Michael Chare wrote:
: This year they opened on 12th December, and I was told that this was 1 week
: earlier than usual. Can anyone confirm if this is correct.

I don't think so! I was there between 13th and 20th December and had always
expected the link lifts to be open (snow permitting!). They also were when
I last went to the 3-Valleys before Xmas 4 years ago on about these dates.

(Quite) a few other lifts (incuding Mt Vallon) were not open that week.