Snow lovers can indulge their passion at the weekend when the north’s ski resorts take part in Ski-Scotland’s annual snow festival.
All five mountain ski areas have a full programme of activities planned for the SnowFest event on Saturday and Sunday.
One of the highlights, weather permitting, will be a mass descent at Nevis Range near Fort William, CairnGorm Mountain at Aviemore, Glencoe Mountain in Lochaber, Glenshee Ski Centre at Cairnwell, Braemar, and the Lecht at Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, at 1pm on Saturday.
If this is not possible, it will be held the following day.
But organisers are stressing that it is not a race.
Ski-Scotland chairwoman Heather Negus, of Nevis Range, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming as many skiers and boarders as possible to take part in this fun descent.
“In some resorts, a piper will lead the descent, while The Lecht’s Parker the Penguin will lead theirs.”
She pointed out that this would be the third Ski-Scotland SnowFest and said it was shaping up to be the best yet.
Ms Negus said: “Our aim is to encourage Scotland’s people and visitors to get out into the mountains to enjoy some fun in the snow.
“They can get involved in a range of snow-based activities, including walking, sledging, building snowmen and snow sculptures, watch races and other events and try skiing and snowboarding.
“And, when the mountain air makes them hungry, they can enjoy good tasty Scottish food in mountain restaurants and cafes.”
She stressed that all SnowFest events are dependent on snow and weather conditions.