A guide to where to go skiing in Scotland

Skiiers enjoy the slopes on the Nevis Range. Picture: Stephen McKenna

SKI season is about to begin in Scotland – Alison Campsie rounds up Scotland’s main indoor and outdoor slopes

Snow is falling across the peaks of Scotland and winter sports fans across the country have one eye on the forecast as preparations are made for the new season. We take a look at Scotland’s main ski and boarding destinations. With each resort offering lessons and equipment hire, there are few reasons not to wrap up, head to the hills and make an active day of it in some of Scotland’s most stunning surrounds.

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN

One of the most beautiful - and sometimes challenging - places to ski in the UK with the north facing corries and slopes holding more snow for longer over the season. It has the highest number of season ticket holders of all the ranges in Scotland, so gets incredibly busy but the resort proudly boasts Scotland’s only funicular railway, meaning that visitors can move around the resort relatively quickly.

In late January, the Aviemore Dog Sled Rally arrives with over 200 teams of Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, Greenlands and cross-breeds competing in Europe’s biggest competition of its kind.

HOW TO GET THERE: Located a short distance from the main A9 Perth to Inverness route. It will take around three hours from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to get there by car.

COST: Day pass £35 for adults and £21 for juniors. Equipment hire, including skis, around £24. Clothing can be rented from £14.80 for adults.

GLENSHEE

Glenshee offers the most varied terrain for skiers and boarders with suitable terrain for snow sports fans of all levels.

Stretching over 2,000 acres, Glenshee covers four mountains and three valleys with visitors ferried across the resort by a selection of 21 lifts and tows.

Sudden changes in weather and conditions mean that a trip to Glenshee is usually arranged at the last minute, so keep your eye on web cams and forecasts. Great conditions can be found here right up to April.

HOW TO GET THERE: Located on the A93, you can reach Glenshee from the North East via Braemar and from the south via Perth and Blairgowrie. In the car it will take around 2 hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow and 1hr 45mins from Aberdeen.

COST: Adult pass £30/junior £20. Ski hire £22 for adults, £11 children. You can hire a ski suit from £12 a day.

GLENCOE

Home to Scotland’s largest vertical descent - The Fly Paper - Glencoe has always been popular for the more hardened snow sports fan.

Its exhilarating terrain is set amongst incredible scenery with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere topping off Glencoe’s reputation as one of the best resort out there.

Conditions are of course variable but a trip here during the week and you could feel like you have the place to yourself, which would feel pretty amazing.

HOW TO GET THERE: Located on the A82, 26 miles south of Fort William and 23 miles north of Crianlarich.

The A82 from Dumbarton near Glasgow will carry you north all the way past Loch Lomond to Crianlarich, Tyndrum and finally over Rannoch Moor.

From the east, take the A84 from Perth or the A85 from Stirling.

COST: An adult weekend day pass will cost £32 or £20 for juniors. Beginners can hit the baby slopes for just £20. Skis and poles or snowboards hire is £25 or £20 for juniors. No clothing hire.

THE NEVIS RANGE

Ben Nevis is the stunning backdrop to Scotland’s newest ski range, which offers the highest skiing and boarding in the country.

The centre prides itself on challenging terrain and easy access to off-piste skiing.

The back terrain has been ranked amongst the best in Europe with the base of the snow sports area reached by the gondola, which transports visitors 650 metres up the Aonach Mor.

February and March are the best months for skiing here, when prevailing westerlies fill in the snow to the back bowls. Free ride clinics and back corrie workshops are a speciality here.