Skiing Scotland

[Chris49]

Hi all,

Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Scotland?

Tempted to try it for a long weekend in 2010 along with our usual seasonal jaunt.

Any thoughts on resorts and hotels would be great?

We are looking at mid March so will the snow be any good?

Any help would be great.

Cheers guys.

[ewenm]

Snow is unreliable, so booking in advance for March may be a bit of a lottery. I skied on Cairngorm a few years ago and it was the coldest I've ever been (having skied Alps, Oz, NZ). The moist air (unlike the dry air that is usual in the Alps) and the strong wind combined to make it pretty unpleasant at times.

That said, if you get good snow and good weather for a weekend it should be fun.

[Nobby Diesel]

A wise man once said to me "if you want to put someone off skiing, take them to Scotland"

Not really any help at all.

[Bluebarge]

Chris49 said:

Hi all,

Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Scotland?

Tempted to try it for a long weekend in 2010 along with our usual seasonal jaunt.

Any thoughts on resorts and hotels would be great?

We are looking at mid March so will the snow be any good?

Any help would be great.

Cheers guys.

That's a 9.5 hour drive from Bournemouth. Courchevel's not much further - where would you rather go?

[Chris49]

Bluebarge said:

Chris49 said:

Hi all,

Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Scotland?

Tempted to try it for a long weekend in 2010 along with our usual seasonal jaunt.

Any thoughts on resorts and hotels would be great?

We are looking at mid March so will the snow be any good?

Any help would be great.

Cheers guys.

That's a 9.5 hour drive from Bournemouth. Courchevel's not much further - where would you rather go?

This is very true.

Something about Scotland appeals though, no idea why!!

[tvrolet]

At one time Scottish snow was reliable - in the 70s we could usually ski from late December through to the end of April and even later. Many a hung-over New Year's day spent at Cairngorm

Of late, the snow reliability has been pi$$-poor. You can strike it lucky and get some good days but there's even no rhyme or reason throughout the year in choosing a 'best' time - we can get good snow in January...or no snow in January. Good snow in March or no snow in March. Add to that, even when there is snow the weather can be atrocious. Horizontal sleet that will make your face bleed, rain, wind that can blow you back up the hill etc. But when it's good it can be very good - within the limitations of a 2000' vertical Plus there are a lot of very good and keen local skiers; you are unlikely to see too much posing on a Scottish slope.

I can be skiing in around 1 1/2 hours at Glenshee from leaving home, 2 hours for Cairngorm and Glengoe, and 2 1/2 for Nevis Range. I can usually organise my working week to be home for any forecast snowfall and can go at the drop of a hat. Years ago I'd have expected to be skiing pretty much every weekend from January to April. Last season I skied perhaps 5 days in Scotland Good days admittedly, but nothing I could have planned for in advance.

Much as though I do love skiing in Scotland (I started here as a young kid in '64 ) I couldn't recommend it as a ski destination any more. However, if you make a trip based on other activities in the area (like sampling the Malts in Speyside), or take a mountain bike, or expect to go hill-walking and treat skiing as a great bonus if the conditions and weather works out then fine. You should have a great time.

...ahhh memories. When I were a lad it were all [snowy] fields, as far as the eye could see..

This was me in late April 1972 - right at the end of the season - and we would still have full cover (and bumps) on the White Lady, Cairngorm. I don't think the 'Lady has been that complete for the last 10 years at any time!


Not such a great pic, as taken from a ropey photo. This was me in Coire Na Ciste at Cairngorm before they put the lifts in - so probably around 1975 or so. That would be something like 100' of snow depth in the Coire. Recently there's not been enough snow to even ski to the bottom, and the Ciste chairlifts haven't run for maybe 10 years ...and they'll never run again now.

Climate change eh? All those sods with great big V8s tearing round the country, or flying long-haul to their ski-havens in Lake Tahoe. Oh...wait...


EDITED BIT ---
OK, got a bit carried away there! You asked for advice and destinations. OK, if you really really want a SKIING holiday...don't book in advance for Scotland. Seriously.

If you want to come to Scotland with the opportunity of maybe going skiing, then great. March is probably the best bet.

Of the 5 ski areas, if you're making a 'holiday' of it, then limit your horizons to Cairngorm or Nevis Range (Fort William). None of the others have anything approaching a 'town' nearby.

