WATCH: See the superb snow conditions at Cairngorm Mountain
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Cairngorm Mountain bosses have not given up hope of laying on snowsports at the resort this winter.
The mountain is currently enjoying its best conditions since 2010/11 but the slopes remain out of bounds to skiers and snowboarders because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The resort has just released footage of the fantastic snow cover taken at the end of last week on a stunning bluebird day, and capturing some snow bunting enjoying the sun too.
Staff were only able to access the resort using skidoos and piste machines as the Cairngorm ski road had not been cleared beyond the Sugar Bowl car park at that point.
Snowdrifts covering the link road have been the biggest for 40 years and it was not until early yesterday morning that the route was finally cleared.
Colin Matthew, Cairngorm Mountain's operations manager, has been providing a short look around the resort with the ski slopes looking glorious.
There have also been some reindeer venturing nearer the slopes whilst skiers and snowboarders have had to stay away.
But there is a glimmer of hope that all might not be lost for the 2020/21 season with Mr Matthew saying conditions are expected to remain good for a while to come given the sheer amount of snow that has fallen.
He signs off: "Currently it is looking very good for a long season once we get open."
Mr Matthew also said that it has been work as normal for the staff not furloughed in order to look after the uplift and other infrastructure.
He said: "We have to do pretty much everything that we do normally for the ski tows – knock off the ice that builds up overnight or through snowstorms; check the wheels, check the gear boxes and run the motors.
"The piste machines are out making tracks for the skidoos to get around so that we can keep an eye on the buildings, all the water and heating systems, pump stations.
"We have our own wastewater treatment plant that has to be checked and to get it going daily.
"So there is still a lot of work to keep us going even though we are not opened to the public."
Cairngorm Mountain opened the weekend before Christmas but then took the decision to close to safeguard the community before the national lockdown then took effect.
Deepest snow on upper Cairngorm ski road for four decades
