Ski centres were left out in the cold yesterday as the first flurries of snow descended on the north and north east.
Roads and mountains were left under a blanket of snow as the north experienced the first harsh conditions of the winter season so far.
As numerous hamlets lay beneath inches of snow, Glenshee Ski Centre were left disappointed after seeing less snow than previously expected.
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Kate Hunter, director and ski patrol manager said: “We haven’t had any snow until last night. We are still in the process of attempting to make man made snow to cover the beginner’s area.
“The roads have been very good, slippery but clear. We have more visitors than we normally get when the hills are brown. There isn’t even enough snow for sledging on. The hills are white with a bit of brow showing through.”
Meanwhile, the Lecht Activity Centre, which lies 2090 feet above sea level in the north east, was left unable to operate as a result of a lack of snow.
No lifts at the centre were functioning due to the conditions, with their snow factory working night and day to produce the level required.
As the north-east was battered by wintry conditions, Moray Council announced that the A939, the access road to the facility, has been closed in the morning as a result of drifting snow, with the road reopening around noon.
Speaking of the condition, a spokeswoman said: “It was the icy surface rather than the drifting snow that caused a problem with the roads. The drifting snow helped to fill in some of our ski runs but we still require a little more snow to be able to open the bigger runs. The snow factory and now the snow cannons are operating and are doing a great job improving the beginners area.”
Cairngorm Ski Resort saw a good spell of low temperatures yesterday for snowmaking yesterday, with temperatures reducing to around minus 3.4 Celsius.
A spokeswoman from the resort said a reduction in the wind alongside the additional snow fall had helped to attract ‘lots of children onto the snow to practice their turns and having fun.’
Meanwhile, Nevis Range was basking in the freezing temperatures as lots of snow covered the popular mountain Resort.
