Skiing
The top 10 places to go when it snows in the UK
Fancy hitting the slopes this winter but want to stay close to home? Break out the skis or snowboard and try one of these spots in the UK.
Unpredictable weather can make skiing or snowboarding in the UK a little difficult to plan. Well, that and the fact that there’s only a handful of actual snow resorts in the UK anyway. That’s why a lot of ski trips in the UK are on a whim. You wake up, look outside, see snow, or a promising photographic update from a resort you follow on social media, and off you go for the day.
So, we’ve put together a list – in no particular order – of the best places to ski and snowboard in the UK when the snow does arrive to give you a few ideas. Get to your nearest or your favourite fast when the white stuff falls – because who knows how long it’ll last!
Scotland
1. Glenshee Ski Centre
When it comes to snowsports in the UK, Scotland is the best. There’s no two ways about it. That’s not the greatest news if you live in the south of England, where you can probably get to Chamonix quicker than the Scottish Highlands, but the overnight sleeper train has made this a much more accessible option now, even for people who live as far south as London.
Glenshee is the largest ski area in Scotland with over 40km of pistes. It's a bit further south than the Cairngorms, and most of those runs are blue and red runs. There's also a great area for beginners. On top of the pistes, Glenshee has a terrain park, a natural quarter pipe and a whole lot of backcountry access to explore too, if you're up to it.
2. Lecht 2090
Not to be confused with Austrian ski resort Lech, with 340km of marked slopes, the Lecht is a resort in Aberdeenshire with about 18km of slopes. You won’t get schnitzel. But you will get haggis. And you will get snow – thanks to snowmaking facilities on the premises.
The Lecht was set up in the 1970s and has grown into a great little resort in Aberdeenshire. It has since been renamed Lecht 2090, coming from the fact that it is based 2090 feet (645m) above sea level amid the Eastern Cairngorms.
Most runs are blue or black but there is a black running from the peak of the mountain to the bottom, and the Lecht also has a terrain park and plenty of green runs.
3. Glencoe Mountain Resort
Glencoe must be one of the most photographed places in Scotland. Every second image of the country seems to be of the beautiful little cottage, surrounded by mountain faces, that you’ll pass on your way to the resort (pictured above).
You’ll find Glencoe on the west coast of Scotland just below Ben Nevis, on Meall a’Bhuiridh mountain. There are 20 runs of varying difficulty, but again, Glencoe is also a great hub for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
The main lift offers fast backcountry access to a bunch of routes in the famous White Corries area, and you can even practice your transceiver skills at Glencoe's onsite BCA training zone, or take some lessons, if you’re unsure about yourself in the wild.
Glencoe has been known to hold Freeride World Tour qualifiers in the past, which is a clear sign of the skiing level out in those hills.
4. Nevis Range
Next to the Highland town of Fort William and therefore easily accessible by train from the Scottish cities or overnight sleeper train from London, the Nevis range not only has 35 ski runs, it also provides access to backcountry skiing that can rival the best.
Jump in Scotland's only mountain gondola to get a quick boost to 650m, then warm up on a green or blue before taking on the reds of the freeride area or terrain park in the shadow of Ben Nevis – the largest mountain in Scotland.
The best skiing, of course, is in the backcountry here, but if you’re going to take that on, make sure you have appropriate equipment, knowledge and training.
5. Hillend Ski Centre
“Hillend?” we hear you ask. “But isn’t that a dryslope?”
Well… yes, it is, but don’t vomit up your breakfast just yet. Hillend Ski Centre, just 30 minutes bus trip from the city centre of Edinburgh, is the biggest dryslope in the UK. But when it snows, it can be much more than that.
If you’re not able to get out north to one of the resorts, Hillend’s little lift can provide a lot of fun, and if you do get bored with the admittedly limited options, and you have your backcountry equipment with you, you can use the lift as a warm up, then use it to provide you with quick access to the Pentland Hills, just behind the resort, where you’ll find plenty opportunistic skiers with their skins on when the snow comes in the Scottish capital.
6. Cairngorm Ski Resort
CairnGorm Mountain have confirmed plans to open for skiers and snowsports this winter despite some problems with their funicular railway.
At the time of writing, the funicular railway and Ptarmigan building are closed while a structural inspection continues on the railway, and additional season pass sales are paused until the Mountain has "greater clarity over our funicular railway operations".
The railway is essential in getting skiers and snowboarders up the mountain, so it’s as of yet unsure how much of the mountain will be available to ride. Make sure you check the official CairnGorm site for updates before heading over that way, or give them a ring on the phone. When it’s at its best of course, CairnGorm can be some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Scotland.
England
7. Raise, Cumbria
When the snow falls perfectly, just the right amount, on those lucky days, Raise in the Lake District can offer some proper skiing.
The most alpine resort in England, with the tow at 800m, there’s a lot of action on Raise, but the runs are left as nature intended and things can get a little bumpy – so make sure you’re ready for an unpredictable day.
The downside? Getting up to the ski area means a hike that will last you about an hour.
The upside? Downhill runs of up to 500m, not only great snow but spectacular views, and if the snow is just right you can ride pretty much all the way back to the carpark at the end of the day, meaning the bulk of your hiking is done right at the start.
8. Yad Moss, Cumbria/Durham
On the fells between Stanhope and Alston, where Cumbria borders County Durham, you'll find Yad Moss. When the conditions are good, the skiing is too. Yad Moss is the longest single button lift in England, going up to 650m, and serving wide-open pistes which are normally very well groomed.
It's just off the B6277 and you might have to dig your car out a space in the parking lot if there's a lot of snow. This place gets busy. Don’t tell the folks at Yad Moss that there’s no skiing in England!
9. Allenheads, Northumberland
A great option for anyone in Newcastle or the surrounding areas, as Allenheads is only about a one-hour drive from the city.
There are two permanent tows in winter at Allenheads, the runs are about 120m long and the field holds snow and shelters you from any fierce conditions pretty well.
It’s an easily accessible hill this, no matter the usual road closures, and it’s often quiet, so it’s perfect for beginners or those just looking for a fun day clipped in on the UK hills.
Wales
10. Storey Arms, Brecon
Skiing in Wales? Snowboarding in Wales? Surely not!
But wait. And think about it for a moment.
Wales is one of the best destinations in the world for mountain biking, so really, the only surprise should be that there’s not more skiing in Wales.
If it does snow in the land of the dragon, give the Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre a call. They’re well used to giving out snow reports regarding snow sports on the pass.
There are no pistes, of course. But the terrain is just as good as you'd expect from the area in question. Beautiful gullies and carveable meadows when the weather is right.
