Scotland has five ski resorts on offer and has the best skiing and snowboarding facilities in in the UK. Surrounded by the beautiful Highland Mountains the scenery is always spectacular, there is a ski centre within an easy drive from all of Scotland's Major cities, All the Scottish Ski centres offer great days out for beginners and experienced skiers and boarders alike.
GLENSHEE SKI RESORT
The Gaelic name for Glenshee is ‘Glen of the Fairies’ and offers some of the most fantastic skiing available in Scotland.
This is the largest Ski centre in the UK, it covers an area of over 2,000 acres and extends across four mountains and has 21 lifts and tows.
Glenshee has a choice of 36 runs available. The longest run is, Glas Maol, which has more than 2 kms of magical skiing, this centre is often open for later in the season because of the investment in snow-making machinery.
Originally in the 1930, s the lifts were provided by two tractors.
In 1957, the Dundee Ski Club helped the resort invest in its first proper tow. However, over the year’s thing have moved very quickly and in the last 50 years there is a very modern and Alpine feel to the centre. There is a cafe serving hot drinks and food, there is also a hire facility for skis, boots, and snowboards etc
Glenshee also has a ski school,which offers instruction from beginners to experienced Skiers and boarders.
CONTACT DETAILS.
TELEPHONE - 013397 41320
WEBSITE - https://www.ski-glenshee.co.uk/
EMAIL [email protected]
Cairnwell,
Braemar,
Ballater,
Aberdeenshire,
AB35 5XU
CAIRGORM SKI CENTRE
This Centre whilst being one of the most beautiful has a reputation as ono of the most challenging places to ski in the UK, This centre also has Scotland's only funicular railway system which runs up to the Ptarmigan Café.
It is probably Scotland's most popular resort and is only a fifteen-minute drive from the main northern A9 road which runs between Perth and Inverness.
The ride on the funicular railway to the Ptarmigan Café near the Top is a unique experience not only for the Skiers and boarders but for visitors to the area. The railway offers an opportunity to take in fantastic eagle’s eye view of the surrounding mountains.
For those not Ski-ng, the end of the rail line houses Scotland's highest restaurant, shop, mountain exhibition and viewing terrace to watch ski-ing then returning to the bottom station by the train.
Often climbers and Hill Walkers use the railway after walking up from the bottom, however conservation guidelines prohibit their using the railway for their initial ascent.
During the winter season there is an alternative way to descend the 400 vertical metres from the top station to the base station - on skis or a snowboard.
In fact, there is a wide range of routes on offer, with the longest run running 3.3 kms. In total, 11 lifts including the funicular train service the resort, which includes seven green runs, six blue, eight red and one black piste.
CONTACT DETAILS
TELEPHONE- 01479 861 307
TELELEPHONE- 01479 861 261
WEBSITE- https://visitcairngorms.com/skiingandsnowboarding.html
EMAIL - [email protected]
Cairngorm Ski Area,
Aviemore,
Inverness Shire,
PH22 1RB
GLENCOE SKI CENTRE
The resort is located in an area of outstanding beauty on Rannoch Moor and has fantastic views of the mountain Buachaille Etive Mor. There is a large campsite in the centre boasts with hook-ups and small lodges. In summer the centre still operates the chairlift for rides, mountain biking, hill walking, climbing, photography and lovely cooked food in the log cabin restaurant. In winter skiing, snowboarding, sledging and avalanche rescue tuition are available, and the centre has the longest and the steepest ski run in Scotland.
The Glencoe centre was established in 1956 and is the oldest Ski centre in Scotland and is regognised as the best centre for the more experienced , Glencoe has breath-taking scenery and a huge choice of fantastic runs, one of these is the famous flypaper which is the UK,s steepest black run all this makes Glencoe a must visit centre for the more experienced Skier or snowboarder.
But most people don’t realise that Glencoe has a large plateau which has nursery slops and is ideal for the beginner, Improvements to the beginners area have recently been made including a new Dopplmayr Button tow all the way across the plateau and future plans include a new 3 man chairlift.
