Berries Predict Another Epic Winter For Scottish Ski Hills
Berries Predict Another Epic Winter For Scottish Ski Hills
Published : 29-Sep-2010 11:33
CairnGorm Mountain's head of ski patrol Colin Matthew is predicting another bumper year for snowsports at the resort this winter following the record-breaking season in 2009-10 when massive falls of snow encouraged 145,000 skiers to visit the resort. While there has been much meteorological speculation about jet streams and cyclical patterns of severe winters, Matthew's prediction is based on something much less scientific – the berries in his own garden a few miles below the resort.Commented Colin Matthew who has skied at the resort for 45 years:
"In 2009 the snowberries in my garden appeared early, in August, and were particularly large. And then I noticed that they budded and flowered again two or three times during the season, on each occasion coinciding with the massive falls of snow we experienced last season. The berries are as big as ever this year, so if my theory is right we are in for another winter with a lot of snow."
Whichever signs they are reading, fans of the resort clearly believe it is going to be a good winter for snowsports enthusiasts as applications for season tickets are already well ahead of last year's. Over 750 applications have been received to date, around 50% more than at the same point last year and a further spate of applications is expected over the next 9 days before the lower price booking deadline of the end of September expires.
cS24
[er, what actually is a "snowberry"... and why don't more ski resorts grow them then? Admin]
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