Welsh Skiing - Dec 2012
Thursday, December 22. 2011
Inspired by my 'Shropshire Skiing' on Friday afternoon I was minded to see how conditions were in Wales for a trip the following day.
I'd already scoped our the Berwyns for possible skiing opportunities but in the end I was swayed by reports of 'powder' on the Breacons and Pen-y-fan.
Arriving in the car park off the A470 at around 11.30 I muck about trying to find a parking spot that I'd be able to exit from should the snow start to come down. Once sorted I kitted up and checked the OS map. The tops were in cloud, a shame as on the drive down the Breacon Beacons looked fantastic in the morning sun.
As luck would have it I bumped into Mike from the Snowheads forum and he kindly offered to walk up again. He'd been to the top for an hour waiting for the weather to clear with no luck. As we headed up the snow started to fall and the wind increase. By the time we hit the 600m level it was howling a blizzard.
With the weather closing in and visibility reducing we decided that hiking to the top wasn't going to be very rewarding, so we kitted up for an easy slide back to the car park. By this time the path had filled in but the tufty grass was poking through in places. Mike lead the way cutting high across the slope, down the valley to get a more direct run to the bridge.
This was very different kind of skiing, requiring patience and softness with the ski's. Push too hard and you break through into the grass and muck causing the ski's to slow rapidly, but choose an good line, avoid the odd rock and don't rush things its all good.
It's a shame the Breacons were not more welcoming as there is definitely potential. Fingers crossed for a Blue Sky powder day next time...
The Snowheads forum thread for all who wish to get involved is here
I'd already scoped our the Berwyns for possible skiing opportunities but in the end I was swayed by reports of 'powder' on the Breacons and Pen-y-fan.
Arriving in the car park off the A470 at around 11.30 I muck about trying to find a parking spot that I'd be able to exit from should the snow start to come down. Once sorted I kitted up and checked the OS map. The tops were in cloud, a shame as on the drive down the Breacon Beacons looked fantastic in the morning sun.
Breacons in the snow, looking towards the A470 car park during a rare sunny interval !
As luck would have it I bumped into Mike from the Snowheads forum and he kindly offered to walk up again. He'd been to the top for an hour waiting for the weather to clear with no luck. As we headed up the snow started to fall and the wind increase. By the time we hit the 600m level it was howling a blizzard.
David in the Breacons, Dec 2011
With the weather closing in and visibility reducing we decided that hiking to the top wasn't going to be very rewarding, so we kitted up for an easy slide back to the car park. By this time the path had filled in but the tufty grass was poking through in places. Mike lead the way cutting high across the slope, down the valley to get a more direct run to the bridge.
This was very different kind of skiing, requiring patience and softness with the ski's. Push too hard and you break through into the grass and muck causing the ski's to slow rapidly, but choose an good line, avoid the odd rock and don't rush things its all good.
"Mike Pow" a purveyor of the finest Welsh Skiing and my guide in the Breacons.
It's a shame the Breacons were not more welcoming as there is definitely potential. Fingers crossed for a Blue Sky powder day next time...
The Snowheads forum thread for all who wish to get involved is here
Shropshire Skiing - December 2012
Thursday, December 22. 2011
I finally managed to score some Shropshire skiing for 2011, and my first Welsh skiing the very next day.
Last Friday dawned murky in the village but a glance over to The Wrekin showed lots of white on the top, so a early Friday finish seemed a good idea. By the time I loaded the car it was snowing hard, and it got heavier as I drove over.
In the car park I hooked up with Nicholas, a skier from our local slope who was out for a walk, and we hiked up together with the dogs.
The hill was looking very Wintry above the half way house but the cover was quite soft as had yet to be 'pisted' by the passing walkers. Discretion was the order of the day and I decided to ski the grassy pitch from Heaven's Gate to Hell's Gate. It was probably only 75 meters or so but it was nice to have snow under skis again.
I had a second attempt just below Hell's gate but the cover was thin and the grunching noise off putting !
All in all a pleasant walk up. Fingers crossed for more snow this coming Winter.
Last Friday dawned murky in the village but a glance over to The Wrekin showed lots of white on the top, so a early Friday finish seemed a good idea. By the time I loaded the car it was snowing hard, and it got heavier as I drove over.
In the car park I hooked up with Nicholas, a skier from our local slope who was out for a walk, and we hiked up together with the dogs.
A good covering
The hill was looking very Wintry above the half way house but the cover was quite soft as had yet to be 'pisted' by the passing walkers. Discretion was the order of the day and I decided to ski the grassy pitch from Heaven's Gate to Hell's Gate. It was probably only 75 meters or so but it was nice to have snow under skis again.
Skiing below Heavens Gate
I had a second attempt just below Hell's gate but the cover was thin and the grunching noise off putting !
All in all a pleasant walk up. Fingers crossed for more snow this coming Winter.
