Skiers and snowboarders flocked to CairnGorm on Boxing Day, taking the season total for visitors to 10,000 since the beginning of December.

People began arriving at the popular Highland ski resort from 8am, and by midday, over 900 snowsports enthusiasts were on the slopes.

In addition to skiers and boarders, 250 visitors made the journey on the funicular to watch the snowsports and take in the views.

Resort managers said good skiing was available on many of the runs, while more snow is forecast for later in the week.

Conditions today were described as excellent, with only light winds and sunshine breaking through from mid-morning.

CairnGorm Mountain marketing manager Colin Kirkwood said: "The season has got off to a very promising start and a good base has built up with assistance in some areas from the snow guns we are trialling this season.

"We have already had twice as many skiers as we had had by the same point last year so we remain optimistic about the prospects for snowsports for the New Year while bearing in mind the huge variety of conditions we have experienced over the last three seasons."

Floodlit evening skiing and boarding will be made available in the top bowls of the mountain on Friday December 28 from 4pm - 8pm, and again on Thursday January 3, weather dependent.

Mr Kirkwood said: "We ran one floodlit evening session last season which was very popular with our customers so we decided to offer this again over the holidays in view of the good snow cover we have and which we expect to hold onto over this period.

"We have hired more floodlighting than we had last year but we are watching the weather closely and if conditions and the forecast indicate that other days may be more attractive for evening snowsports we may switch a date.

"So we would ask people to watch our website and facebook page to check on the latest plans for floodlit skiing and boarding."