Scotland's Snowy Peaks See Surge in Avalanches and Stunning Winter Scenes

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service reports a significant rise in avalanches this season, with 294 recorded, alongside strong winds, heavy snowfall, and extended snowsports opportunities in Scotland's mountain regions.

Season Overview

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has concluded its latest season, reporting a provisional total of 294 avalanches, which is approximately seven times the number recorded in the previous season.

SAIS provides avalanche hazard information for several key mountain areas including Lochaber, Glen Coe, the Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, and Torridon.

SAIS Creag Meagaidh Mist-covered mountain crags and cliffs in the Creag Meagaidh area. — An atmospheric scene at Creag Meagaidh soon after the latest season kicked off.

In the 2024-25 season, SAIS recorded only 42 avalanches, marking the lowest count in nearly four decades of operation. The highest number of avalanches recorded by the service was 350 during the 2013-14 season, while the previous lowest figure was 90 in 2016-17.

SAIS seasons typically span from mid-December to mid-April, encompassing the core winter months when avalanche risk is most significant.

Weather Conditions and Snowfall

The recent season was characterized by strong winds, with named storms such as Chandra and Dave delivering some of the most intense gusts recorded.

Despite the windy conditions, there were intervals of heavy snowfall combined with calm weather, notably in February when ski resorts reported enjoying some of their best winter conditions in years.

SAIS Glencoe The objects in the image are almost obscured by low cloud. The mast is caked in ice and rises above an area of ground covered in a meringue-like covering of ice. — Rime ice - milky deposits of ice crystals - cover a communications mast and the ground below in Glen Coe on 25 January.

During these calmer periods, climbers and ski enthusiasts were able to access the mountains more readily, including areas in the Northern Cairngorms.

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SAIS Northern Cairngorms A climber walks up a snow-covered slope in the Northern Cairngorms. He is dwarfed by a snowy mountain rising before him. — There were times this winter when calmer conditions allowed climbers to get out into the mountains, including the Northern Cairngorms.

Snowsports and Mountain Activities

Cairngorm Mountain, Glencoe Mountain, and Nevis Range continued to offer snowsports opportunities in recent days.

SAIS Glencoe Glencoe Mountain ski area is covered in snow. There is a snow fence and in the distance ski lift infrastructure. The sky above is grey and cloudy. — Glencoe Mountain ski area on Easter Sunday.

Over the Easter weekend, Glencoe Mountain shared on social media:

"Skiing in April? Would you believe it?"

The resort described the conditions as "some of the best of the season."

Historically, snowsports have been feasible into May and even June during some winters.

Visual Highlights from the Season

The season featured remarkable natural phenomena and scenes, including frozen footprints revealed on Aonach Mor as wind cleared finer snow, and avalanche debris in Number Three Gully on Ben Nevis photographed on 22 February.

SAIS Lochaber The frozen footprints are slightly above the rest of the snowy ground. They look like white blobs. — Frozen footprints revealed on Aonach Mor by wind blowing away a covering finer snow.

SAIS Lochaber The debris is made up of big lumps of snow that has slid down a snow-covered slope. There are rocky outcrops nearby. — Avalanche debris in Number Three Gully on Ben Nevis in a picture taken on 22 February.

Other notable sights included rime ice—milky deposits of ice crystals—covering a communications mast and the surrounding ground in Glen Coe on 25 January, and a ski tour group navigating a wild day in the Southern Cairngorms on 5 February.

SAIS Southern Cairngorms The ski tourers stand in drifting snow near a rocky outcrop. — A ski tour group on a wild day in the Southern Cairngorms on 5 February.

Additional atmospheric occurrences were captured, such as a fogbow in the Southern Cairngorms in December, ski tourers at Glas Maol in the Southern Cairngorms on 14 February, and a snow-capped Liathach in Torridon last week.