 Poster: A snowHead
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Think the title says it all ! Is it worth it for a few days ? Which resort ? Pro's, cons ? Have one intermediate and one absolute beginner....
Cheers 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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At any time between late October and late April, sometimes into May, conditons in Scotland can be simply fantastic - or "a bit more challenging." When it's good it's very good (like at the moment) - but when it's bad it can be, well, bloody awful.
The UK's maritime climate is the problem, together with the possibility of strong winds that can close the ski areas. The weather can change from epic snow conditions to warm winds/thaw/rain in the space of 24 hours. The trick is to never book too far ahead and never travel on the basis of a bad forecast thinking that it'll be ok when you get there. I've done that (more than once) and learned the hard way....Flexibility is the key, together with a preparedness to chuck everything in the car and just go for it when conditions are favourable.
There will be snow in February - so everything depends on the weather forecast. All of the areas have their merits and are worth a look - though the Lecht (which is very small with a vertical of only 200m) is generally regarded as a beginners area. Having said that, I had a fantastic day there on the 1st of November last season.
Winterhighland is a fantastic Scottish info site. The following link shows you Feb conditions over the past 10 years or so:
http://www.winterhighland.info/pix/pixalbum.php?pix_id=573
(Scroll to the bottom of the page for previous years pics)
Here's a link to the best weather info site:
http://www.mwis.org.uk/
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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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There can be some very cheap hotel deals in feb.... last year I stayed at the McDonald centre in Aviemore for £19 (twice)  Their rack rate is 3-4X that ....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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has most of the concrete jungle that was Avimore centre been demolished? myself and 2 friends went there Feb 1984 to learn to ski, we stopped in a bunk house type apt, it was noticeable that different night clubs opened on different nights, but the staff in them seemed to move between them like the few punters.
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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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| cockerhoop wrote: |
| has most of the concrete jungle that was Avimore centre been demolished? myself and 2 friends went there Feb 1984 to learn to ski, we stopped in a bunk house type apt, it was noticeable that different night clubs opened on different nights, but the staff in them seemed to move between them like the few punters. |
All totally gone now. Aviemore is great wee place, especially for families IMO. Although maybe not for young families attempting skiing as it always seems 10 degrees colder than the alps does.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thnaks for info - some useful pointers, cheers
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brian
brian
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Don't know what it'll be like in Feb, but the weekend coming is shaping up to be an absolute belter. (If anyone can get up the roads!)
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brian, any indications in your crystal ball of what might happen the weekend after? considering jumping on the sleeper and checking out Glencoe
(i know trying to predict scottish weather more than 3 hours in advance is a fool's errand but anyway...)
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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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brian
brian
Guest
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Arno, not really. No sign of a thaw on the way any time soon though.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Strongly recommend glenshee, book into the Fife arms hotel in Braemar if you have a car with you.
Ask them for a room on the first floor looking out to the street, it's very quiet and Is around £35 pp for bed breakfast and dinner !! Nice big fire, decent food but don't forget your plus twos and pipe.
It's best to ring them up direct and avoid the agency sites.
It's the closest decent hotel to the slopes ( unless anyone can correct me ? ) and the only snow plough which clears the road to the ski centre is parked next door.
If you are not familiar with the single road to glenshee ski centre, it's best to keep an eye open for it closing for drift snow.
We drove up from Derby and did this in feb 09 and was more than impressed with the skiing, but saying that, there are a good number of buried natural features you should look out for if the snow is deep.
Cheers
woodwood
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brian
brian
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Arno, early indications suggest the breakdown and return of atlantic storms might be held off until beyond next weekend. So tentatively looking possibly maybe interesting. 
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Agree with Glenshee. Cairngorm and Ben Nevis might look more dramatic but the ski area at Glenshee is (or seems to be) bigger.
Can't help with hotels as I go for day trips. Ski hire queues can be seriously long and when the good weather comes they run out of skis.
Keep an eye on www.winterhighland.com
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brian
brian
Guest
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McWulf, take away sunnyside/cluny etc (which is only really a transit area to get to the good bits) and it's not bigger. Plus I don't think the Tiger has filled yet. So for good skiers, options are somewhat limited for now.
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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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brian, I would be impressed if someone could get down Tiger, maybe at the fence line. Looking pretty scraped up there.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Spittal of Glenshee hotel - is it really as bad as it looks ? Fife Arms as above looks good, but 15miles on snowy, icy roads to get to the slopes as opposed to just a cople of clicks....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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austin7, check it out on Trip Advisor. 49 reviews and 56% of people would recommend that you don't stay there. If it is just a bed for the night, go for it.
Reviews can be found here. I think I would stay in Braemar.
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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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Austin7, the road from Braemar is a lot easier - ( flatter) than from Spittal and its not 15 miles, more like 10, (and there are other places which might be open to eat in Braemar)
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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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Thanks - AA routeplanner had it at 15.........
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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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Like wot glenshee skier, says...plus the Fife Arms - great hotel!
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