What's the best way to do skiing in Scotland?
Posted by phat_nuts11@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 16 comments
Hi everyone,
My gf and I are moving to the UK from Aus in January and want to take the opportunity to get some skiing in before we settle down. We were originally thinking of going to the Alps, but Scotland has such beautiful landscapes and we want to drive around a little and see the countryside too.
By the looks of it there are 5 main ski resorts we can go to, but VisitScotland doesn't do an amazing job of explaining the differences. Naturally, our plan is to fly in and rent a car - I'm just struggling to get my bearings and figure out which airport to fly into, and where the nearest/ best ski resort would be.
I also need to figure out the best means of accommodation. Realistically, we'll only be skiing for 2 or 3 days, so I think we'll try and find an Airbnb or something with a 20-30 minute drive to the ski fields.
We land in London on the 10th of Jan, and are starting our little trip on the 14th - is that a good time to go? Just trying to be mindful of peak times etc. Will people be back at school/ work by then?
Thank you all for reading, any advice would be very much appreciated!!
screwfusdufusrufus@reddit
Cheaper to go to the Alps
FletchLives99@reddit
Have skied in both. Ski in the Alps, visit Scotland for the scenery, castles, etc.
Scottish skiing is a bit like the low mountain skiing on the East Coast of the US (in terms of verticals). It's the kind of thing you drive to for the day if you live nearby. But it's generally warmer and wetter, so the snow is less reliable.
Inkblot7001@reddit
Seriously, unless there is an exceptional snowfall, don't bother. Just go to the Alps.
There is no guarantee of snow, enough to ski. Global warming is a thing and the Scottish Ski scene has been decimated by it.
Even the Alps now suffers, but you have some chance there.
OkChampion3632@reddit
It’s only really something you can do if the conditions are right at the last minute of the snow has already fallen and the forecast looks good (cold, no rain etc) as the majority of the time the snow will disdain a few days or it will be too windy.
These are not traditional resorts like Europe, no luxury but they can be epic if the conditions are right.
I’d say you would be wasting your money planning in advance.
Having said that if you still want to…
spectrumero@reddit
Skiing in Scotland is very hit and miss, mostly miss. The UK has a mild maritime climate (despite how far north we are, you can grow palm trees on the west coast right up into Scotland). While the Scottish Highlands can get some very cold temperatures, mostly the snow there will be heavy wet maritime snow - great for making snowballs and snowmen, but not very good for skiing.
amore_pomfritte@reddit
Get a plane to Switzerland
YellowSubmarooned@reddit
Mountain biking would be a better choice.
bbenjjaminn@reddit
Cairngorn had 5 days of snow last year and annually get 25cms average it can also be very windy, you're better off planning some stuff in the area with the opportunity to ski if the conditions allow you to.
purplepatch@reddit
Skiing in Scotland is one of those things you can do if you live nearby and you can go last minute when the conditions are right. If you plan a ski trip in advance you’re likely to be disappointed by terrible snow.
Chosen_Wisely89@reddit
I think you're out of luck. I think all of the ski centres are closed until the end of December when it gets colder. It's then going to depend heavily on the weather going into winter. If you check the cams for the Nevis Range there's no snow to go skiing on.
Final_Reserve_5048@reddit
Good luck! Our ski resorts got absolutely zero snow last year.
AdCommercial6714@reddit
Scotland is shit for skiing. plan something else .
Mop_Jockey@reddit
It doesn't actually snow as much as people think in Scotland, even at the ski resorts/centres
Have a look at this though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMlKKg31_ac
Mr5wift@reddit
I'm not a skier, but hike a lot including in the Winter. Cairngorm Mountain as gar as I am aware has the best ski facilities. The town of Aviemore would be where you'd want to stay as it's a short drive from the Cairngorm centre. Kids are in school from about Jan 6th. Closest airport is Inverness.
ASY_Freddy@reddit
While you can certainly ski in Scotland it's rubbish compared to the Alps, if you're in Scotland fill your boots; Inverness would be your best bet and go from there, alternatively Edinburgh and see the low lands en route.
I wouldn't travel to Scotland just for skiing when you can get much better skiing in mainland Europe.
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