Cairngorm & Northern Coires

Perhaps the most popular ski touring route in Scotland. Starting from the Cairngorm ski area car park the skier makes their way to the summit of Cairngorm on the edge of the vaste Cairngorm plateau. This short tour skirts the edges of the northern coires before descending Lurchers Gully to return to the start. A fantastic ski tour especially in clear weather with excellent views south over the plateau. Care must be taken around the rim of the coires in poor visibility.

There are many routes from Coire Cas to the summit of Cairngorm. All of them go through the ski development. It is good manners, and safer, to keep to the side of the piste alongside the snow fence, whilst skinning uphill. From the Daylodge go north east along the line of the DayLodge Poma to the ridge of Sron an Aonach. When the ridge is reached, follow the line of the M2 piste along the top of the ridge to the restaurant. The route now follows the outside of the fence line to the top of the Ptarmigan ski tow. From here head south to the summit of Cairngorm via the marquis well.(3.0km. 600m. 0m. 2hr.30min)

From the summit of Cairngorm, ski south west down the steep slopes to descent into Coire Raibert keeping to the higher area of the coire. Take care not to descent too much. Now climb west to reach the rim of Coire an t-Sneachda and follow this rim around to reach the high point. Descend into Coire Domhain and then ascend to Cairn Lochan. Ski over the flat plateau in a south westerly direction and then descend steeper slopes in a north westerly direction, over the first plateau to the head of Lurchers Gully. Descend the gully with style, for you can guarantee there will be others there. Do not descent too far and break out north east to follow the line of the path back to the car park.(8.0km. 200m. 750m. 2hr.50min)

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