 Poster: A snowHead
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Does anybody go skiing in scotland? If so when do you go and how do you get there? How good is it?
Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I would second Boardski's post.
It is a 4 hour drive from where I live and I haven't seen really good snow yet. Icy, foggy, windy, rainy .... plenty of that. Only did Glenshee and Caingrorm at weekends only.
There is a saying that if you can manage skiing Scotland you can ski anywhere in the world. Think there is some truth in it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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xxx
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 19-10-04 9:59; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Reluctantly I have to agree, thats what the last few years have been like. Hardly ever enough snow and bad conditions regularly. But it used not to be like this 20 or even 10 years ago. Then you could be fairly sure there would be enough snow any time you went up. The snow might be boilerplate most of the time from the wind, but there were quite a lot of good days. One of my first experiences was making first tracks down deep powder in the back bowl at Nevis Range ( Photo from the good bit last season ).
There have been lots of threads on this, including the tentative idea of a Snowheads visit this coming season. Well, we might suddenly get a good season again.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've been twice, both years ago. First time 1 day at Glen Shee, couldn't ski, stoned, brilliant time. 2nd time weekend at Aviemore, could ski, not stoned, most unpleasant skiing conditions I've ever experienced, pissing down, slopes either ice or water skiing, unbelievably squalid facilities.
No doubt Aviemore's better now.
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Yes,
The Scots and people living in the north of England do.
It doesn't really compare with the Alps but those who ski there tend to be passionate about it because it does offer special experiences that are not found in the Alps.
The conditions are usually rather variable. They can however be superb. Three years ago the cairngorms had the best skiing in the northern hemisphere. There seems to be a correlation between poor skiing in the Alps and good skiing in Scotland.
Despite a poor season last year there were still some great days. Have a look at these pictures from Glencoe http://winterhighland.com/glencoe/pics_17_jan_04.php
To get the good conditions you have to be flexible, but I've always found it worth the effort. Besides if the skiing is poor or closed then there always plenty of other things to do, especially if you are keen on other outdoor activities.
The skiing is generally more challenging than most mainstream resorts and because of that the standard of skiing is surprisingly high, higher than most large interconnected Alpine stations anyway. Its no accident that Britains best skiers and snowboarders tend to be Scottish.
It really is true that if you ski in Scotland, everywhere else will seem easy. 
If you regard it as a valuable addition to your skiing season rather than a replacement, then you probably won't be dissapointed.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Two websites:
Ski Scotland
WinterHighland
You can drive up (about 9 hours driving from London), or take a night train (eg for West coast - to Glasgow overnight, then change for Fort William or hire a car), or fly (Glasgow for West coast) then hire car...
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 27-10-04 0:24; edited 1 time in total
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IF - the conditions are working- it's worth the effort for a mid-week trip....weekend crowds can be horrendous when the snow is decent - had a foot of powder at Nevis Range 2 years ago me, couple of boarder mates and about 50 others - with blue skys - bliss
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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oooh ooo look at the snow at cairngorm! So exciting!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Vicky, yes people do go skiing in Scotland. They are the Special People. The Chosen Ones.
They are all completely bonkers.
For example: see that couloir? (the adding of "Jimmy" to this question is optional).
Do you think anyone would be mad enough to ski it? Would you ski it?
Well, if you look carefully about a third of the way down you will see Gavin.
And here a bit further down is Ben.
As I said: completely bonkers.
Pictures from CairnGorm Mountain - Sunday 16th May 2004, as seen on Winterhighland .
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Vicky, I lived in Scotland for two years in the early 90s. In that time I had about a weeks worth of good days.....
From here in the sunny southeast, I can be in Chamonix two hours faster than Cairgorm. The White Lady, West Wall etc can be fantastic.....but given the choice, I think the Grands Montets would win.
However, you should go at least once. If you're lucky, you'll have a fantastic day's skiing which you'll probably remember for ever, if not, well there's alwats whisky tasting.
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You know it makes sense.
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Personally I prefer Nevis range (and Glencoe down the road) because of the back bowl (see pic of entry point in my post above) and not having the snow fences hemming-in all the pistes, which are an eyesore. Also I think the views are even better (you can see the sea and ranks of mountains to the Cuillins in Skye in clear weather).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Scottish ski-ing is as good as anywhere in the world on a good day. It's sad they've had several bad winters lately, but the weather's not as bad as it's made out - it rains at least as many days per winter in LDA as it does in Aviemore (and it's colder).
Sadly though, I have to echo the other sentiments: if you can go on the spur of the moment as an extra it's brilliant, but to book your one week of the year ........ well, it would be hard to recommend it. Easter can be good though, andyou can always go pony trekking or visit distilliaries if there's no snow! Aviemore is only 30 mins to visit Nessie too. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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easiski, what kind of aircraft do you use when you visit Nessie from Aviemore?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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handyman, A land-based submarine 
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