United Kingdom Ski Guide

The UK is known for many things but generally skiing isn’t one of them! There are however 5 main resorts located in bonny Scotland. Whilst you certainly won’t find towering mountains, the centres can certainly serve as a great place for beginners. Skiing in Scotland can also act as a cheap alternative for a quick skiing fix without the cost of travelling to a more established European resort.

Find out more about driving in the UK, or read our UK travel guide. You may also like to view our car hire UK destinations.

Ski resorts in the United Kingdom

Glencoe

Located at the southern end of an impressive valley, Glencoe is long regarded as the best skiing area in Scotland. The centre is open 7 days a week with skiing instruction available and equipment hire on offer. You will find 2 black runs, 7 red runs, 6 blue runs and 4 green runs, with black runs appropriate for advanced skiers and green runs aimed at beginners. There are 9 ski lifts in operation which have the capacity to transport 4,300 skiers per hour. The centre boasts Scotland’s longest lift-served vertical descent of 2600ft. Snowboarding is also popular with some excellent freestyle runs.

Closest airport: Edinburgh Airport

Cairngorm Mountain

This centre is located around 16km from the village of Aviemore and has direct access to a total of 23 pistes with 12 ski lifts in operation which can serve 8,000 people per hour. You will find 2 black runs, 7 red runs, 8 blue runs and 11 green runs at a resort altitude of 1,762ft. Snow cover can be variable but there can be good falls anytime between October and June. Aviemore is the place to go for après ski activities.

Closest airport: Edinburgh Airport

Nevis Range

This centre is located next to Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis and is the newest ski area in Scotland. There is a quad chair available for use and is in fact the only one in the UK. In addition, skiers benefit from 12 lift in total including a gondola which gives it something extra. The lifts are able to support a capacity of 9,600 skiers per hour. The resort has direct access to 35 pistes with 20km of downhill skiing. All abilities are catered for here with 5 black runs, 11 red runs, 12 blue runs and 7 green runs. This is a great family resort which can also accommodate enthusiasts as well as beginners. Fort William hosts much of the après ski entertainment.

Closest airport: Edinburgh Airport

Glenshee

Glenshee is one of the largest resorts here with runs extending over three valleys and as such it offers more marked piste routes and ski lifts than any other centre in Britain. There are 36 pistes in total with 40km of downhill skiing which is served by 21 ski lifts. You will find 2 black runs, 13 red runs, 13 blue runs and 10 green runs to choose from. The large number of ski lifts can serve a huge 18,509 skiers per hour. As with all resorts due to the altitude of 2,133ft, snow cover can be variable however there are 6 snow cannons which are capable of producing natural snow.

Closest airport: Edinburgh Airport

The Lecht

This resort has direct access to 20 individual pistes which can be reached via 14 ski lifts which can transport 10,000 passengers per hour. Once again the resort is at a fairly low altitude of 2,083ft but there are 6 snow canons which are able to produce snow on 4 of the pistes should natural snow cover fall short. The actual skiing area is relatively compact with something to suit everyone; there is 1 black run, 5 red runs, 9 blue and 7 green runs. In comparison to other resorts, the Lecht is fairly sheltered from the wind which is an additional bonus.

Closest airport: Edinburgh Airport