Geal Chàrn Mòr

Cairngorms National Park

Sheltered easy angle powder skiing in the Monadhliaths

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 830 m
Descent: 831 m
Duration: 5-6 hrs

Low Point: 259 m
High Point: 823 m
Gradient: 18˚

Ideal for both newbie and experienced ski tourers looking for an accessible adventure with fantastic panoramic views of the Cairngorms, Geal Chàrn Mòr offers straight forward touring close to Aviemore.

Heading back down from the summit with the Cairngorms in the distance

Description

At 824m with a choice of sheltered NW and NE facing bowls and wide open easy angle slopes on all aspects, Geal Chàrn Mòr can provide excellent powder skiing when the more exposed higher mountains have been stripped by the wind.

Park at Lynwilg then follow the obvious track - the Burma road - as it winds its way in a N/NW direction onto the hillside.

Feel free to nip off to the side for a quick hit on Carn Dearg Mor (712m) if you're short on time and conditions look good!

When you reach the col between Geal Chàrn Mòr and Gael Charn Beag, head WSW towards the summit of Geal Chàrn Mòr itself.

From here there are plentiful options so it's a case of working out where the wind has been coming from in order to find the best snow!

We struck gold this winter with lap after lap of world class cold dry powder in the bowl that lies to the NW of the summit itself.

You cannot see into the bowl from the flattish summit which means it tends not to see the same amount of traffic as the other hills which are more visible from the skin track.

If conditions and the weather gods align, you'll be in for hero snow in a stunning location.

Easy skinning, wide open heli ski style skiing, amazing views and a cracking wee ski back down the Burma road to finish - Geal Chàrn Mòr really is a superb "bang for your buck" tour!