Scotland might not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to skiing.
Sure—it perhaps hasn’t been the subject of as much luxury PR over the years as, say, France or Switzerland have—but you might be pleasantly surprised by skiing in Scotland and the quality of some of the ski resorts a little closer to home.
Scotland is a hilly, mountainous country, particularly in the Highland regions, and is a match for anywhere in the world as far as skiing is concerned.
As well as numerous outdoor resorts, Scotland also has many impressive artificial indoor slopes, making it a perfect place to ski all year round should you not quite fancy the Alps.
Here are the top 5 places to go skiing in Scotland.
1. Lecht Ski Centre
Lecht Ski Centre is about halfway between Cock Bridge and Tomintoul, near the north-eastern edge of the Cairngorms National Park—the UK’s largest national park.
The centre (often also branded Lecht 2090, in reference to it being 2090 feet above sea level) has been operating as a ski resort since the mid-70s and is the perfect place to go skiing in Scotland regardless of ability or experience.
There are 23 slopes in total—the majority of which are well suited to beginners—and despite it being Scotland’s smallest ski centre, Lecht involves zero compromises.
It’s well worth your time and money, and besides skiing, it also offers expert-led snowboarding lessons with qualified instructors.
Webcam footage from the resort is also uploaded to the website daily, allowing visitors to check the weather and slope conditions before arriving.
2. Glencoe Mountain Resort
Glencoe Mountain Resort in western Scotland—roughly 75 miles north of Glasgow—is home to the country’s longest and steepest ski slope.
Originally known as White Corries, the resort at Glencoe was actually the first commercial skiing area in Scotland and one of the first in the UK—with the first overhead ski lift built here back in 1956.
Fast-forward nearly 70 years, and there are now 20 slopes and eight lifts at Glencoe, so it’s far from the largest of resorts Scotland has to offer, but trust us when we say it still packs a punch.
The resort’s consistently strong snow yield and natural terrain mean it regularly welcomes large numbers of skiers throughout the year.
Skiing aside, Glencoe Mountain Resort is a beautiful place to stay for a few nights. The ski campsite itself is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and has 16 lodges available for rent, as well as space for caravans and tents.
3. Cairngorm Mountain
Labelled Scotland’s ‘ultimate winter playground’,Cairngorm Mountain is one of the nation’s most popular ski resorts.
Situated in the heart of Cairngorms National Park, these slopes have been a go-to for skiers and snowboarders for decades. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro, just starting out on the slopes, or somewhere in between—you’ll find your ‘place’ on Cairngorm Mountain.
The mountain itself is split into different zones to make skiing easier, safer, and more efficient for visitors. Beginner bowls can be found towards the top of the mountain, while the slightly more testing terrain poses a challenge for the more intermediate skier over on the right side.
Experts can head over to the steep Ciste sector on the mountain’s left side for an even tougher test.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Cairngorms National Park is double the size of the Lake District!
4. Nevis Range
Nevis Range is Scotland’s newest and highest ski resort, located next to Ben Nevis—the UK’s tallest mountain.
The ski area is at the top of Scotland’s only mountain gondola—a one-of-its-kind attraction built on the north face of Aonach Mòr—the UK’s eighth tallest mountain.
The gondola takes skiers from 100m to 650m up the mountain in a journey that takes around 15 minutes each way, treating visitors to gorgeous views over Ben Nevis, Great Glen, Loch Eil, and across the Western Highlands.
Skiing at the Nevis Range is not for the faint-hearted, with plenty of expert slopes for experienced skiers to test themselves, particularly on the backside of the mountain.
Nevis Range is only a short drive from Fort William, too, which is well worth a visit if you’re holidaying in this part of Scotland.
5. Glenshee Ski Centre
We couldn’t possibly talk about skiing in Scotland without mentioning Glenshee, could we?
Glenshee is Scotland’s largest ski area, spread over three valleys in the south of the Cairngorms, and with a total slope length of around 40km, so there’s plenty to go at.
Its location in the valleys means its nickname, ‘the three valleys of Scotland’, is pretty apt—and the skiing experience is pretty special here when all three valley lifts are open to visitors.
For a busy ski resort, some of the slopes here are surprisingly remote—especially on Glas Maol—the highest mountain in the Glenshee Munro range.
The resort is well-suited to skiers of all abilities and experience levels. You’ll find a decent amount of easier terrain in the middle section if you’re not quite ready for the heights of Glas Maol.
Specialist skiing insurance with Insure4Sport
Whether in Scotland or anywhere else in the world, skiing is one of the most exhilarating sports you can do, but it’s not without its fair share of risk.
No matter how experienced you are, accidents and injuries are very common in skiing, so you might want to consider protecting yourself with skiing insurance before hitting the slopes.
With Insure4Sport, specialist skiing insurance covers you for both indoor and outdoor skiing, and policies can be tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re a skiing instructor or hobbyist.
What’s more—all policies are underpinned by the Ripe Guarantee, which means you won’t find the same cover for a better price anywhere else.
Find out more here and get an online quote in minutes today.
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