If you want to book accomodation early, then go for Cairngorm. Lots of good accomodation from 'proper' hotels line the MacDonald Highland and Hilton Coylumbridge down to B&Bs. There's also lots of non-skiing activities in the area. Plus plenty pubs etc.

If you're leaving it to last minute and really want to concentrate on the skiing then bring Fort William in to the equation if the current snow report is better for Nevis Range. But Fort William really is the pits; often described, quite rightly, as the worst town in the best location in the world. It's a stunning drive up the loch-side with the sparking water, majestic peaks etc....then you arrive in Fort William Nevis Range is also far more focussed on mountain biking and the gondola has racks to take them up; not sure if that's seasonal though.

So, March for an 'outdoor' holiday in Aviemore/Cairngorm with the possibility of skiing is fine idea. Some great driving roads too! A focussed ski-holiday in Scotland is not a good idea though.

Edited by tvrolet on Thursday 5th November 12:06

[theboymoon]

Listen to Mr Ball, he speaketh the truth!

Great pics by the way!

I've had some of my very best and worst days in Scotland. As someone else mentioned its a damp cold and it can be really biting.

Such a shame because its an very beautiful part of the world but the snow reliability in Europe (and ease of getting there) makes Scottish skiing a non-starter for someone based in the South.

If you've got the itch and >need< to do it, the GO! You might like it


O/T - its my turn to have a season 'out' - currently having my left knee rebuilt after the cartilage gave up the ghost for second time. So probably no skiing for me this winter...

PS - still got a very long term ambition to ski tour Ben Macdui one April when conditions/weather/time permit.

PPS - this site gives you the current sitrep for all things Scottish skiing
http://www.winterhighland.info/general/

Edited by theboymoon on Thursday 5th November 13:11

[Chris49]

tvrolet said:

Some excellent stuff

Thank you very much for taking the time to write that, brilliant, brilliant stuff.

We had been looking at Glenshee?

I would appear that it may be better to head over seas then

Its a shame as I really do love Scotland.

[tvrolet]

theboymoon said:

O/T - its my turn to have a season 'out' - currently having my left knee rebuilt after the cartilage gave up the ghost for second time. So probably no skiing for me this winter...

That's a shame I thought you were doing something in Chamonix this winter?

I'm lined up for Tahoe again in April, but plotting another Chamonix trip maybe late January. Got some unfinished business there

..and yes, 70's, skis together, short turns on long skis. That was the way to do it. And still is . The mid 70's pic would be on a pair of 205 Hexcel Sundance IIs...bet you young whippersnappers have never heard of them. Skis with an aluminium honeycomb core that sounded like dragging a drainpipe across tarmac when they hit ice. Very nice skis though.

[theboymoon]

tvrolet said:

The mid 70's pic would be on a pair of 205 Hexcel Sundance IIs...bet you young whippersnappers have never heard of them. Skis with an aluminium honeycomb core that sounded like dragging a drainpipe across tarmac when they hit ice. Very nice skis though.

Nope. never!



O/T - the Chamonix thing is a bit up in the air at the moment, might delay until May when the knees better and in time for biking season

Edited by theboymoon on Thursday 5th November 13:53

[Bill]

Nobby Diesel said:

A wise man once said to me "if you want to put someone off skiing, take them to Scotland"

And another one said "If you're more than an hour from the slopes in Scotland, go somewhere else."



Having said that I still have fond (if rather masochistic) memories of skiing in Scotland.

[dougk]

Scottish skiing can be great but it can also test your patience. You need to be prepared to toughen yourself up when the gale force winds send ice pellets into your face with the force of shrapnel from a grenade. When you bale out on the ice that forms after the typical rollercoaster temperatures day 2 day. When standing in lift queues 25 minutes long.

Having said all that, I had a day across at Nevis 1 or 2 seasons ago under blue skies in fresh powder above my knees in the back corrie & the experience was up there with Whistler and Lake Tahoe in my book. Problem is is that most of the time conditions are like the afore mentioned white Hell

[theboymoon]

dougk said:

Scottish skiing can be great but it can also test your patience. You need to be prepared to toughen yourself up when the gale force winds send ice pellets into your face with the force of shrapnel from a grenade. When you bale out on the ice that forms after the typical rollercoaster temperatures day 2 day. When standing in lift queues 25 minutes long.

