ski-touring in the Cairngorm Hills



From cairngormhills.co.uk

Cairngorm and Ben Macdui

Cairngorm and Ben Macdui
OS map : 36
start : Cairngorm Ski Area Car Park.
gridref : NH990060
 Parking in the Coire Cas car park is recommended. If the ski area is busy the skiers will be directed to Coire na Ciste car park and will be bussed to Coire Cas.
hills: Cairngorm Ben Macdui
summary : Cairngorm Ski Car Park - Cairngorm - Ben Macdui - Cairngorm Ski Car Park
distance : 16.5km.
ascent : 810m.
descent : 0m.
time : 6hrs. 50mins.
Snow over to Ben Macdui from Cairngorm.

Snow over to Ben Macdui from Cairngorm.

© cairngormhills.co.uk

Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in the UK is situated in a remote position in the middle of the Cairngorm plateau. Despite this, on any day with good conditions many skiers are found leaving Cairngorm and making towards Ben Macdui.

There are many routes from Caire 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 NE 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 Ptarmigan restaurant. The route now follows the fence around to the top of the ski area to the top of the Ptarmigan ski tow. From here head S to the summit of Cairngorm. (3km. 640m. 0m. 2hr.30min)

The route from the summit of Cairngorm to Ben Macdui goes along the southern coires which hold snow well into the season. Initially descend SW from the Cairngorm summit, steeply at first into Coire Raibert. From there ascend the ridge and descent to Coire Domhain. The route now goes on towards Lochan Buidhe. There are many routes from to this location and on a day with clear visibility the whole area seems to be covered with parties making different routes over this area. Skiers should keep keep above the small hillock at NN982020 thus avoiding the steep ground dropping away into the head of Loch Avon. From Lochan Buidhe the route to Ben Macdui is straightforward, over the north summit and along the ridge to the main summit. (6km. 170m. 0m. 2hr.10min)

The return from Ben Macdui to the Cairngorm ski area car park is a delightful ski run. The route sets off N towards Lochan Buidhe and then without losing any unnecessary height NW to the top 1083. The route continues to descend NE to the bealach at the top of Lurcher's Gully and then down the gully itself. Towards the bottom of the gully the skier should strike right over the moorland to get back to the Coire Cas car park. (7.5km. 0m. 0m. 2hr.10min)