typically a World Cup time. This a component part of any nations top level ski qualification where a permission to work in France is included; so, if you want to just "teach supermodels to snowplough" in Meribel you have to effectively be a GS racer? Well, yes. That is the French way for gaining sporting qualifications. Regardless of the work you're ultimately likely to be doing, a very high degree of personal competence is required. Fair enough, what else would one expect, I hear most people think. But many think the French take it to extreme. There have been appeals to the EU, court cases and even arrests for working illegally. Undoubtedly there is an element of industry protectionism involved, but actually I think it's reasonable. To work in France that is what they demand, it may be frustrating for non-racers, but in the end does it not make for a better professional?

(Point of note: Gillian may think differently).

For all the Eurotestees out there this winter: good luck and good speed!

Early season snow is plentiful this year, right across the Alps.

So, anyone can ski fast eh?…. For anyone with a modicum of ability that's probably true. Last week whilst visiting Gill I demonstrated this in spectacular fashion; trying to emulate long, fast GS turns on touring skis that weigh about 900 grammes each. I think I must have been travelling at, I don't know…oooh…..at least 150mph. Anyway, my speed outstripped my equipment and my ability and so I crashed and broke my back. And my thumb it seems. A moment of gleeful showing off, revved up by blue sky and chase instinct. So no work, climbing or otherwise until after the New Year at least. Could have been worse.

Scotland's been thawed and washed out a bit since the last post, nothing unusual for this time of year. There's still snow and bits of ice in the high gullies I believe, so we have a bit of a foundation for climbing conditions when the next weather arrives.

Here's a nice link to a Scotsman piece on the early days of Scottish skiing, with an excellent wee video that's well worth watching.

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/beinn-ghlas-the-birthplace-of-competitive-scottish-skiing-1-3212988

In other news, the second annual SkiMo Race series starts at the Lecht on 28 December for ski mountaineering racing fun. It strikes me that if you're a hill runner with heavy or lightweight equipment then you'll probably do well at this. To enter go here:

It's very fun and inclusive so if you feel it, give it a bash. Obviously I'm off games.

All the best for now,
yours etc,
M.Fuzz.

The best Scottish autumn ski conditions in years...?

...Yes I think so! Poor Gillian has a streaming cold at the moment so she couldn't go out, which was a shame as this was Scottish skiing at it's early best. I was pleased to discover that despite being a climber first and skier second I could still ski a gully on my first day of the season without wiping out.

Unfortunately it's all temporary and as I write this it's being rinsed out by positive temperatures and filthy drizzle. Looking on the bright side the snow was impressively consolidated, so hopefully a good bit should remain to base the next deposit, which may arrive this week. Perhaps a good set up for winter, but who knows? The long term forecast suggests a pretty average, changeable pattern into December.

If like myself you're a mountaineer and self taught skier, or not a skier at all (Mssrs JB & AH), then maybe we should have a think. Until recently Brit mountaineers were notorious for being crap skiers. This, I think, has changed a bit with some pretty strong performers around these days, but still we're eclipsed by the Euros and their awesome prowess. Is all-mountain skiing not part of the composite mountaineer? I think so. Aside from measuring ourselves against our Alpine neighbours, if you're a winter enthusiast and don't ski, you're missing a trick. It's an amazing and efficient way to travel in snow and guaranteed to make you smile. On the other hand it's really hard to learn, especially when older, so getting help is advisable. That's a hint, by the way. Book some training with Gill for Scottish skiing, or Alison if in Chamonix.

The Aonach Mor plateau.

 South Westwards to the Mamores.

 Ben Nevis, heavily laden.

Kenny Biggin shredding in the back corrie.

Posted by Rich, 11 Nov.

Ski Performance Scotland courses available for booking

Ski performance scotland courses run through off piste performance are available for booking. http://www.offpiste.org.uk/courses/ski-performance-scotland/

Dates are:
Jan 8/9
Feb 11/12
Mar 8/9

getting colder

Its due to get colder at the end of the week, no snow yet but will update as soon as there is.