T
CHOOSING YOUR SKIS
Alison Culshaw, who runs offpiste.
org.uk, says: “give careful consideration to the width of ski that you use. I prefer something narrower than I use in the Alps, around 85mm underfoot, far better suited to the Scottish snow conditions, because you don’t get that much deep powder so no need for the flotation. Also look for a shorter turn radius. Edges get priority over flotation.”
R Ross Dunn skis Summit Gully on Aonach Mor.
THE FUTURE?
We don’t know what the future holds for our storm-battered little island, where, as elsewhere, the weather is becoming increasingly erratic. Is Scottish skiing entering its twilight years? Should we savour it while we can? Whatever’s on the horizon thinking about how resourceful, forward- thinking, psyched and inclusive the Scottish skiing scene has been since the start, I’m inspired. This coming winter, I’ll be more excited than ever about the first British snows: watching the weather over Scotland, poring over Kenny’s guidebooks and planning when to head north for a weather snatch. And if the weather gets a bit challenging ... then I’ve decided you’ll find me at home, happily watching another film from underneath my southern duvet.
READ MORE Want more info – knock yourself out:
www.steepscotland.com Scott Muir’s authoritative website
Words: Sarah Stirling
Sarah Stirling is a freelance journalist and Summit assistant editor.
@sarahstirling
www.british-backcountry.com Blair Aitken offers Scottish ski touring courses
www.offpiste.org.uk
Courses in Scotland as well as the Alps and Norway
www.britishfreeride.co.uk
Not-for-profit founded by Robert Kingsland, which aims to develop British freeriding
www.lonelymountain.ski Boutique ski-maker based in Dunkeld
www.haggistrap.co.uk
“LAST WINTER I SKIED SCALD LAW IN THE PENTLAND HILLS BACK TO THE A702 IN MY SUIT TROUSERS AND SHIRT, AFTER NOTICING ON THE WAY TO WORK HOW GOOD IT LOOKED.” - BLAIR AITKEN
36 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
Doug Bryce’s enthusiastic blog about Scottish skiing
www.digilbert.co.uk
Ski mountaineering courses and private guiding
www.rosshewitt.net
Aspirant mountain guide and big-mountain skier from Scotland
www.facebook.com/groups/snowpatchesscotland A rather niche hobby
Myrtle Simpson’s ‘Skisters’ The definitive history of Scottish skiing
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PHOTO: ROB GREW.
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