Mad March sessions

March 3, 2009 on 8:46 am | In Snowboarding, Skiing |

The start of March brings the mad March Hare to the Scottish hills, or at least seekers of mad March hair-raising snow escapades. There is always a dump of snow in the first two weeks of March and it is very often a large dump so be prepared as the exisiting base coupled with the great few months of on snow and good weather practice will no doubt bring the long awaited return of the extreme Scottish ski route.

Spurred on by the relatively new breed of Scottish snowboarders, many who have never been around the witness the more daring side of Scottish back-country riding, the many very talented home grown skiers who like to test their limits and pit themselves against the mountain will be out in force to get that line down Aladdins or Jacobs or drop that cliff or cornice or buttress they have not seen done for many a year.

And the snowboarders will be hot on their tails if not leading the way!!  The last few seasons in Scotland have been a build up to something even better. There has been gathering momentum and a coming together of like minded back-country folks. These folks, definitely not backward at coming forward,unless riding switch that is, have had their beady little eyes on various lines and drops around the Scottish mountains just waiting for the right snow and weather to put them ‘in condition’ so to speak.

Like the big wave surfers who wait for years for the once in a lifetime storm to bring them their mega hit in the form of a huge wave to ride on, out own adrenaline junkies have been hanging out waiting for a season where they get in enough home practice to feel ready by March to take on THE LINE and this very well might be the season.

Watch this space as we wait for the inevitable March storm to hit and hope that it brings plenty of the white stuff with it, like it did last year, so the home grown snow mavericks can get their all to rare fix of ground breaking adventure adrenalin. I for one will be at the Top of Jacobs Ladder ready to jump in to the couloir and straight line the chute.Here are some pics from the last few weeks to get you motivated. See you on the snow!                     

Lesley McKenna
http://www.chunkyknit.com
Professional snowboarder, film maker and ambassador for Visitscotland. All sorts of outdoor sports from skiing to mountain biking and now mixes her time on the Snowboard World Cup Tour with time in Scotland doing these sports.