Storm bound
30th January 2026
Gale to storm force South-East winds with heavy drifting and poor visibility above 500 metres, due to this the hill was storm bound as drifts became deeper covering the ski road. From the snow gates it’s difficult to imagine how this can be, but once above the sugar bowl car park there is a dramatic change. South-East winds will continue tomorrow but these are expected to ease. See progress report below of the ever changing conditions at different altitudes.
Heading up the old ski road at 495 metres. Just above this level windslab was beginning to build in lee areas.
525 metres.
530 metres.
Walking alongside the descent link road at 555 metres, it started to get very windy just above this point and the recently ploughed road was once again buried with drifted snow, looking up the ski road from here the visibility ahead was about 10 metres. Keeping off the road at this point was a safe option to avoid road activity from an oncoming plough.
Back at 495 metres, with trees becoming plastered in windslab.
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Richard Christie
30th January 2026 8:20 pm
Wow, these photos are fantastic. Kudos to the photographer. These glorious winter conditions are too much to resist, I’ve booked a trip back home to get to enjoy it myself.
ncairngormsadmin
31st January 2026 1:46 pm
Hi Richard
thanks for your complimentary words, less wild today but still very wintry in the Cairngorms. Enjoy!