Ski Mountaineering in Scotland
We generally have neither the best snow or the best weather in Scotland for skiing and snowboarding. High winds, mild weather in the middle of January and mountains that are just not quite high enough all lead to a lot of frustration. However at least for those of us who live here the travelling time is short. Here are a few photos and brief ideas for ski touring and mountaineering in various parts of Scotland......
The snowiest mountains in Scotland are generally the northeast and the Cairngorm mountains, but in these areas the hills tend to be covered in heather and so may require deeper snow to be skiable. Near the west coast the hills are often grassy so sufficient snow cover builds up quicker, but mild westerly air strips snow quicker as well. Flexibility is the key to successful skiing in Scotland, being lucky enough to get the time off, recent snow cover and weather in just the right combination. Also useful are an old pair of skis and skins, good kick turning and step turning techniques and an ability to pick a good line where the grass shows through the snow.!
Cairngorms & Eastern Highlands
Lochaber & Western Highlands
On the traverse of Aonach Mor, Lochaber
One of the best areas for touring in Scotland are the high peaks and plateaus of the Mamore range, just near Fort William. The summit of Aonach Mor in particular makes a very easy day out due to the presence of a gondola uplift (telecabine). A longer option is to ski round from Aonach Mor over Carn Mor Dearg and onto the summit of Ben Nevis, at 1344m the highest peak in Scotland. Some of this tour is pretty steep terrain.
Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg from Aonach Mor, Lochaber, Scotland
Setting off for Aonach Shasuinn on a nice day at Hogmanay 2001.
Cairngorms & Eastern Highlands
There is more good skiing in the Cairngorms towards the east of the Scottish Highlands, and they tend to get more snow and slightly better weather......although I have also had to drag my skis along the ground while crawling into a 150kph wind here...... A classic tour here is the round of the Northern Corries, passing over the summits of Ben Macdui, Cairn Lochan and Cairngorm. Conditions here are generally at their best later in the winter and in early spring (i.e. late March and April).
Five skiers in a whiteout on the summit of Cairn Lochan, 1999.
Around the ski resort of Glenshee are a number of good long and short day tours accessed from the A93, one of the highest roads in Scotland. Suggestions include Carn an-t Sagairt Mor and Lochnagar form Invercauld near Braemar, and the Carn an Tuirc to Glas Maol traverse immediately northeast of the Glenshee ski area.
Above and Below - Good touring conditions on Cairn a'Claise, near Glenshee, Scotland.
.....and setting off for Carn an-t'Sagairt Mor at the bridge over the River Dee.
Central Highlands
There is more good ski touring in the Central Highlands, Ben More and Stob Binnein by Crianlarich, Ben Alder southwest of Dalwhinnie and the grassy hills of the Ben Lawers range all provide plenty of high and steep terrain for some good skiing.
Skiing from the car along the Ben Lawers road, heading for Meall Corranaich and Ben Lawers. Good conditions for practising step turns and kick turns on the way back down.
...and high on the ridge of Meall Corranaich we met with blizzard conditions and tricky skinning. But it was all worthwhile for the 600m of vertical descent down the northwest gully which was on beautiful hard winter snow.
Galloway & Southern Scotland
Myself and Linda skinning up Corserine after a good run down from Carlin's Cairn, Rhinns of Kells Galloway. Photo courtesy of Stephen Reid at Needlesports
For more on skiing in this most unusual corner of Scotland see my new page on Galloway Ski Touring at www.johnbiggar.com
Practical stuff
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| When to go | March and April are probably the best months for skiing in Scotland, but the climate is really unpredictable as far as snowfall is concerned and any time from November through to June could be good. |
| Where to go | Fly to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness, or drive up the M6 or M1 if you're living in England. |
| Costs | Costs are not too bad. |
