Scottish people - where and when for snow?
Discussion
A bit premature i know, but i am planning on taking mrs gti and baby gti away to scotland in feb or march. Baby gti will be 15 moths so i would really like to take him where there will be proper snow, not the 1/2 inch we get in the midlands.
Was planning on driving up and hiring a decent 4x4 to get around as her laguna is ok to plod along the motorway but not for hills or snow etc.
so, where would you guys recommend and when would be the best time (roughly) to go ie early feb, mid march etc?
Have to plan so early for leave from work etc.
Was planning on driving up and hiring a decent 4x4 to get around as her laguna is ok to plod along the motorway but not for hills or snow etc.
so, where would you guys recommend and when would be the best time (roughly) to go ie early feb, mid march etc?
Have to plan so early for leave from work etc.
It's pretty inconsistent to be honest (well, in terms of skiing quality snow at Aviemore). Glencoe often has a good covering but it's in the middle of nowhere (I love it, mind 
). The Lecht just east from Aviemore can get a decent fall though and Braemar just a bit north of there is quite nice.
Oh, don't forget to "budget" at least three hours to get there from Edinburgh area.
). The Lecht just east from Aviemore can get a decent fall though and Braemar just a bit north of there is quite nice. Oh, don't forget to "budget" at least three hours to get there from Edinburgh area.
Edited by Famous Graham on Tuesday 23 September 13:39
gti tim said:
to be honest, not interested in skiing. never been, and with baby gti there, i think its more of a break and to let him experience snow. travelling times not a problem. not sure whether to fly up to edinburgh or to drive. may fly as it is about 7 or 8 hrs drive i think.
Fair enough. I'd fly it seeing as you were thinking of hiring a car up there anyway.
Reality Check. What you are likely to experience is not snow, but rain, drizzle, sleet, mist and wind. Not that it isn't magnificent, but though it can happen, you are most unlikely to be successful advance planning a snowballing holiday in Scotland. When you do find somewhere you are near certain to have snow, like well up a mountain in Glencoe, you are also at severe risk of death from exposure. Not therefore a good spot for a small sprog. You are likely to be joined on your holiday, not by an attractive chalet girl with versatile cooking skills, but by RAF Mountain Rescue.
If you going to come to Scotland in February, find somewhere comfortable where you can have a dram or two by the fire. The Cockbridge - Tomintoul road is normally one of the first to get blocked by snow, so somewhere around there would be the ticket.
Alternatively come in May/June and enjoy good weather and the fabulous deserted white sand beaches and clear blue water of the West Coast (and I am not referring to Ayr)
If you are utterly bent on snow, fly to Geneva and go to Zermatt or Saas Fee.
If you going to come to Scotland in February, find somewhere comfortable where you can have a dram or two by the fire. The Cockbridge - Tomintoul road is normally one of the first to get blocked by snow, so somewhere around there would be the ticket.
Alternatively come in May/June and enjoy good weather and the fabulous deserted white sand beaches and clear blue water of the West Coast (and I am not referring to Ayr)
If you are utterly bent on snow, fly to Geneva and go to Zermatt or Saas Fee.
cardigankid said:
If you going to come to Scotland in February, find somewhere comfortable where you can have a dram or two by the fire. The Cockbridge - Tomintoul road is normally one of the first to get blocked by snow, so somewhere around there would be the ticket.
I can highly recomend Dalmunzie House nr Glenshee for that dram by the fire. Good rooms, some with 4 poster beds etc, great staff and wonderful food and a 9 hole golf course which when covered in snow, is great for kiddy sledging.G
cardigankid said:
If you are utterly bent on snow, fly to Geneva and go to Zermatt or Saas Fee.
There are plenty of small ski resorts that aren't really worth going to for the skiing (so they're not ludicrously expensive) but will have reliable snow. In a Scottish ski resort 50mph+ winds are a regular occurence.Why not think about going to a cheap skiing resort.
For example - Im flying out to Bulgaria (Bansko) in November [note no snow then] but flights rtn are costing £48. Ive been there for skiing and its really good fun Im a total novice but you can take you little one up one station from the top of the mountain and get the lift back down. Its I guess like any other ski resort very deep snow lots of fun with snow ball fights I guess 6 to 8 different places on the mountain to stop for drink & food. Plus if either of ski properly why not take it in turns one goes for a run or two and then swap with the other to look afterthe little one. Failing that you could all have fun right at the bottom of the nursery slope.
Plus the number of little ones on the slopes is amazing they pick it up very quickly.
Oh and get some Rakia or three over a lunch break its so much fun.
I tend to get up the mountain for 8.30 to 9am and then come back at 4.30 to 5pm but thats pretty full on and when we get to the village we just need a couple of long beers/long drinks and relax & then into the spas to really recover. You could easily go up at say 11am and then come back down for 2pm or longer/shorter.
