The Ultimate Guide to Skiing in Scotland

One ski destination that British skiers have always had a great interest in is Scotland, but criminally few of us have actually skied there ourselves.
However, with recent events meaning the situation with international travel remains uncertain, there has been a surge in demand for information on skiing in Scotland. But just how plausible an alternative is this to the Alps? While you definitely shouldn’t be expecting 2000 metre peaks, skiing in Scotland has its own unique draw, with a lot of winter activities and some beautiful landscapes. It has five distinct mountain centres; Cairngorm, Glencoe, Glenshee, Nevis Range and the Lecht, each with its own distinct personality. Watch on to find out more!
Of course, local and national travel advice and restrictions must be followed when it comes to travelling within the UK this winter, so do check before you plan to visit Scotland this year.
Visit gov.scot/coronavirus to view the latest
However, Scotland certainly won't be going anywhere and whether it's this winter, next winter, or even the winter after that, we'd definitely suggest putting skiing in Scotland on your list.

[@jimdurie9134]

This guy clearly visits the distilleries before the ski centres. I spent my learning years skiing all these ‘resorts’. All you need to remember is the conditions are more Arctic than Alpine. If you can ski in Scotland you can ski anywhere in the world!

[@MimiKLM]

Yep, great places for masochists.

[@flippy66]

Yes, the idea that they are "resorts" is laughable. Skiing in Scotland is a bit of a joke. It can be great when the weather is good and you can just nip to the "resort", but I would never plan more than 24 hours in advance.

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@aleks1845]

This is a great video. It’s made me actually consider visiting Scotland to ski at some point. I still think it’s easier to go to France from London though.

[@jamesfletcher1689]

I think it is if u are down south but are if u are in the North driving to the alps takes alot longer to drive

[@Gg-zd8xz]

It’s also about the guarantee of snow. I can book in advance two weeks in tignes or courchevel knowing with a reasonable degree of certainty that there will be decent snow. You can’t do that in Scotland - it’s much more deciding on the day/the night before. That’s much more feasible if you’re in Scotland already/northern England than if you’re in London like you and me

[@callumrushton3934]

I was on Isle of Skye this summer doing the cullin and got taking to some guy from London, he had flown to Inverness and then rented a car to get to Skye. Know it wouldn’t be practical with a set of skiis but you’d be alright if you were renting.

[@2000mogsy]

I’ve skied in the Alps most of my life, mostly to France, Italy and Austria, but finally giving Scotland a go next month. It’s a 9-hour drive (non-stop, but including breaks and traffic you are looking around 11-12 hours. So from where I live, the Alps, France especially is probably much easier, but in the northern half of the country, Scotland is easier and only a few hours reach.

[@jeremykemp3782]

@@2000mogsy update ?

[@williamb4652]

I’ve been skiing for 50 years. Best day’s skiing I ever had was on Cairngorm in 1979. Up to the top, walk round the back of the summit and across to Lurchers. Unbelievable views.

[@flippy66]

It's funny how nostalgia works.

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@Jeanalexandre_]

I went to Glenshee Ski Centre last year and I have to say that it was PERFECT!! The weather isn’t a huge problem anymore because now all of them have snow makers machine so you can basically go anytime you want during the winter and will be certain to have fun. This year they’re having the best winter in a decade, snowing everyday since November and temperatures as low as -25°C. It’s a shame all of them are closed due to covid restrictions. My tip: I stayed in a cosy small town callled Ballater. It’s easy going from Aberdeen and it’s minutes driving from Glenshee or Letch ski centre. It’s also close to many touristic attraction and only 10 minutes away from Balmoral Castle. You can have a proper winter holiday in the mountains around there. I highly recommend.

[@craigharkins4669]

I live in Dundee and during all the snow we had in the city I couldn't help but think how amazing it must be up in glenshee. It sucks so much i couldn't go. Hopefully next season we will be able to.

[@Jeanalexandre_]

@@craigharkins4669 It's amazing around Dundee. I'm doing an escape plan to leave London and go up Northeast Scotland one day. Somewhere between Dundee and Aberdeen but definitely as closer as I can get to Cairngorms National Park. I just fell in love with all the people and nature.

[@mayankrathi505]

Hi! I am new to uk. i am thinking of going to scotland to learn. which month i should go and where?

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@SmudgeB._.]

