Near house, however a world aside, one vacation spot that British skiers have all the time had an amazing curiosity in snowboarding in is Scotland, however criminally, few of us have truly skied there ourselves.
Whilst you positively shouldn’t expect the 2000 metre peaks and dramatic mountainscapes of the Alps, snowboarding in Scotland has its personal distinctive draw.
Scotland’s mountain centres boast an amazing vary of snowboarding and snowboarding choices, in addition to nice locations to eat and keep regionally, and a wide range of off-slope actions, from mountain biking and mountain climbing to sight-seeing and whisky tasting. All of this, amidst a few of Europe’s most spectacular surroundings, makes a winter journey in Scotland one to recollect.
Scottish snow sports activities are wonderful, and the 2024 season is a superb probability to find them. However don’t simply go to this lovely nation as soon as or solely in 2024! We predict each snow sports activities lover ought to expertise Scotland. Watch out although – you’ll be hooked on winter in Scotland and need to return!
WHY SCOTLAND?
Nice Worth for Cash
Overlook costly flight tickets and switch prices, journey insurance coverage and the trouble of overseas forex – snowboarding in Scotland isn’t solely straightforward, but in addition offers nice worth for cash for British skiers.
Excessive High quality Ski Faculties
In all main Scottish mountain centres you’ll find wonderful snow sports activities instruction, with pleasant instructors and no language obstacles! Consequently, Scotland is a incredible place to study to ski, regardless of your age. For those who’re in a bunch, the smaller ski areas of Scotland imply that you’ll all the time be near your mates or household, so it’s extremely straightforward to satisfy up at lunchtime or on the finish of the day.
Unbelievable, Pleasant Native Lodging
Relying on the place you reside, it’s attainable to do a day journey to a Scottish mountain centre. Nonetheless, we’d positively suggest making your Scottish winter getaway slightly longer, whether or not it’s a brief break or an prolonged vacation. Every mountain centre has all kinds of pleasant native lodging within the neighborhood, positive to offer an amazing base to discover all Scotland has to supply.
A Big Quantity to See and Do
Citadel Fraser, Aberdeenshire
In Scotland, a winter vacation doesn’t should be solely centered on snow sports activities. After all, you’ll be able to spend each second of each day on snow when you so want, however a winter vacation right here provides you the chance to discover past the ski slopes. From lively adventures reminiscent of mountain biking, mountain climbing and ice-climbing, to incredible food and drinks choices (did somebody say whisky distillery?!) and cultural sights aplenty, learn on to search out out extra…
A Winter Break Not Only for 2024
Cloud inversion at Glencoe Mountain © Ski-Scotland/Steven McKenna Pictures
As you’ll be able to see, Scottish mountain centres aren’t going wherever and their dedication to cementing Scotland’s place as an amazing winter vacation spot goes manner past this winter.
Scottish mountain centres are continually investing in enhancing the snow sports activities experiences they provide, whether or not that’s this 12 months, subsequent 12 months, or in ten years time.
From new snow-making amenities – every mountain centre has a TechnoAlpin Snow Manufacturing facility and snow cannons – to carry infrastructure and facility enhancements, there’s a great deal of improvement occurring, making a visit to Scotland’s centres all of the extra compelling.
WHERE TO SKI IN SCOTLAND
Cairngorm Mountain, Aviemore, Highlands
Cairngorm Mountain, close to Aviemore © Ski-Scotland/Steven McKenna Pictures
With unbeatable views throughout the Highlands, Cairngorm Mountain is one among Scotland’s hottest snow sports activities centres. The world affords over 30 runs, with choices for all talents, so it’s a perfect centre for households. There’s additionally on-site ski rent and very good ski faculties accessible, offering an amazing alternative for these seeking to get began or enhance their abilities this winter.
The mountain is only a 20-minute bus journey from the bustling Highland city of Aviemore, the place you’ll discover a great deal of eating places in addition to an enormous vary of lodging choices.
Its proximity to Aviemore makes Cairngorm Mountain an amazing vacation spot for these in search of an extended winter getaway, as there’s a lot to see and do within the space. Tackle the exhilarating close by mountain biking trails, style some whisky at Glenlivet Distillery or stand up shut and private with the native wildlife on the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre or the Highland Wildlife Park.
Aviemore is well accessed by rail, bus and street, making it a preferred vacation spot for these wanting the utmost comfort this winter. A daily bus service runs from Aviemore to the mountain centre when you’re seeking to go automotive free. There’s additionally a big automotive park on the mountain itself, when you want to remain native and drive up every day – splendid for these wanting to remain of their ‘bubble’ as a lot as attainable.
Glencoe Mountain, Glen Coe, Highlands
Glencoe Mountain © Ski-Scotland/Steven McKenna Pictures
Established over 60 years in the past, Glencoe Mountain is Scotland’s oldest snow sports activities centre, with an amazing snow document and 20 beautiful runs.
Skilled skiers will get pleasure from a few of Scotland’s most difficult terrain, together with the UK’s steepest black run, the ‘Flypaper’, in addition to some wonderful off-piste choices. In the meantime newbie and intermediate skiers can tackle quite a few blue and purple runs to check their abilities.
