THE information pages on the websites of Scotland’s five snow sport centres were as empty as the ski slopes yesterday as enthusiasts prayed for much-needed snowfall to see in the New Year.

The Met Office issued warnings of rain and wind across the country and, although there was some snow on Scottish peaks, it was not enough for skiers or snowboarders.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service said there was a moderate risk of avalanche in Glencoe.

A spokesman added: “The snowpack will continue to slowly thaw through most of the period leading to wet snow instabilities on steeper slopes.”

Nevis Range was open for some skiing on Sunday, but last night a representative said: “With warmer temperatures, snow has been lost and we would expect only to run lessons on the dry slope using the Alpha Tow on Tuesday.”

Cairngorm Mountain and the Lecht did not have enough snow for sport, and it was a similar picture at Glenshee, although Glencoe did hold out some hope: “Still not enough snow for skiing or snowboarding but plenty for building snowmen and sledging.”

During the past couple of years, the weather has been relatively kind to skiers and boarders, and thousands mobbed Scotland’s resorts in January after freezing temperatures brought heavy snowfalls and excellent sporting conditions.

That was borne out one day in Glencoe, when staff had to stop selling tickets early in the afternoon when more than 1,600 descended on the resort. The same weekend saw 4,000 people converge on the Cairngorm ski area, while Nevis Range welcomed more than 3,000 visitors.