The centre is set among fabulous scenery of 2000 hectares, also the 'Meall a' Bhuiridh Massif' which is a large basin with fantastic snow holding capabilities also means skiing in late April and May is a possibility depending on the weather of course.
Glencoe has 20 runs and 8 lifts, also has an avalanche training facility also for those not into skiing or boarding there is a free area for sledging and the sledges are provided free. this centre also boast a Ski School, Ski hire, There are two café, s which serve great homemade food and hot drinks.
During the summer season visitors to the area can enjoy trips on the chairlifts with magnificent scenery, Downhill cross country mountain biking, With bikes available for hire at the centre . Also, there is a panoramic café selling hot food and drinks.
There is accommodation available all year round in the microlodges , they sleep from 4 people in the smaller ones and up to six people in the larger lodges. If arriving by motorhome or campervan there are electric hook ups.
CONTACT DETAILS
TELEPHONE-01855 851226
TELEPHONE-07977 553901
WEBSITE - https://www.glencoemountain.co.uk/
[email protected]
Kingshouse,
Glencoe,
Ballachulish,
Argyll,
PH49 4HZ
NEVIS RANGE SKI RESORT
The Nevis range skiing is on Aonach Mor which is Scotland’s eight highest mountain and skiing is up to 3900 feet (1190 metres) high so is operational well into May most years.
The Nevis range boast Scotland’s only mountain gondola which takes visitors from the car park at around sea level to the top station and the Snowgoose restaurant which is 2150 feet (650 Metres) high.
Close to the restaurant is the beginner’s area and nursery slops with green and blue graded runs, There is also an artificial slope when there is a shortage of snow.
There are ample black and red runs further up the mountain including the famous board wise terrain park.
In this area is the Back Corries which have the expansive area of off piste skiing available there are also steep runs that will be a great challenge the most experienced Skier, The Nevis range also has other snow activities which include, Boarding, Sledging and snowshoeing.
During the summer season the Nevis Range has two downhill mountain bike trails / tracks , however you don’t need to carry or push you bike up an you can simply attach your bike to the chairlift and away you go. As the chairlift travels high up the mountain you are advised to check the weather before you leave as high winds can affect the operation of the chair lift.
In the summer months the centre has two mountain bike trails, no need to push up the hill, simply attach your bike to the 3 man chairlift and up you go. Calling before travelling is recommended to check weather conditions as high winds can affect the running on the chairlift
CONTACT DETAILS
TELEPHONE-01397 705825
WEBSITE - https://www.nevisrange.co.uk/
[email protected]
Torlundy,
Fort William,
Inverness Shire,
PH33 6SQ
LECHT SKI CENTRE
The Lecht Ski Centre is situated on the A939 between Cockbridge and Tomintoul. The centre has been operating since the mid-1970s and now has 20 ski runs and 14 lifts and tows, The Lecht has range has grown into one of Scotland’s top Ski resorts.
This area is a natural outdoor playground for visitors’ summer or winter. The centre boast on site snow making machinery and has some of the most consistent snow and is excellent for all levels of skiers and boarders but is especially good for beginners. There is also a penguin park available for children between 2 and 8 years of age there is also the Rotondo Carousel which helps kids get started with balancing and getting to grips with sliding on skis and boards which is in a safe and fun environment.
Any equipment that is required can be hired at the centre or booked on line prior to your arrival. During busy spells it is advised to book well in advance. If required clothing can be rented from the Si shop The Ski school is also available from the novice to the more experienced Skier.
CONTACT DETAILS
TELEPHONE- +44 (1975) 651440
WEBSITE - https://www.lecht.co.uk/
[email protected]
Corgarff,
Strathdon,
Aberdeenshire,
AB36 8YP
Working with Visit scotland we have some useful hints and tips to help preserve Scotland's beauty for many years to come.
http://www.scottshtourer.co.ukWe have picked out 10 Munros which are mountains over 3000 ft high which in our opinion are the easiest to climb and navigate for a beginner.