Having said all that, I had a day across at Nevis 1 or 2 seasons ago under blue skies in fresh powder above my knees in the back corrie & the experience was up there with Whistler and Lake Tahoe in my book. Problem is is that most of the time conditions are like the afore mentioned white Hell

hello chum, long time

[MrsMiggins]

I remember my first day at Glencoe. It was my 3rd ever snowboarding trip and the snow was really coming down, with a strong wind keeping it company.

I got to the top on the chair and visibility was so bad I couldn't see any signs to tell me which way to go, so I just followed the people in front who headed off to the left.

I then spent a not very entertaining time attempting to get down the mountain on a snowboard I wasn't very good on. Turns out I followed some people onto a black run and ended up falling down 'the bumhole'

Didn't put me off boarding, but now I go to the US or Canada if I'm planning a holiday.

I'd board again in Scotland during the week, but the slopes are like Oxford St a week before Xmas if you go at the weekend. Sometimes it looks like this though! That was a good day!

[JumboBeef]

Ok, thread revival....

I have never skied but living about an hour from Glenshee I really should give it a go.

What are the costs? Equipment (bought or rented). Lift passes. Anything else?

What about training? What would I need, having never done it before?

Thanks.

[malks222]

scotland can be an awesome place to go skiing, we've had some great conditions the past few years which has really helped boost things. the main thing i would say is keep an eye on the weather forecasts and snow reports and be prepared to go/ call off last minute. you really cant plan a specific day months/weeks in advance quite often the weather just doesnt agree!

but for honest conditions and reports from people using the slopes- www.winterhighland.info has a great forum section and daily condition reports from people often with pics.

cost wise you can be looking at £25/30 for a day lift pass, possibly another £20 for hiring skis/boots or board/boots (i have my own stuff and never had to bother). the cafe on-site do pretty good food, but at glenshee especially, you are close enough to your own car to go and have a picnic/ eat stuff you take with you.

on really good days though the places can get absolutely rammed, with big queues and sometimes long waits. so it pays to get there early and get out first thing while its still quiet.

if you are a complete beginner you can get lessons and stuff from each of the centres, but if you want to take full advantage of the winter season why not consider going to the indoor snowdome in glasgow to get some lessons so by the time snow starts falling on the hills you can get out and enjoy it properly instead of learning in sometimes very marginal conditions!!

[JumboBeef]

So just the lift passes and equipment to pay for. No actual cost to use the slopes?

[malks222]

nope! you'll quite often see people going off ski touring (walking up hill) and going off into the back country, if you just walk up (using skins to help on the skis) then you dont need to pay for your lift pass.

its basically the same as just going hill walking. but walking up is far too much effort for me, i only enjoy the sliding down part!

[jinkster]

I wouldn't go this time of year!

[a311]

JumboBeef said:

So just the lift passes and equipment to pay for. No actual cost to use the slopes?

Your lift pass basically covers the cost of using the slopes and lifts although there’s technically nothing stopping people getting touring skis and ‘skinning’ up hill. Your local hill will offer complete beginners lessons, in the beginning you’ll basically clip one boot into a ski and get used to the sensation of sliding on one ski, then with both on crab walking up the slope with your skis on then sliding down on a gentle slope, and learning how to slow your speed using ‘the plough’-pointing the front tips of your skis inwards. You’ll then learn how to turn using plough turns, at this stage you can get around the mountain a bit on easier slopes.

The next line of progression is moving from plough to parallel turns, most people usually progress by kind of skidding their turns before becoming completely parallel. You’re using the edges of your skis at this point and are in allot more control and can challenge steeper and trickier terrain.
Like anything people learn at a different pace. When you start out you’ll likely fall allot and have a sore backside but bare with it.

An alternative is try an indoor slope, it will be more expensive than learning outdoors but in a more controlled environment. I guess Xscape at Braehead in Glasgow will be your closet and they offer learn to ski in half or a full day courses, which by the end you should be doing plough turns and have enough control to unleash yourself on the main slope on your won. You can also rent all your gear and clothing (excluding gloves) I’d not spend any real money until you try it then second hand/eBay is your friend unless you have money to burn. Another point to make on indoor vs outdoor learning is I’m not sure where the nursery is at Glenshee, but they tend to be lower down or at the bottom of the hill and in already unpredictable conditions could be potentially dicey.
I’m a qualified instructor although I occasionally only teach a week here and there as a paid hobby. There’s various techniques to get people learning but that’s the standard practice if I were teaching a load of school kids or any age group beginners.