Scafell Pike has a winter that is very cold, averaging 37 inches of snow only in the month of January. The snow usually stops by the end of March-early April and the place reaches a maximum of 80 degrees fahrenheit in a year. The snow starts again in late October-early November.
There is no tow on Scafell Pike, however, there is a tow on Raise near Helvellyn and several tows not too far away in the North Pennines so the snow forecast is useful for these.
You can ski here at Scarfel, when there is snow. I have friends who have skied here and seen skiing here on TV. There are some simple lifts if you get snow, which is rare. The runs ar'nt that long and there is a piste map on site.
It is NOT possible to ski here, but if you're interested in mountain biking it's well worth a visit. The climb up is rough with many large rocks on the track ensuring that you have to carry your bike rather than ride it. But once at the top you get some fantastic views and a roller coaster 3 mile bike ride down will have your rims smoking!
November 13, 2005
Craig Sweeney
from
United Kingdom
don't be fooled it is not possible to ski here (You're quite right Craig. There are a few spurious Mountain forecasts on the snow-forecast site, usually because someone requested them, but these will all soon find a proper home on Mountain-forecast.com - Ed.)