Weekend in Aviemore

[raebomb]

I'm thinking about a wee break in Aviemore with my girlfriend, around xmas - new year.

I've fancied trying snowboarding for some time, my g/f has skied on dry slopes only but is up for trying the real thing.

I'm looking for recommendations on hotels, things to do, lessons etc.

...so fire away!

cheers

[Nicholas Blair]

In Aviemore you have Mcdonald Highland Resort or Hilton Coylumbridge, Frankly wouldn't stay at either although use the swimming pool at the Hilton fairly regularly.

Kingussie is about 10 miles south of Aviemore - lots of nice B&B's and a few hotels dotted about or Boat of Garten, 6 miles north of Aviemore - again loads of B&B's or http://www.boathotel.co.uk/ which is right next door to Strathspey Steam Railway. A nice homely place and a well stocked bar!

Either of those towns would be my choice.

[yellowbentines]

I've stayed in the Hilton Coylumbridge, it was OK, nothing more. It's located a drive away from Aviemore (worth noting if you want to go out at night) but dependent on the room you get the views can be spectacular. I only stayed there as Hilton often have great deals on short breaks, worth looking into - however I wouldn't recommend paying extra for a deal that included dinner, the food was dire and there's much better on offer locally in Aviemore itself.

[raebomb]

thanks for the suggestions so far, im not tied to going to Aviemore so if there's somewhere nicer near by that would do. I'd like a nice hotel though, i'm thinking about asking a certain question while we're there so i'd like it to be perfect. I've stayed in Hiltons in Aberdeen and Inverness and to be honest I wasn't impressed, maybe a small guesthouse would have better character? I like the idea of a nice view.

[Nicholas Blair]

http://www.corrourhousehotel.co.uk/ is in Aviemore - little more upmarket than others.

Haven't stayed there so no idea what it's like.

Cheers

Nick

[BigAlinEmbra]

Aye, I'll second Kingussie. Nice wee town.
Have a look at the Rothiemurchus website for non-ski slope relate activities.

[rhinochopig]

Unless you're very local, I'd go to Europe to ski if I were you. The weather can be utterly appalling up there, and it is, a lot.

Last time I was up there climbing in winter - the winds were gusting into 3 figures, a chap was killed (blown off the hill), and I came the closest I've ever done to getting frost bite - and I've skied in -30+ in Finland.

We stayed in the McDonald highland too, which was OK. Food was reasonable, the service was poor, and the rooms were decent enough - it was cheap which was the most important thing at the time.

[raebomb]

Thanks for the suggestions folks, i think i'll look up Kingussie to see what that's like as i'm getting the impression hotels in Aviemore are nothing special.

I'm kind of local, Lanarkshire, so the idea was just to jump in the car for a couple hours to get away from it all.

thanks again

[Nicholas Blair]

The Cross in Kingussie I've heard is quite good - not stayed there as the old dear is there, so bunk at hers!