Snowboarding

When Scotland is blessed with perfect winter weather, the Highlands prove to be an ideal place for snowboarding.  The mountains offer great challenges for beginner and expert snowboarders alike.  The Scottish Highlands are beautifully rugged country, and you will enjoy incredible snowboarding conditions and spectacular scenery.  Overlooking ancient glens and deep lochs, a snowboarding experience in the Highlands of Scotland is like no other.  Mountains are often uncrowded and the panoramic vistas alone make the trip worthwhile.

There are a few things to consider when coming up to the Scottish Highlands for some world class snowboarding.  As always, weather in Scotland is erratic, and this includes snowfall.  The Scottish Highlands are often battered by ferocious Atlantic storms, and this is why snowfall can be unpredictable.  There have been years when the slopes have been open as early as October, and there are other years when they don’t open until the end of December.  Be sure to check with the ski centres and mountain park services to find out what the weather and snow conditions are.  The elements of nature can make Scottish mountains treacherous at times—ice hard runs, strong winds, and driving sleet or rain can often make skiing and snowboarding conditions rough.  But when the weather is grand, so is the snowboarding!  You can enjoy blue skies and no wind, and often be the first to make tracks on the slopes. 

Scotland has five areas with permanent uplift for winter sports, including snowboarding.  The Nevis Range, near Fort William, and Glencoe are in the west.  Glenshee, Cairngorm, and the Lecht are further east.  The Nevis Range, also called Aonach Mor, is the newest ski and winter sports area in the Highlands.  Access to the slopes is via gondola, and generally the snow here is good, as well as this being a great place for beginners.  Scotland’s steepest piste is found on Glencoe.  Access to the slopes is via chairlift, and when the snow is good, there is something for everyone here.  Glenshee, between Blairgowrie and Braemar, has the country’s largest lift system and the ski slopes are found on both sides of the road.  Glenshee is a great ski centre, but as it does not hold the snow as well as the others, it is sometimes the first to close for the season.  The Lecht is Scotland’s smallest ski area, located near Tomintoul.  The runs are short, and it is a good place to learn.  It usually closes first, if Glenshee hasn’t, and sometimes this is due to the area being stormbound rather than for lack of snow.  Cairngorm, or Aviemore, is an excellent ski centre, perfect for snowboarders.  It has a variety of slopes and all degrees of difficulty.  Cairngorm is also home to the funicular railway which will take you to the base of the summit in a few minutes.

Snowboarding is an exhilarating and fun winter sport, and highly popular here in the Scottish Highlands.  Bring your own gear or hire equipment at the ski centres and various outdoor centres located around the skiing areas of the Highlands.  Whether you’re experienced or just wanting to try something new, snowboarding is a great winter outing for a morning, a whole day, or even a week’s holiday or more.  Check out the various activity and ski centres throughout the mountainous Scottish Highlands and get started on your snowboarding adventure today!


Whether you are an experienced Snowboarder, you are learning to Snowboard or you haven't ever done it before, Snowboarding in the Scottish highlands is an experience that is exhilarating and fantastic fun and is not to be missed.

Ski Centres in the Scottish highlands cater for all and look out for improving your skills and providing an enjoyable time in a magnificent environment. 

Within the Scottish Highlands there are three winter ski centres to choose from; The Nevis Range features snowboarding from the 4000ft (1220m), the highest in the whole of Scotland.