SKIS THE DAY

WINTER MOUNTAIN EXPERT TAKES CHANCE TO TRY SLOPES CLOSE TO HOME

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor

IN WINTER, the snow-capped Carneddau mountains offer exhilarating views for wellequipped hikers prepared to slog through snow. But there is a mode of transport that combines the best of both worlds.

Last week dad-of-four Rob Johnson strapped on a pair of skis and glided down the slopes to his home town of Llanfairfechan, Conwy. Accompanied by border terrier Rum, the main hazards were "flying sheep" that occasionally bolted across their path.

It helps that Rob is a winter mountain instructor and expedition guide who has climbed around the world. Neither was it his first ski trip in the Carneddau mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), having coasted down Foel Fras in December 2022.