Cairngorm riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

With no trees or bowls, thrills can be very limited on Cairngorm mountain. But if you go with the attitude that some snow is better than no snow, then, if cover is good, you can often avoid the crowds and get some fresh tracks and natural kickers if you head up the Funicular and over Coire na Ciste. Alternatively, the Fiacaill Ridge can offer a brief thrill if cover is good and winds are low.

View from West Wall
Photo: Lindsey Towers

Freestylers

Freestylers who like to go big off natural hits, forget it. However, if you dont mind queing, there is the VANs terrain park in the Ptarmigan bowl with reasonable sized kickers and a variety of rails and boxes for all abilities. When snow permits there is also a half pipe which is used for local competitions. If the wait gets too much on the Ptarmigan T-bar, you can sometimes find some natural hits down the Cas or Fiacaill Ridge.

Dawn of the shred 2010 Cairngorm
Photo: Cairngorm resort

Pistes

Alpine paradise it is not. Keen carvers will not exactly feel thigh burn cruising the slopes here. If the winds are high (and they often are) runs can be scoured and icy, but if there has been some fresh snow and cover is good, the ride from top to bottom will take about 10 (enjoyable) minutes out of your day. Offers good practice for negotiating varied surface conditions!

Looking up to West Wall
Photo: Lindsey Towers

Beginners

With the introduction of the Funicular railway beginners can now ride from top to bottom (conditions permitting) without having to master a drag lift. The Ptarmigan does offer a wide space with a forgiving gradient and the Ptarmigan and Coire na Ciste T-bar's are a good starting point to master the drag lifts - but be prepared to queue! However, if winds are high and surface conditions scoured then be reassured by the fact that if you can learn to ride here, you can ride just about anything!

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 12
Cable cars: 0
Gondolas: 0
Chair lifts: 0
Drag lifts: 11
Other lifts: 1 Funicular Train
Max people per hour: 12,000
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 28
Total ride area: 30km
Longest run: 1.8miles (2.9km)

Top lift: 1080m
Vertical drop: 530m
First lift: 550m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 34%
Red runs: 62%
Black runs: 4%

Lift Passes

	Low Season			High Season
	GBP	GBP	Average	GBP	GBP	Average
Day Pass	29.00	29.00	-6%	29.00	29.00	-15%

	GBP	GBP	Average
Season Pass:	250.00	250.00	-47%

Lift Passes:
Half day £20
Student £22
1 Day pass £29
7 Days pass £146
Season £250
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 0metres
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 0%

Facilities

	GBP	GBP
Days Rental of Board & Boots:	20.00	20.00

Snowboard Schools: Group lessons £35/day (4hrs), half-day £31
Full day including 4hrs tuition, pass & rental £60
Private £135 for full day, £75 for half
Snowboard Hire: 1 day £20 for boots and board, £31.50 for boots, board and clothing
3 days £51
Night Riding: : No

Other activities

Heliboarding: : Not available
Snowmobiles: Not available

Further information

www.cairngormmountain.co.uk
Email:info@cairngormmountain.org

On a good day with full cover, Cairngorms can be a great days boarding - but don't expect alpine conditions and take your old rock-hopper if you value your base and edges! It can get extremely busy at the weekends.

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ON THE SLOPES: take a packed lunch!
OFF THE SLOPES: shop around
MONEY WISE: Bring your own supplies if you want value for money!

HALFPIPE: No
TERRAIN PARK: Yes - 1 - weather dependant
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:None
TREE RUNS:No

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