Mountaineers', walkers' and climbers views are being sought on the avalanche service

The head of Scotland’s avalanche service is seeking views on its provision over last winter.

Co-ordinator Mark Diggins, who took over in charge of the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service last year, has set up an online survey to gauge the opinion of mountaineers, hillwalkers, climbers and skiers after the format of the reports was changed.

This winter, the avalanche risk at the five areas covered – the northern Cairngorms, southern Cairngorms, Lochaber, Glencoe and Craig Meagaidh – were represented in a new ‘rose’ format with more detailed information and a descriptive representation of the likelihood of avalanche, rather than the previously used one to five gradings.

The survey asks users how often they use the service, what type of activity they take part in on the mountains and how they view the new format. It also includes questions on how uses evaluate avalanche risk for themselves.

An SAIS statement said: “We aim to provide a service that gives the best possible mountain and snowpack information to mountain users, enabling them to enjoy the Scottish winter mountain environment with greater knowledge and awareness of the avalanche hazard.

“Your feedback is important in helping us achieve this.”

The avalanche forecasts ended in April though, according to the Mountain Weather Information Service, snow is still forecast on mountain tops above 1,000m (3,281ft) in the Scottish Highlands in the next few days.

The short survey can be found online here.