Report Dublin Mountains Skiing this weekend

sarsfield06

Just finished two days of investigation of the new snow. Snowline somewhere around maybe 300 metres. Yesterday was on Three Rock Mountain (just above Dublin's southern suburbs). Decent amount of snow and powdery, maybe 50cm, more higher up. Hoked up the fire road, and skied back down as poor vis.



Today was a bigger day, parked car at Killakee car park at start of Military Road, and walked up road past forest in direction of Glencree. Had touring kit (intentionally bought for days like today). Haven't put the skins on before so enthusiastic about the whole experience. Made rapid progress up the first hill and because of the snow depth and lack of steepness slowly skied back down to the road, snow was powdery about 50cm.

After crossing the road decided to tackle Kippure (750m), this would take some time as there is a half an hour bog road walk followed by a moderate climb 45mins, however these times are based on walking not skinning. The snow was deep (1 metre + in places) so progress was slow, eventually summited after about 2 hours at about 2:30pm. Cold up top with East wind blowing and my fingers were getting numb so didn't hang around long although got some panorama shoots of the main peaks around. A little flat the light but ski down good fun. Got back to Military Road about 4pm with light fading. Was too tired to walk back to car so luckily got a lift with a 4 wheel drive back to my car, many 'tourists' that shouldn't have been up there in their ill equipped vehicles slipping and sliding along Military Road. hungry and tired by the time I got home, just in time for Ski Sunday!

The kit


First Tracks Kippure


Looking towards Sugar Loaf Mountain, Bray and the Irish Sea


Kippure summit


The view south


View towards Djouce


Lots of drifting

jack01986

Fair play some amount of touring for those turns. Always fancied getting a setup like that for these occasions.

James_R

Cheers for the report, going to try get up to Glencree over the next couple of days with the snowboard. Been up a couple of times last few years. Bit of an effort hiking up the hills but worth it.

RATM

Looks amazing OP. Though I wouldn't fancy all that hiking myself. I'd love to put a few of these together for a snowy day in the Wicklow mountains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV_6plAcRJ0

Poster King

Has anyone been up the Sally Gap around Lugalla area (Lough Tay, or is it Lough Dan, i always get those mixed up). I have a 4 x 4 and chains and wondering how far up I might be able to drive.

sarsfield06

Poster King I think you'll be OK in 4wd. I might go there tomorrow although might be difficult in my car.

Here's an image of Luggala from the weather forum where someone drove up yesterday in a 4wd without a problem. I'd be tempted by that steep slope the other side of the lake. I think ski touring is all about bagging lines like that rather than number of runs. Anyway I need something steep as this soft snow really slows you down!

sarsfield06

Update on Lough Tay/Luggala area from today

sarsfield06

Was up in Wicklow today for a ski trip, Went to Ballinastoe Wood and hiked over to Lough Tay, stayed on the forest tracks and also skied down the road at Lough Tay. Snow a little softer as warmer than the last day I was out (Sunday). See photos below

Sugar Loaf


Where I parked, the lower car park as I heard the upper car parks would be hard to reach.


Road at car park, there was a bit of a thaw today so road improving


House in the snow and Vartry Reservoir


Forest Trail


Luggala and Lough Tay


The road to the Sally Gap, best on skis


Another view of Lough Tay


Lunch break


A go anywhere Landrover


If anyone wants ski gear to take advantage of the snow I've some skis, boots, chains and a jacket for sale on adverts.ie here are the links for the skis http://www.adverts.ie/ski-board/volkl-karma-185cm-freestyle-freeride-skis-and-bindings/1107588 and these http://www.adverts.ie/ski-board/twin-tip-skis/167680

opinion guy

So it appears ski seasons in Ireland are a bit like buses.....you don't see any for decades and then two come along all in the one year :pac:

snowstreams

Is there enough snow in the wicklow mountains for any snowsports at the moment? Im going to be in dublin this weekend and was hoping to get up to the mountains anyway.
Did any of Januarys snow last on the north facing slopes until the current cold spell?

Fattes

It is hardly worth the effort when conditions are good but if you are willing and want to there shuold be some around, Kippure normally holds it reasonably well

snowstreams

I snowboarded down kippure 3 years ago now in march. It held a lot of its snow in the north slope alright. The best part was snowboarding down the bog cut out gullies, I had never done any thing like it before!

If only it was feasible to set up a temporary tow lift, similar to what they do in the pennines in England.

sarsfield06

Never mind Fattes, beats going to the gym any day.

Here's an intrepid snowboarder in the Dublin mountains yesterday.


Re Kippure the North face gullies look well loaded, doesn't need much snow as no heather in these gullies.

Military Road clear today as far at Dublin border, however blowing snow/new snow could change this situation. Road covered in snow from border down to Glencree. Wouldn't try driving towards the Gap unless well equipped vehicle.

On Djouce side could today drive up as far a Lough Tay but snow after that.

Not sure about Wicklow Gap but may be clear to Tonlagee from Laragh side.

Fattes

If only it was feasible to set up a temporary tow lift, similar to what they do in the pennines in England

Three of them in storage in garages of Ski Club of Ireland member’s believe it or not, all function perfectly to apparently!!!