Centre amenities embrace on-site micro-lodges sleeping as much as 6, a small caravan park, gear rent and a ski college. They’ve additionally simply put in the brand new 3-person Rannoch Chairlift and a brand new café and reception space will open in 2022. A incredible choice of lodging choices and eating places will be discovered within the surrounding space.
Glencoe Mountain additionally affords a free sledging space (sledges supplied!) however For those who fancy slightly extra adrenaline, you’ll be able to head slightly additional afield to Kinlochleven’s Ice Issue – the world’s largest indoor mountain climbing wall! In Kinlochleven, you’ll additionally discover the Bothy Bar, an area foodie favorite that’s to not be missed!
Glenshee Ski Centre, Aberdeenshire
Glenshee Ski Centre © Ski-Scotland/Steven McKenna Pictures
Glenshee is certain to be a very talked-about selection for British skiers this winter. It’s extremely accessible by street, because the closest mountain centre to Edinburgh and is the UK’s largest snow sports activities centre. Thirty-six runs are set throughout 4 mountains and three valleys, served by 22 lifts that whisk skiers up as excessive as 3,500ft. A continually enhancing ski centre, Glenshee affords an amazing choice of graded runs for all talents, so it’s a perfect vacation spot for combined means teams.
On the mountain, there are three cafés the place you’ll be able to choose up a mid-ski snack, in addition to a incredible ski college for these wanting a serving to hand. There’s additionally discuss of the UK’s longest ziplines being put in in Glenshee in coming months, offering much more leisure!
Off the slopes, guests right here can benefit from the great hospitality of the close by cities of Braemar and Blairgowrie. Or go to the colourful metropolis of Dundee, the UK’s first UNESCO Metropolis of Design, the place you’ll discover the V&A and plenty of different customer points of interest.
Nevis Vary, by Fort William, Highlands
Skilled skiers within the Again Corries itineraries, Nevis Vary © Ski-Scotland/Steven McKenna Pictures
Over on the west coast of Scotland, in Lochaber – the Outside Capital of the UK, Nevis Vary is without doubt one of the most dependable locations for Scottish snow. It’s positioned excessive up on the slopes of the UK’s eighth highest mountain, Aonach Mor, so it’s unsurprising that the views from the slopes are completely unparalleled.
Nevis Vary options the UK’s solely gondola, taking you from the automotive park to the ski space, the place you’ll discover 11 lifts and 32 runs at your disposal. There’s loads of area for youthful skiers to develop their abilities, whereas skilled skiers will remember to benefit from the a number of off-piste itineraries accessible at Nevis Vary.
A brand new 70-metre travellator (a.okay.a magic carpet carry) has simply been put in within the learners’ space, alongside a newly commissioned snow plant to make sure that learners can get pleasure from a dependable, prime quality, light slope to enhance their abilities. As well as, a fleet of recent state-of-the-art hill autos for this season will maintain the slopes in tip-top situation and display the realm’s environmental dedication.
Keep within the close by city of Fort William, the place you’ll discover plenty of nice eating places and bars, in addition to nice worth, cosy lodging.
Lochaber is a spot positive to thrill anybody who needs to spend their winter vacation exploring all that the Scottish mountains have to supply! Whether or not you like difficult hikes or light walks, marvelling on the native sights or studying in regards to the space’s geology, there’s one thing for everybody!
The Lecht 2090, Moray Speyside
The Lecht 2090 © Ski-Scotland/Steven McKenna Pictures
One in all our favorite Scottish spots for households or newbie skiers, (although there’s a lot to maintain extra skilled skiers and boarders entertained), The Lecht is a superb ski space that provides loads of extensive, straightforward, well-groomed ski runs. It’s the right spot for skiers beginning out on their snow sports activities journeys, with a handy day lodge on the backside of the runs, which has all the things you want for a day on the slopes, all underneath one roof. Amenities embrace gear rent, a ski college with extremely skilled tutors, a store for these forgotten necessities, a self-service restaurant and a café bar for these mid ski sizzling candies.
It’s barely extra distant than a few of the different mountain centres we’ve talked about, however there are some nice lodging and consuming out choices in close by Tomintoul (20 minutes drive), Kildrummy (20 minutes drive), Ballater (half-hour drive) and Braemar (40 minutes drive).
The Lecht is definitely set on one of many highest roads within the UK, so it’s fairly snowsure, besides, they’ve been investing in spectacular snowmaking amenities over the previous couple of seasons to offer extra constant snow situations.
After all, Scotland additionally has various synthetic slopes in addition to Scotland’s solely actual snow slope on the Snow Issue close to Glasgow, so if the situations aren’t fairly enjoying ball, you’ll be able to nonetheless get snowboarding or boarding!
Mountain Info
Earlier than visiting, keep in mind to verify centre working hours, climate and journey experiences and Ski-Scotland snow situations experiences earlier than travelling. And all the time plan forward and ebook carry passes and gear rent upfront.
The best technique to maintain updated with all that’s occurring at Scotland’s mountain centres is to register for Ski-Scotland snow alert emails and to comply with Ski-Scotland on Fb.
Additional details about Scottish snowsports will be discovered at www.ski-scotland.com.
