Skiing In Scotland
Skiing
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Holiday Cottages Near Ski Resorts in Scotland
Conditions in Scotland are not as good or reliable as anywhere in the Alps, but on a clear, sunny day, and with good snow, you can enjoy some decent skiing. However, at weekends, in conditions like these, expect the slopes to be very busy. Scotland offers both alpine (downhill) and nordic (cross-country) skiing, as well as the increasingly popular snowboarding. The high season is from January to April, but it is possible to ski from as early as November to as late as May. Ski packages are available, but it's easy to arrange everything yourself and there's plentiful accommodation and facilities in and around the ski centres.
There are five ski centres in Scotland. The largest are Glenshee, which has the most extensive network of lifts and selection of runs, as well as snow machines, and Cairngorm, which has almost 30 runs spread over an extensive area. Glencoe is the oldest of the ski resorts, and the Nevis Range, at Aonach Mor near Fort William, has the highest ski runs and only gondola in Scotland, as well as a dry slope. The Lecht is the most remote centre, and is good for beginners and families and for nordic skiing. Access to all five centres is easiest by car. Each resort has a ski patrol and facilities for snowboarding.
Costs
Ski equipment and clothing can be hired at all resorts, but lessons should be booked in advance. Prices vary from centre to centre, but on average expect to pay around £13 per day for hire of skis, sticks and boots, and around £12 per day for ski clothes. Snowboard hire is around £16-17 per day for board and boots. Lift passes cost around £18-20 per day, or £68-80 for five days. Ski lessons are around £18 for four hours. Packages including ski hire, tuition and lift pass cost from around £125 to £155 for five days. These prices are for adults; prices for juniors are less.
Information
Details for each of the five resorts, including phone numbers, are given in the appropriate place in the main text. For further general information contact the Scottish Tourist Board for its Ski Scotland brochure and accommodation list, or visit their website, Ski Scotland which is updated daily. Or you can contact the Scottish National Ski Council, Tel. 0131-3177280, Scottish National Ski Council They produce a useful Snowsport Scotland Handbook.
The Ski hotline weather-report service gives the latest snow and weather conditions plus a five-day forecast. Phone: Tel. 0891-654 followed by: 655 for Cairngorm; 656 for Glenshee; 657 for The Lecht; 658 for Glencoe; 660 for Nevis Range; and 659 for cross country skiing.