Glencoe

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Day 9 of season 14/15. This is an early post as I’ve just arrived at Glencoe Mountain Resort. The drive up was one of the most sublime visual experiences ever. I’m so lucky to live where I do. Sunrise this morning, as I drove up the A82 was stunning, just stunning. Loch Lomond glowed, Ben Dorain rose out of the mist with a rosé tinge to its snow laden flanks. As I passed Loch Tulla I sank into this low fog bank only to rise out at Achallader with the sun illuminating all the slopes. The Black Mount was swarming with photographers, as usual. I hope at least one of them captures something original. I’m sure they all be beautiful images though.
On arrival at the ski hill, the carpark was being well organised. I was shown my spot and quickly changed. As I type this I’m about to head up the hill into a bright day. I’ll finish this later…

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… What a day. As I ascended up on the main access lift on to the plateau, the sun was illuminating the Spring Run and Flypaper as well as the beginners area. There was a bit of a queue for the access Poma so I walked up to the Cliffy for my first lift then over to the Wall t-bar. Once up in the Main Basin I couldn’t believe how good the snow was. Grippy and almost groomed (unusual for Main Basin). Some real groomer style runs, cranking it up on the edge, almost Euro carving! It was amazing.
I was up on my own, but made lots of conversation with lovely folk I shared the t-bars with (Including one friendly BBC Reporter!).
Happy valley was fabulous as you crossed over from Main Basin, then dropping into the Wall. Snow here was a bit more choppy but still great.
The sun was out most of the day with a high haze and flatter light coming in the afternoon. The wind stayed away with just the slightest of gusts not amounting to anything to speak of.
The lifts were very well managed and queues moved swiftly, especially after the Rannoch button got going. Snowboarders were not allowed on this lift, but it certainly helped take the strain.
The snow is holding up really well and the Ivey patches seem to have been groomed out.
Hopefully some fresh snow is on its way to top things up.
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