Hi All,

I've been using the WH site for mountain information over the past year since we moved back to Scotland. I've been having a look around the forum today, and I can see myself visiting here quite often


I've skied Cairngorm and the Lecht when we were staying in Aviemore last season, and enjoyed both. We are also back staying in Aviemore for a week over Xmas this year too, so will be up there again with the family


I'm heading up myself on Tues/ Wed this week, and need some advise on where to go please. Winds are meant to westerly according to the forecast, if that makes any difference, and I'm ideally looking for Intermediate Skiing runs for the first day of my season.

Glencoe and Glenshee are closest to me, and Nevis is not much further, so I'll highly likely choose one of these for this week as I need to balance a good day on the slopes, versus likely driving times from Glasgow to get there (assuming these assumptions are roughly correct).

Glencoe: 1hr 45min

Glenshee: 2hrs

Nevis: 2hr 15min

Cairngorm: 3hrs

Lecht 3hrs


Any suggestions from regulars on where to head please?

All round things are looking good, Cant really go wrong snow-wise wherever you go. Just watch out for the weather.

Good chances of Glenshee having all runs open by Wednesday, they will certainly have some park features by then if your into that kinda thing. Glenshee also has a load of good intermediate runs, your unlikely to get bored.

If Lecht takes you longest Id not bother, its a bit limiting for such a far travel for someone of your ability.

Cairngorm is hit & miss, But they should have allot of terrain open on wednesday. Maybe a bit too far for what its worth. I think if Glencoe, Nevis and GLenshee are significantly closer then youd be fine n dandy going to either of them.

Glencoe is best enjoyed by experts as it has some very interesting off-piste terrain. Thats not to say you wont have a good days skiing at intermediate level. But depending on what you are capable of it might be a bit limiting. Iv not been there in ages so I cant accurately comment on that.

Cant really comment on Nevis either as I havnt properly skied there.

Wherever you end up though Im sure youll have a great day, Its just the weather that will be the make or break really.

I'd be minded to keep weather as the determining factor, day to day detail not nailed on yet, though Tuesday looks more like being semi reasonable under a ridge of high pressure. Glencoe and Glenshee less affected by West winds than Nevis or CairnGorm, Glencoe can operate when Nevis is completely shut down because the different topography shelters the ski area. However Central Highlands eastwards may have better overhead with the weather coming in from the West.

Sorry, know that's not the definitive answer your looking for!

Thanks both. The comments are much appreciated



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 23.56hrs Sun 18 Dec 11 by kiwifraser.

Thanks for the comments. It appears Glenshee is the one for for Tuesday.

I'm watching them all on FB and Winterhighland for weather and snow conditions. The good news is that it looks good everywhere, so hopefully a nice long season. 

Last season I had 3 days at CG and 1 day at the Lecht but spent most of my time messing around with Mrs Kiwi and young family who all learnt to Ski last season on learner/ green/ blue runs.

I'm perfectly happy in powder, but don't find skiing on ice enjoyable at all. I really just want an easy first day on the slopes by myself to get back into the groove. I could ski fairly well 15 years ago when I worked as a patroller/ lift spinner back in NZ, but don't want to be heading straight for the red/ black runs after being out of the game for a while (and being a decade less fit than the last time I was throwing myself down cliffs).

In past times I could board reasonably well too. I bought a (hopefully) decent board/ boots on Friday from ebay, but it's not arriving till Wednesday this week sadly. Plenty of time left to play with that given it's only December