I’m a Scottish snowboarder I have to agree definitely recommend

[@EdgarSnowSki]

I visited Glenshee few years ago, about 8 hours driving from Yorkshire. The forecast was fresh wind, in reality it was really blowing you could barely stand upright, only few drag lifts been open with 30 mins queues on them for 1 minute down run. The next day the weather was perfect, however I could not get to the car park, because it been overfilled and there was no other option to park, miles of car queues on the road, so had to go back home with little joy. These are great places for locals, for anyone else, I would think twice.

[@azi_yt]

That's the problem. You have to go to all these resorts on a mediocre day when people think the weather will be rubbish but it's actually alright. That's when the highest lifts open to queue times ratio is. You can't go to Glenshee on a good day.

[@flippy66]

Completely agree.

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@fdavie2]

Cool video, never snowboarded in Scotland but would love to 👍

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@Simwil33]

I'm a keen slalom skier, even had a ski season traveling the Alps as a race coach and easily one of my most memorable and happy days skiing was when I went to Glencoe. Absolutely incredible day skiing, snow was perfect and blue skies all around. The biggest memory was that they had to close the lift because it had set on fire and there was a lot of smoke coming out of it. Then somehow approx an hour later the same lift was perfectly functional and running well. Fantastic fun, great slopes and fantastic community.

[@Inthesnowmag]

Great comment thanks for sharing

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[@scottriddell5501]

Not loads of people pushing there way to the front either in Scotland so that's a plus. I've skied Scotland most of my life and absolutely love it . I've also skied plenty of resorts in Europe and Canada and a good day in Scotland is almost as good. It doesn't pretend to be anything else but Scottish skiing but if we don't go there it will surely close down so give it a try you might be surprised😁🎿

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@gavinnorthants]

I had a friend who was told not to come to work due to snow! He checked the roads and all the motorways were clear and snow conditions in Scotland were not too bad. So booked a week off work over the phone which they were happy with as did need to pay him and he had a blast in Scotland.

[@japjotsingh3266]

Thanks for the video, Sir. Really helped.

[@pagedown4195]

As a swede I must say it´s very similar to the Scandinavium mountains. I would definetly consider going to Scotland for skiing.

[@Pyszu]

Looks amazing, definitely Scotland will be our next snowboarding destination, we used to go to Poland but this year’s conditions are very disappointing and prices went up so high it is no longer attractive for us to travel here from the UK. I will rather stay within UK next time if it is as good as it looks on your video 👍

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@Puzzoozoo]

Tried skiing there a long time ago with the Warrington Ski Club when I was in my mid to late 20's, on the second day the so called instructor took us complete beginners down a red run - Duncans Drop & Goose [Fort William Resort] with both full of large icy moguls, a truly awful day, by stopping and starting and falling multiple times in about 20 minutes I got two thirds down, but the slope got steeper and it became so scary I took my ski's off and walked down the side of the rest of the run, and for the rest of the long weekend I was just mentally counting down the hours till I could go home, and I swore I'd never try skiing again, and 40 years later I haven't.

[@Inthesnowmag]

Omg what a story!!! Horrendous

[@andydunn5673]

30 years skiing in the Alps and I’m going to try Scotland this season

[@MimiKLM]

So, what was your experience? I’m in Aviemore now, but it is a big disappointment, unfortunately…

[@flippy66]

Don't do it.

[@ramthian]

So beautiful place 🥰

[@seb1things1]

Just looking to get a holiday there in november. I hope I get snow.....

[@khaleesi5285]

Biggest flex- I live right next to glenshee

[@markdormer7959]

we've got some of the best ice, gravel, grass and arctic blast winds in the business. You want to know how to quickly move from edge to edge with zero visibility? SKI SCOTLAND

[@MimiKLM]

Agree, you have to be a masochist to ski in Scotland and be happy.

[@alwaytheG]

I go every year I live 1 and a half hour away

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@flippy66]

As someone who lives near Glenshee and has worked in Ft William, videos like this always make me laugh. The weather you see in these video is so seldom, and you absolutely cannot plan ahead. It's cheaper and easier to spend a week in the Alps than in Scotland, and you'll be more more guaranteed of the conditions. Skiing in Scotland is just not worth it unless you can do so at very short notice. It can be great, but not a patch on other places even at the best of times. These people who have skied for 50 years and had their best ever day in Scotland have not been skiing in the right places for 50 years.

