Scotland snow forecast

Skiing in Scotland

Scotland has five lift-served ski centres, split between the wetter, windier west and the slightly more sheltered east. In Lochaber, Glencoe Mountain on Meall a' Bhuiridh is the oldest centre, dating from 1956, with a mix of green to black runs and some steep, avalanche-prone ground off the pistes. Nevis Range, near Fort William on Aonach Mor, is the only Scottish centre reached by gondola, from the car park up to the ski area, and has around 35 runs. The west tends to catch more snow from Atlantic storms, but it also suffers more from wind closures and sudden thaws.

In the Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorm Mountain above Aviemore has around 30 km of runs and freestyle terrain. Glenshee, on the road between Braemar and Perth, is the largest area in Britain, with around 36 runs and 22 lifts spread across several glens. The Lecht, near Tomintoul, has short, gentle runs and magic carpet lifts that make it a popular first choice for complete beginners. The east gets less natural snowfall but is better protected from the prevailing westerly winds.

Scottish snow is rarely deep or settled for long. Fresh falls are often blown into gullies, so the centres rely on snow fences beside the pistes to hold cover, and rain or freeze-thaw can change conditions within a day. The season typically runs from December to April, with February and early March the most reliable. Wind is the main reason lifts close, so checking which side of the country is calmer often decides the day.