Explosives used for first time at Cairngorm
Wednesday March 3, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

Explosives are used widely in the Alps to set off avalanches in order to make the slopes safe for skiers and snowboarders.

The dull thud of explosives being detonated is a familiar sound after a snowfall.  It means the resort can open the resort runs quickly for holidaymakers rather than waiting for nature to take its course. 

That can take a few days as the fluctuating temperature helps solidify the snowpack.

However as far as we are aware at PlanetSKI explosives have never been used in Cairngorm or indeed any other resort in Scotland. We are double checking at the moment.

2 experts were called in to deal with the unprecedented levels of snow that have fallen.

At least parts are openSee this related story for the huge digging out operation that is currently going on in Scotland.

"After blasting various areas today we are confident that the main ski area is pretty safe, however off piste outside the main area there is probably still a risk, we advise people not to ski alone and to check the forecast and current conditions," says a statement from the resort.

The ski patrol is advising people that there is a high risk of avalanche on the east wall of The White Lady and above the home road towards the Day Lodge.

One of the regions of the resort blasted was the Ciore Cas area.

There have been a number of fatal avalanche in Scotland this winter involving climbers and last week 2 people had a lucky escape in the ski resort of Glencoe.

Cove covers upThe PlanetSKI content editor, James Cove, is in Scotland for the next few days reporting on the staggering winter the area has had and what it means for Scottish skiing. Overnight it is down to -15c in places.

See the photos of the week on the home page for a few pictures he took as he arrived on Wednesday afternoon as the sun went down.

"I've skied in over 250 different resorts across the world but never, to my regret, have I skied in Scotland," Cove says. "I am looking forward to putting that to rights, though I am not sure if I will be putting on a kilt on Saturday!"

On Saturday the resort of Cairngorm is trying to set a record for the most people skiing at any one time in a kilt.

The resort is aiming for 400.

Let's hope it is not too cold for those that do.

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