Begin by hiking up the marked path from the Ptarmigan station to the summit. This hike will take around 30 minutes, but is absolutely worth it for the panoramic views you’ll receive at the summit, followed by one of the best descents on Cairngorm.

Once you reach the summit Cairn, stop for a breather, and get set for the ride down! On a clear day, the view here shows huge sections of the Cairngorm National Park. Skis and snowboards go on at this point, and you should begin the gentle introduction which takes you to the drop in point for the Headwall.

The Headwall is a huge semi-circle, and you can choose your line depending on snow cover and avalanche forecasts. Multiple avalanches are triggered here each season, so it’s crucial that you know the conditions and risks before setting out.

Once you’ve found a good drop-in point, you’re all set to enjoy the huge descent down in to Coire Cas, whilst (hopefully!) enjoying some fantastic Scottish powder on the way down. Cornice build up is possible at this point, so be sure to watch out for this. If you’re feeling confident, you can send it off here and get some great air-time before continuing your run down.

The Headwall levels out very gradually, before ending on the main pistes in Coire Cas. From here you can look back up at the tracks you’ve just carved into one of Cairngorm Mountain’s top off-piste routes!