[@sonnynike1396]

how is it cheaper to ski in the alps than in scotland?

[@AaronClimbsShit]

Which resort would you advise for beginners? We have a campervan so accommodation isn’t an issue.

[@Inthesnowmag]

So many. Depends on so many things. Maybe Montgenèvre, Val d’Isère, tbh most places have great beginners areas... So many factors to consider. Mail us if you need more guidance or talk to crystal or Skiweekends.com

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[@EV-Diary]

When you say different to the alps, what do you mean? Conditions? Weather? Atmosphere

[@Shooting-Up]

Probably because in the Alps it is permanent snow and if you go for a week you can ski for a week In Scotland it can be hit and miss as the snow can melt and then you need to wait for it to snow again and also the weather on mountains in Scotland can be treacherous and very dangerous at times But I'm sure it's worth the drawbacks as it looks beautiful

[@pascalsaint-alary7756]

NO, HE SIMPLY MEANS SNOBBERY... (FRENCH SNOBBERY!!!)

[@Inthesnowmag]

It's pros and cons really. There's no guarantee of quality snow in Scotland, and ipso facto there's no guarantee of any powder. As another commenter also said - the weather can be wet and hostile. BUT... All of this being said... It's a ski resort on our doorstep! Perfect for weekend getaways and a great resort to flex your abilities in. The apres ski scene is obviously very different too, but adds to the experience of the visit. It may be small bit it is mighty. 😎

[@williamb4652]

Biggest issue is the weather

[@MimiKLM]

Everything Aaron. After being in Alps last 10 years, skiing in Sco is a nightmare. Saying everything I mean: quality of the slopes, quality of crucial infrastructure, there id NO après-ski facilities in 4 out of 5 “resorts” he mentioned, in Aviemore you have to pre-book your passes, and very rapid and unpredictable weather changes. The 50-70% what is used to get you on the top is Scottish summits hangs as a museal exhibits in Austrian and Italian Alps.

[@thelr90guy71]

Which are the best months to ski in Scotland ?

[@saitdesigns]

Do all these areas get snow anymore?

[@georgeking3949]

Which one is best for aprés ski partying?

[@jackjackmillar]

none really mate, they're pretty rural, Aviemore and Fort William have a few pubs but that's it

[@jamieluke8386]

Best park to go to for ramps?

[@TheDoctorPretzel]

Cairmgorm builds the best park, but they don't usually build it till later in the season and it's at the top of the hill so sensitive to wind. Nevis had a nice kicker set up when I went

[@PompeyBoy66]

No way would I travel there to ski. It's easier to fly to Austria dude.

[@craigharkins4669]

If you live in Scotland it's alright.

[@animovie1]

If you live in the south of England there is absolutely no reason to go to Scotland for skiing. Its just as easy to go to France for a week. And when you factor in travel and lodging France isn't really that much more expensive. I live in Aberdeen so it's good for me because I can check the weather and go on a good day and be back in my house for tea. The problem is that if you book a week off to go skiing in scotlsnd even a month in advance there is no guarantee that there will even be snow.

[@MimiKLM]

Indeed. 100% agree.

[@leonbeale7105]

Great video, good to pull together all the various locations with the pros and cons of each! I'm curious if anyone has experience of skiing Scotland around February time, are the snow conditions OK... i.e. decent enough base and cannons running mean you can do at least some skiing (I'm not too worried if we don't get knee deep powder days as I want to take my 6 year old for her first trip)?

[@flippy66]

Impossible to answer because conditions and weather change from day to day. If you're not within a couple of hours driving distance go to the Alps.

[@Inthesnowmag]

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[@Inthesnowmag]

Exactly. I'm afraid. Don't forget to subscribe it really helps us bring more reviews! 🙏🏻

[@ramthian]

🥰🥰🥰😻❤️❤️❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@antonioe5299]

Daje

[@Deadly2512]

For the price??? Naaaa!! 30 runs!!! Naaaaaa!!

[@finlaycraig1810]

Stick to day trips

[@chadleywinnets]

Snow looks utter gash

[@Inthesnowmag]

ha ha I guess it's all about time of year, same as any resort, you na get some pretty damn good days up here :). worth a try just watch the forecast

[@thefriendlyboy6125]

Help sudan land for farming fish for business