UKC

Hey,

Basically my bro has just learnt to ski indoors and is looking for his first taste of snow and I wondered where the best place to take him in Scotland would be? I'm ideally after somewhere he can get to grips with snow whilst I can run some stuff as well (i'm experienced on skis).

We're staying in Killin climbing and can only get 1 day away to ski so am looking to get the most we can from the day. Any advice would be awesome.

Cheers all,

John

In reply to JDSwain:


When everywhere is available, I'd say Glen Shee every time, personally--best for beginners, best for experts, best for variety.

However, I'd suggest some meteorological research before you go, because the weather's a bit iffy just now. Too warm, which may mean you should go as high as possible, i.e. Cairn Gorm or Aonach Mor.

Two good places to check it all out:

http://ski.visitscotland.com/conditions/

http://www.winterhighland.info/general/

In reply to JDSwain:

PS A good option if the weather's useless, two hours' drive or so from Killin:

http://www.ice-factor.co.uk/

In reply to JDSwain:

From Killin, Glencoe (and probably Nevis Range too) will be much easier and faster to get to than Glenshee or Cairngorm and because the snow coverage is so very good in the west this winter, there should be plenty of easier terrain accessible for your brother. On the other hand, Glenshee's lifts are rarely affected by the strong westerly winds that'll close NR's gondola and Glencoe's access chair. Under those circumstances, the skiing there might be unpleasant in gale force winds but its lifts are likely to run. Glenshee is a bit of an all-rounder really and lots of fun can be had there by any boardfer or skier but it's not Scotland's 'best for experts' ski area. In that respect, Glencoe has more challenging lift-served skiing and NR has more challenging off-piste.

In reply to JDSwain:
Yea i'm more worried about conditions than anything else, I got back from the alps Friday as was shocked by the thaw whilst I was away. I was originally thinking Glencoe or Anoach Mor as its closest but think Glenshee maybe a better bet as theres more to do if conditions permit. I reckon a phone call the night before we go could be a good shout.

In reply to JDSwain:

This is a useful site for a regular general conditions report: http://www.winterhighland.info/general/

In reply to JDSwain:

Has anyone been out this week and can comment on conditions?

In reply to JDSwain:

http://www.winterhighland.info/publicreports/

In reply to JDSwain:

Sweet, cheers bro

In reply to JDSwain:

at the moment glenshee are reporting no complete beginner runs, whereas both nevis and glencoe have ample and complete beginner pistes plus they still have amazing cover higher up for yourself (and far better terrain than glenshee). personally I would recommend making the decision between nevis or glencoe the night before, or even on the day once you have a decent weather forecast.