It will be much cheaper to do that & different & its a proper ski resort than say Scotland which might have nothing.
Oh just seen online that they are due a few nights dusting of snow this week on the peaks in Bansko. Ski season starts early december and ends at the start of the 2nd week in April but there is snow at the top station until nearly the end of May (just get a taxi up rather than the ski lift as that closes or go during the season proper).
For example - Im flying out to Bulgaria (Bansko) in November [note no snow then] but flights rtn are costing £48. Ive been there for skiing and its really good fun Im a total novice but you can take you little one up one station from the top of the mountain and get the lift back down. Its I guess like any other ski resort very deep snow lots of fun with snow ball fights I guess 6 to 8 different places on the mountain to stop for drink & food. Plus if either of ski properly why not take it in turns one goes for a run or two and then swap with the other to look afterthe little one. Failing that you could all have fun right at the bottom of the nursery slope.
Plus the number of little ones on the slopes is amazing they pick it up very quickly.
Oh and get some Rakia or three over a lunch break its so much fun.
I tend to get up the mountain for 8.30 to 9am and then come back at 4.30 to 5pm but thats pretty full on and when we get to the village we just need a couple of long beers/long drinks and relax & then into the spas to really recover. You could easily go up at say 11am and then come back down for 2pm or longer/shorter.
It will be much cheaper to do that & different & its a proper ski resort than say Scotland which might have nothing.
Oh just seen online that they are due a few nights dusting of snow this week on the peaks in Bansko. Ski season starts early december and ends at the start of the 2nd week in April but there is snow at the top station until nearly the end of May (just get a taxi up rather than the ski lift as that closes or go during the season proper).
If you're prepared to fly then there are much better and more weather-safe options......
Erm.....Shameless plug here....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/697858.htm
Snow slopes from only 25 minutes drive away! ;-)
Erm.....Shameless plug here....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/697858.htm
Snow slopes from only 25 minutes drive away! ;-)
Edited by Stablelad on Tuesday 23 September 14:27
Ive been greedy for 2009 got 2 seperate week holidays .... But both are in Bansko Bulgaria, flights dirt cheap & own a place out there so zero accomodation costs.
Would have loved to be able to afford a similar place in the Alps but try ten times the cost... Anyway its a really different holiday in Bulgaria much more traditional.
I enjoy the £0.20 pints of local beers and £0.80 bottles of wine at the table... very cheap but very good & the food is dirt cheap too and really nice. One odd starter I had was called/translated to "Peasants dish" it was a deep soup bowel filled with fried chicken hearts in a really nice sauce. I like offal and always try different foods when overseas but that was the most bizarre. However the food is very good & I cannot recall ever needing a desert (Last time I went I was pushing 18 stone).... Normally have a good 7 pints during the meal & a gut full of food - total cost per person is barely £7. I kid you not.
Would have loved to be able to afford a similar place in the Alps but try ten times the cost... Anyway its a really different holiday in Bulgaria much more traditional.
I enjoy the £0.20 pints of local beers and £0.80 bottles of wine at the table... very cheap but very good & the food is dirt cheap too and really nice. One odd starter I had was called/translated to "Peasants dish" it was a deep soup bowel filled with fried chicken hearts in a really nice sauce. I like offal and always try different foods when overseas but that was the most bizarre. However the food is very good & I cannot recall ever needing a desert (Last time I went I was pushing 18 stone).... Normally have a good 7 pints during the meal & a gut full of food - total cost per person is barely £7. I kid you not.
Well, if you insist on Scotland, with a young toddler in tow I would say Aviemore for sure. Visit the reindeer centre, go up the funicular raiway thing and maybe base yourself in either Coylumbridge hotel or the MacDonald one in the middle of town both of which cater well for kids.
As suggested before there is no guarantee of snow low down although you should be able to get to some without going too far - esp about Feb time.
As suggested before there is no guarantee of snow low down although you should be able to get to some without going too far - esp about Feb time.
Stablelad said:
If you're prepared to fly then there are much better and more weather-safe options......
Erm.....Shameless plug here....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/697858.htm
Snow slopes from only 25 minutes drive away! ;-)
By God that's quite a gaff.Erm.....Shameless plug here....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/697858.htm
Snow slopes from only 25 minutes drive away! ;-)
Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 24th September 07:30
cardigankid said:
Stablelad said:
If you're prepared to fly then there are much better and more weather-safe options......
Erm.....Shameless plug here....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/697858.htm
Snow slopes from only 25 minutes drive away! ;-)
By God that's quite a gaff.Erm.....Shameless plug here....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/697858.htm
Snow slopes from only 25 minutes drive away! ;-)
Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 24th September 07:30
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