Skiing in Scotland

Yorky

Does anyone know if the end of December / beginning of January is a good time to go skiing in Scotland?

If so, can anyone provide any advice on novice instruction and accomodation for families?

Thanks in advance.

derra_121

I cant say iv ever been but I was doing a bit of research myself this year cause I know they got alot of snow the last few weeks.

Most slopes look quite small with the best resort looking like Glenshee I was thinking of getting the ferry from Belfast and driving to Aberdeen and staying there its the biggest town kinda close plus I know aberdeen quite well. Some decent accomidation there about 90 k form the skiing so an hour and half drive in the morning. Im sure there is accomidation much closer but I was looking for cheap and with a decent night out also so im not too sure about family wise.

Try http://ski.visitscotland.com/travel/ for more info

snowstreams

Ive been skiing in Scotland twice before. The first year I was there, the snow wasnt great & I found it a bit more challenging than the skiing you would get in the Alps. This was mostly because it was so icey.
The second time I was there, it was very good. They had plenty of snow and no ice.
It can get a bit busy at the weekends there but i suppose that happens everywhere.
I saw a few places to organise lessons there at the slopes.

I went to Cairngorm which is beside a town called Aviemore for my first 2 days skiing. Accomodation was mostly B&Bs and hotels there.
Then i drove to Fortwilliam and went to the Nevis range for my 3rd days skiing.
Skiing down into the corries in Nevis range was something that ive never experienced anywhere else, Id have to recommend that to any good skier. :eek:
Cairngorm was busier but had more lifts, slopes and better snow too. Id say Cairngorm would be more suited to beginners.

This is a picture of the corry drop in Nevis Range. Great fun but not for beginners!


This link below lists all the resorts around scotland.
http://www.ski-scotland.co.uk/
Overall I'd recommend it for a long weekend type break.

scotty_irish

Scottish skiing is seriously underrated! Having skied many alps, the best snow ive ever skied was cairngorm over the last few weeks. Cairngorm is the best resort, although not the biggest has the best and most consistent snow. Glenshee is also amazing. Aviemore near cairngorm has B&Bs and hotels. Glenshee is near nothing, maybe 15 miles from anything decent and the road is often closed! Lessons are available on both mountains. If possible go midweek as the lift queues can get quite long at the weekend. If renting gear, rent off the mountain, possibly in Edinburgh or Glasgow or on the approach to the mountain (plenty of places have signs at the side of the road) as its cheaper and the rental queues on the mountains can be massive. Bring cash also for the lift pass to save yourself some time. I've done 4 days so far this year and its been amazing!

Here's some photos from recent trips:
http://www.highland-instinct.co.uk/gallery/cg/winter201011/

the attachment's from Dec 13.

Enjoy your trip!

Diceicle

I've never snowboarded before but would Scotland (or which range in Scotland) would be a good starting point?
Also compared to the more traditional ski / snowboard destinations how does Scotland compare overall price wise?

snowstreams

I'd say scotland is good for short trips because it works out cheaper than going all the way to the alps then.
Id say it would be easier to book a week long holiday with lessons to the alps really if you are a total beginner.
Im probably going to go to scotland for my Stag soon, will prob have a few beginners with me. I'll see how they get on!

infinitemonkey

Anyone have any idea/experience on what conditions might be like in late Feb?

Steyr243Hunter

thinking the same myself.would last min going to the alps work out cheaper or does it work like that?

snowstreams

if your going for just a weekend. It probably would work out cheaper to go to scotland. But if your going for 4 days or more id just go to the alps really. Its probably no real saving by then.
It all depends on cheap ryanair flights to glasgow or edinburgh etc. You will then have car rental to take into account because its the only really feasible way of getting around in scotland. Whereas you can get buses to the mountain resorts from all the alpine airports easily enough.

Steyr243Hunter

Thanks snowstream, i decided to head to Scotland for few days, i am meeting friends there so don't need to rent car. Heading for 3days skiing and 2days relaxing in Edinburgh. Just going to test the water and see if i like skiing, looking on website ski pass is 75, rental of gear 50, ski lessons 60.total 185, thinking maybe 100pounds for accommodation,another 100 for food. 385 pounds sound about right or an i forgetting anything or mis calculating?

Rowley Birkin QC

Could anyone that has done a few days in Scotland post up a cost breakdown?

Also which resort would be best to go to for intermediate-advanced skiing and budget concerns?

I've requested the brochure and will be reading up on it but I always value the opinion of the boardsies!

Have looked at the previous post but looking to hear from someone that has done it already!

Cheers!

calumquinn

skiing in scotland can be quite varied cairngorm has easily the best conditions often remaining open a month after the other resorts have closed. but it can get windy. so often it would strip any powder off the slopes leaving packed powder.
Glenshee is huge( on a scottish scale) and varied from glas maol to sunnyside it varies hugely. This is the place to go if there has been a huge dump everyone would rush to cairngorm leaving glenshee quiet and deep. although the road closes alot.
The lecht is ok really small id only recommend it if cairngorm was closed due to wind and you werent bothered driving all the way to glenshee.
I cant really comment on nevis range and glencoe because ive only been there a few times but generally are quite good although nevis range is far away from perth.
you can rent at all of the resorts if you were to go to cairngorm and glenshee stay in aviemore or perth 50min from glenshee and 1 hour 10 min to cairngorm.
while for glencoe and nevis stay in fort william.
all of the above towns are good sized.
i would recommend leaving your booking for flights/boats until last minute when a huge dump is forecast and get yourself over to scotland quick before it all gets tracked out.
this year cairngorms best conditions were in december and april/may with january february and march having a few great days but alot of it was a struggle hope it helps if you can ski in scotland you can ski everywhere and its so close hop on the boat and enjoy.
source: skiied in scotland many the time.