With the heavy snowfalls of the last few years creating perfect conditions at all five of Scotland’s ski resorts there has never been a better time to hit the slopes, whether you want to ski, snowboard or even try something more unusual like dog sledding. Winter Sports in Scotland may not have the glamour associated with the more glitzy Alpine resorts, but staying in the country saves a costly and environmentally damaging flight, the conditions can be as good if not better than the Alps, the scenery is hard to beat and there is more choice of what to do than ever before.
Tuition is the Key to Getting Started
Skiing and snowboarding offer the ultimate steep learning curve as on your first attempt you will doubtless spend as much time in the snow as gliding gracefully over it. Tuition then is the key to getting started and all of Scotland’s five ski resorts now offer tuition in one form or another, whether it be a quick one on one with an instructor on the nursery slopes or a more extensive ski school that involves an extended stay at the resort.
Nevis Range Skiing
Kicking off in the Highlands the highest ski field in the UK is the Nevis Range, which has a handy gondola to whisk you up to the mountain pistes. It offers skiing up to 1,190m, meaning that the action here often careers on into late spring. There are green and blue runs right outside the gondola station and the adjacent restaurant, but you will need to traipse a bit higher for the more challenging black and red runs. A new restaurant is set to open this year at the gondola base station.
Glencoe Skiing
To the south Glencoe is a more modest centre, but the scenery is no less spectacular. It was the first ski centre in Scotland to set up a lift in 1956 and today there are 7 lifts and 19 runs. The granddaddy of them all is the Fly Paper, rated by many skiers as the steepest and most challenging black run in the UK. The skiing here is typical of the excellent value in Scotland – for £60 you get equipment hire, a 2 hour lesson and a full area day ticket.
Cairngorm Skiing
Moving further east the slopes at Cairngorm drop off the massive snow and ice plateau of the Cairngorms, the finest arctic wilderness in the UK. A modern funicular zips skiers and snowboarders up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant and there are 11 further lifts on hand. The drop between the funicular stations is over 400m, with the longest run 3.3km. There is a freestyle park too for those looking to perfect their skills.
The Lecht Skiing
Even further to the east is the small, but perfectly formed Lecht, which sits at a high level, giving it a long season. There are 20 runs stretching over 20km, with seven blue runs for beginners, five more challenging reds and one seriously testing black downhill. Look out for the half-pipe and fun park set up for snowboarders and freestyle skiers.
Glenshee Skiing
Last but certainly not least is Glenshee near Braemar, which is the largest of the ski resorts. It spreads its icy tentacles across a whopping 2,000 acres and straddles a quartet of mountains. It boasts 21 lifts and tows with 36 runs stretching for over 40km. Glas Maol is the longest at a strength sapping 2km. Its extensive snow making facilities help it prolong what these days in Scotland is already the lengthy skiing season.
Glenshee is home to one of the most respected ski schools in the land. Cairnwell Mountain Sports use Gulabin Lodge at the Spittal of Glenshee as their base. They offer everything from a beginner ski or snowboard package of 1.5 hours of tuition followed by ski hire and a lift pass for only £50, through to live-in courses, with instruction also available in Alpine, telemark and ski touring.
Further Information
www.visitscotland.com/see-do/active/skiing-snowsports
