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Ptarmigan Ridge

Cairngorms National Park

A short, gentle introduction to off-piste skiing

Freeride Skiing Easy

Distance
613 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
77 m
Low Point
1.1 km
High Point
1.1 km
Gradient
21˚
Ptarmigan Ridge Map

The Ptarmigan Ridge descent is the perfect introduction to off-piste snowsports. The route is fairly short, while for the majority of the route the gradient is roughly equivalent to a blue-graded run. Additionally, the route is not far from the marked pistes and is well within the ski area boundary. If you're looking to venture off the piste for the first time, this is the best option for you.

Description

The majority of the run is visible from the base of the Ptarmigan Bowl, so you can check snow cover and conditions before committing to the run. Take the Ptarmigan T-Bar up for access, and at the top station turn off to the left. Heading away from the marked trails, you begin with a long gentle traverse along the ridge. With good visibility, you can expect a fantastic view of the terrain park and ski area directly below. Once you can see the Ptarmigan Bowl opening out below, you can begin your descent.

The beauty of the Ptarmigan Ridge is that you can pick your line, based on snow conditions, and where the best untracked powder is! There are no cliffs or features to navigate around, so you can just enjoy cruising down this run.

Difficulty

Easy

Wide gentle slopes at around 20 degrees or less.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between December and March

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area