Never mind Fattes, beats going to the gym any day.

Anyone who thinks the effort of getting to a suitable location to tour in Dublin/Wicklow is worth it for the vert you get on the way down, is sadly deluded I can cover the Vertical of Lug (925 Meters) in less than 15-18 minutes, and the vert of Kippure (757Meters) in about 10 - 15 minutes. That is basing it on equivalent off piste areas and distances in a number of locations, and not exactly hammering it either.

But hey whatever makes you happy! Each to their own as long as you are not putting anyone else at risk the outdoors is there to be enjoyed.

CardinalJ

If you only get to go on 1 (max 2) trips a year, its probably worth it. If you get to go skiing every other week and work as an instructor, it's probably not! haha

I'd love to ski in Ireland mainly just so I could say I've done it.

sarsfield06

Fattes wrote: »

Three of them in storage in garages of Ski Club of Ireland member’s believe it or not, all function perfectly to apparently!!!



Anyone who thinks the effort of getting to a suitable location to tour in Dublin/Wicklow is worth it for the vert you get on the way down, is sadly deluded I can cover the Vertical of Lug (925 Meters) in less than 15-18 minutes, and the vert of Kippure (757Meters) in about 10 - 15 minutes. That is basing it on equivalent off piste areas and distances in a number of locations, and not exactly hammering it either.

But hey whatever makes you happy! Each to their own as long as you are not putting anyone else at risk the outdoors is there to be enjoyed.

True it's a lot of effort but I can tell you after one 6 hour tour in Jan this year my fitness sky rocketed! I agree the downhill in the Wicklow's isn't great as slopes not all that steep especially in deeper snow but if there was something steep enough loaded it would make for some great footage. Luggala for example, but I'm not sure would that ever get enough snow. It's not the number of turns but quality that counts.

In Scotland there is a big touring seen on similar mountains to us, after a while lifts and people become a pain....

Road skiing can also be a bit of craic as can go much faster! Lough Bray down to Glencree could be a possibility.

Fattes

Touring is for tight bastards who wont buy a lift pass

They invented ski lifts, and helicopters for a reason!

sarsfield06

Chris Davenport and Jeremy Jones use their own steam, there must be something in it, sure haven't Salomon even got a touring binding now!

Poster King

sarsfield06 wrote: »

Luggala for example, but I'm not sure would that ever get enough snow. It's not the number of turns but quality that counts.

Here is a video from 3 years ago taken in early Jan up at Luggala, there was loads of snow and at 1:30 there is skiing on pretty steep slope.

http://youtu.be/27EV7nsiklg

Fattes

sure haven't Salomon even got a touring binding now!

Nope they have a side country binding or hike and ride, its not marketed as a touring binding neither are the Quest. Probably to heavy for serious touring.

The reality is in Ireland that you will do well to strike a balance between skinning v down time.

sarsfield06

Kippure tour yesterday afternoon

Snow in very good condition, no thawing at all, good cover everywhere. Higher up icy but layer of snow covering this in gullies. At summit wind scoured ice sheet on wind facing sides.

gullies completely filled with wind packed powder, great snow


icy in places up higher


no shortage of snow in the gullies




Just back to car before dark


not the only one having some fun

mr spuckler

a mate of mine who lives down west has a skidoo - only uses it for tearing around his farm, it's some craic though. i've been on at him for the last couple of months to bring it up to the dublin mountains but he's a bit iffy about it as it does tend to lose power at times...reckons it's a fuel issue. if we get that sorted during the summer we might offer a taxi service next winter

snowstreams

I went up on saturday with my old snowboard. I havent snowboarded in a few years but ive not skis so it was my only option!
I was not disappointed with the depth of snow up there, but I was disappointed with all the ice. Ive never seen much ice in Ireland before, usually the snow just melts and doesnt refreeze here!
There was a lot less ice mid way down the north facing slope as Sarsfield said. But I was pretty bruised & sore by the time I found the slope.

Pic from the top at the aerial.


Snow drifting over the 8 foot high fence.


sliding on the ice on the south facing side!


Back at the car park

sarsfield06

Good effort, yes it was very icy up top, crampons type conditions. It's like that everywhere in Wicklow from what I hear on the tops. But down further there was enough snow as you can see from my carved turns in the photos, I don't like too much soft snow on these shallow slopes as it slows you down too much and harder to skin or walk back up. I'd say for boarding it's harder.

snowstreams

Crampon conditions is right! It must be because the sun is strong now & melting the surface of the snow and turning it to ice. That probably wouldnt happen if it was January or even february.
Walking back up to the top of the slopes was nearly impossible on the icey parts. You can see the reflection on the ice in the sunset image above.

I still enjoy getting out in Ireland in the snow even if it was icey, there is something special about doing it in your own backyard in the mountains that you know from summer time.

Id say a good snowboarder could have a good time even on the icey parts because there were patches of powder dispersed on the ice.

jack01986

Touring has its places very suited for here when there is snow. Didn't realise that there was that much snow up there looks seriously icey in patches