Cairngorm Mountain has opened for the new snowsports season

The new ski and snowboard season is under way at Cairngorm Mountain with the beginners zone opening today.

And bosses at the resort have said that snow is due to arrive later on with the freezing spell set to remain over the festive holidays.

Two lifts are currently in operation – the 100 metre long magic carpets – serving 200 metres of slopes created by the SnowFactory.

But there are hopes that the artificial snow will be supplemented by the real stuff in increasing quantities over the Christmas break.

Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd chief Susan Smith confirmed: "We are open for skiing on the beginner zone today.

"The slope is full with skiers and snowboarders.

"We expect natural snow later today and it’s staying cold over the next week, all of which augurs well for the surface lifts and tows to open."

There is around 200 metres of SnowFactory snow at the base of the mountain but only patches of natural snow at higher levels due to a rapid thaw over last weekend and these patches have now frozen hard.

Today's forecast for the base of the mountain is westerly winds 15 to 30mph with heavy snow showers at times.

Temperature are lowering from +1C to 0C during the day at the Base Station.

Snowsports season passes are now sold out.

Limited day passes may be available on the day from the resort's ticket office.

Snowbadger Magic Carpet one and two are the two uplifts in operation.

There had been good levels of snow at the top of the mountain earlier in the month under the recent mild spell arrived.

For the latest conditions and to book tickets visit https://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/

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