Following a welcome snowfall over the weekend, CairnGorm Mountain plan to open the Coire na Ciste ski tow for ski and snowboard enthusiasts today.

Just in time for Christmas, pisteing machines have been busy on the top slopes and limited skiing will be available in the Ptarmigan bowl area with access provided by the Coire na Ciste ski tow.

More snow is expected over the holiday period, but temperatures are also forecast to rise.

Marketing manager Tania Alliod said, “It’s a tentative start with a limited ski-able area but we’re up and running. Snow is what everyone wants to see over the Christmas period and we’re delighted that CairnGorm Mountain is able to oblige.

“More snow is forecast over the festive period combined with rises in temperature, so it may all disappear before we see it again.”

Skiing will be available from 10 am until 3.45 pm on the Coire na Ciste ski tow with access provided by the funicular railway.

The last train down to the car park will be at 4.15 pm.

While there has been some snow at other centres there is insufficient for skiing at present although forecast snow could change that shortly.