By Mark Mackay

WEEKS BEFORE the notoriously inconsistent Scottish ski season was even expected to begin, Glenshee is already hailing its best winter in years.

So good has the snow been—and such the clamour to take advantage of the conditions—that the ski centre expects to surpass its 2007 figures by the end of the weekend.

The stunning revelation accompanies the equally surprising news that all five of Scotland’s ski centres have opened early.

Just last month they were in the doldrums with only the CairnGorm Mountain having enough snow to allow people to take to the slopes.

Glencoe, Glenshee and the Lecht remained closed due to lack of snow, with all anticipating another difficult year.

However, surprise snowfall in the past few weeks has rejuvenated the industry, at least temporarily, with thousands of skiers and snow- boarders flocking to the country’s mountains.

The 2007 skiing season at Glenshee was “very poor” according to directors—so poor in fact that it forced a change of approach at the centre.

Diversification has been the name of the game in recent months, with Glenshee building a mountain bike track down its pistes, mirroring those already created at the Nevis Range and Glencoe Mountain Resort.

However, all of a sudden operators are now hoping for a bumper season.

In fact, Glenshee Ski Centre said that by this weekend it expected around 8000 people to have made the most of its pistes—the equivalent of the total number for its entire ski season in 2007.

“This is the best snow we have seen for years,” said Aileen Lawrence, one of the company’s directors.

“We have had a really good start and judging by the forecast it looks as if the snow is going to last.

“We have had lots of snow in previous years, but then it has become mild, wet and windy.

“We hope that isn’t going to happen this year.”

A second good weekend in a row is expected at Glenshee Ski Centre with fine snow cover already and more snow anticipated tomorrow.

A total of 1200 skiers made their way to the slopes last Saturday and with similar conditions expected today it should be busy again.

Fresh snow has improved most of the runs, with 11 of the ski centre’s 21 open for business yesterday.

Others are expected to follow.

Yesterday the centre was reporting good powder snow on most runs, although snow cover on a few runs is still a little thin.

Roads were clear, though skiers and boarders have been reminded to check on snow, weather and road conditions before setting out.

For up to date weather conditions, visit www.ski.visitscotland.com/ conditions/glenshee.

Yesterday Glencoe, the last of those to open for the season, had virtually all runs open and 400 skiers out, writes Harry McLaggan.

The Lecht has also enjoyed the bounty from above with all main runs complete and nine of them open yesterday.

There were around 500 people out on a clear dry day.

It is hoped all runs will be open today.

Nevis Range were also pleased with their day with the gondola system and nine other uplifts running.

All runs are complete. In all they catered for 240 skiers and another 50 gondoliers.

At CairnGorm Mountain Ltd., people are being advised to turn up early today.

There were 530 skiers and another 140 sightseers yesterday. The mountain railway and both other uplifts were running.