Nevis Range often receives questions about why we are not always able to open for snowsports, particularly when there appears to be snow visible on the mountain.
It’s a fair question — and one we understand.
The reality is that skiing at Nevis Range depends on more than just snowfall at higher elevations. To operate safely and effectively, we require continuous, skiable routes linking our lifts and runs, particularly on the lower sections of the mountain.
In recent years, and especially this season, we are increasingly seeing fragmented snow cover. While there may be good snow in isolated areas or higher up, the lower mountain — which connects the ski area and allows us to operate uplift — can be thin, broken, or completely melted out.
The images below illustrate this clearly.
From a distance, or in a well-framed photograph, conditions can look promising. However, the operational reality is very different when those connecting routes are no longer intact.
Even small increases in temperature can quickly break what limited links remain, particularly in spring conditions. This results in a situation where snow is present — but not in a way that allows for safe, continuous skiing.
In addition, preparing the mountain for operation is not something that can be done instantly. It requires time, resource, and the ability to maintain conditions for more than a very short window.
Our aim is always to operate when we can do so safely and properly, and we remain committed to making the most of the conditions when they allow.
