70 years ago this month, the first mechanised ski tow in Scotland began spinning at White Corries, on the mountain of Meall a   , which lies on the eastern approach to Glen Coe. Fast forward to today, and Glencoe Mountain is still coming up with the goods.

Much-loved among the west-coast ski fraternity, and beyond, our local ski area had it's downs & ups over the decades. It never got the public handouts that certain Scottish ski areas did - no bad thing when considering the basket-cases they turned into. Under the current management, it's always been about going forward, diversifying & reinvesting, whilst keeping an at-times, besieged faith, that Scottish skiing wasn't doomed by warming winters.

It's upper slopes are more akin to mountain carving & riding. It can be a harsh & slightly intimidating place at times, but always with the right rewards for giving it a go.
The terrain changes every season, depending on how it's filled in, or not.

It's got the finest panoramas from it's slopes, bar none. From the alpinesque face of Buachaille Etive Mor to the west, to the extraordinary desolation of Rannoch Moor.

At the time of writing, the winter season is proving ok at Glencoe. Not quite vintage, but enough depth & cover to call it a better one, touch wood. The sigh of relief can be heard to the east coast.

Generations come & go at Glencoe - my own family is on it's 4th to ski here. With loyalty & continuity being overlooked traits these days, I guess it just comes back to that lucky few.