It is hard to avoid getting close to the ski resort on the Cairnwell side, but a traverse above Loch Vrotachan can be combined nicely with either the North side of Carn Aosda, or to the South descending into Choire Dhirich from Carn nan Sac. From our base in Aviemore we can … The high plateau of the National Park is the … The cliffy area above the reservoir is to be avoided but some gullies on the South side see regular visitors. Spring is the usual season for ski-touring. This area is best discovered with help of Kenny Biggin’s Glencoe Guidebook. In the past a ski tourers pass has been offered which gave three uplifts (useful to get out to Glas Maol). A backcountry skiing trip in Scotland offers a very different experience to mainstream Europe, absolutely enjoyable in good weather conditions! The favoured ascent, now known as the Escalator makes a fine ski back down. The trip out to Macdui combined with a descent into the Lairig Ghru, and then back up to return one of the Northern Corries is a big day, but achievable for most fit tourers. All of the Backcorries itinerary descents are worth doing. Plan a road trip to see some of Scotland… If you wish to ski the South side of Ben Nevis it is possible to park in Glen Nevis and ascend the tourist path, then descend the Red Burn. Ski touring can get you into areas considered inaccessible to ordinary skiers and offers a completely different mountain experience. If there is an Arctic blast, Scotland can receive a light fluffy powder, whereas it will be more commonly heavier and wetter stuff if brought in through the Atlantic. Tower Gully into Observatory Gully complement these with an enormous descent off the highest point of Great Britain down a steep exposed gully. Many of the reasons for using an awning on a snowbound campsite are the same as in summer conditions, The Guide to Gas for Motorhome and Caravan Skiers. This guide is not enough on its own, it is to be used purely as a starting point for planning your trip. There has been talk of this one day becoming a parking area for camper vans, as a way of taking pressure off the car parks around Loch Morlich which even in winter are busy at night. A good day out combines this with a second descent down Ben Lawers South East Face. Winter is a very different story to summer in Scotland and unless conditions are exceptional on a weekend, car parks are normally quiet until mid March. Ski Touring in Scotland By stu_mcinnes@hotmail.co.uk March 9, 2016 March 9, 2016 Uncategorized Over the winter I’ve had some fantastic days Ski Touring in Scotland, … Ski Scotland Snow Conditions. The region claims five of the six highest mountains in the UK and the most reliable venue for snow in the country. This never influences our opinion and it never negatively impacts the price you pay for any product or service. Many of the open slopes are grassy so don’t need a lot of cover to be usable. Little did we know that there was a world of snowmads out there and we were late to the party! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In Scotland, you’ll find the best skiing in Aberdeen, Inverness, Aviemore, Glasgow and Argyll.Recent years have brought very good, if not harsh, winters in Scotland, making for perfect skiing environments across the mountains as snowfall is strong and the cold stays for longer.The prime time to ski in Scotland occurs Ski touring or ski mountaineering is a great way to cover long distances rather than on foot. The easy part is jumping in the van and heading to the hills once the decision is made, but it’s always worth following the updated forecast right up until the last minute incase a better opportunity appears elsewhere. Here we have added details to the most accessible areas, and also listed are others which are worthwhile. The map links are for Bing Mapping – you can switch between road maps for finding parking and Ordinance Survey mapping for help locating the summits. February to March (April if you are looking for steeps or gullies). Long before the first ski lifts were built, ski mountaineers have been chasing winter, following the wind and precipitation to find the best descents on a given day. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We’ve put together a table as an overview of the areas covered in more detail below. There are mellow options too, including the descent back to the Glen itself. Although the cafe burnt down last year, they have a temporary cafe and some facilities for customers. February to April, with late season descents also possible on good snow years. British Backcountry began as a social media group set up by Blair to bring together people interested in discussing and sharing ski touring and gully skiing routes in the Highlands. Meall nan Tarmachan has descent options off all sides and the best depends on where the snow has been deposited by the wind. this is worth a read if you’re totally new to backcountry, No overnight camping’ signs should be respected and local campsites used when possible, here and if it’s your first time, you couldn’t be in better hands if you book one of his tours, car park near Balsporran Bed and Breakfast, The parking is a short walk along the road, The South side of the Ski Centre car park, Coire Ciste Car Park or Ski Centre Car Park, Park as if the car park were full and take up as little space as possible, Park at the edge of the car park in case snow needs to be cleared in the morning, Consider what you would do if the road becomes closed due to heavy snowfall and you have to remain there for longer than planned, Think how you will get your vehicle out of the parking space if there is snow that has not been cleared, Any door you are using regularly should parked away from the prevailing wind, Remember to give parking donations or purchase food in the cafe if there is the option, …and of course leave nothing behind when you leave. In the right conditions this could be one of the longest descents in the country and is far less challenging than the North Face when in good condition. Aviemore is a 40-minute drive from Inverness airport (domestic flights with easyJet and Flybe). Carn-Mor Dearg has some beautiful skiing down the East facing side into it’s three bowls which are slightly more friendly. Beinn Ghlas tends to get rather windswept but often holds good snow on it’s East facing side after strong westerly winds. Mellow terrain. Geal-charn is one of the best introductory ski touring venues, especially the NW descent into Coire Beul an Sporain. There is another car park at the north end of the reservoir which can be used for Meall Corranaiche, but this should only be considered if you know the road and car park are clear of snow and quiet as there may be no way of turning a vehicle around beyond the NTS car park. If the snow has been coming in from the SW it is worth checking out the short decent from the 783 spot height which heads NE into Coire Ruadh. Can I go ski touring in Scotland with my campervan or motorhome? Winterised.com which is now the biggest motorhome skiing and boarding resource and is growing rapidly. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Accessed from Aviemore via the ski road, our starting point for a tour is already at 650 meters and therefore likely to hold snow through the winter. Backcountry & Touring Guide Journey into the backcountry and experience a whole new side of the Cairngorms. Scotland - 2 days - Easy - Group, Scotland - 1 day - Intermediate - Group, Scotland - 1 day - Intermediate - Private & Group. Most winters it is possible to have a lengthy descent towards Coire Gabhail (aka the Lost Valley), twisting and turning around boulders and following stream lines. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. These areas are easily accessible by campervan (with a few caveats which are mentioned) and I have tried to take into account the various sizes of vehicle that may be used from T4s and self-build conversions, to coachbuilt motorhomes and Unimogs! The weather -including also winds and visibility- is the biggest factor that will make your backcountry skiing trip in Scotland heaven or hell. The high starting point can also be used to access surrounding peaks. The car park near Balsporran Bed and Breakfast offers good access to several Munros. Our 5 day introduction to ski touring course for beginners is the complete experience for those looking to get into ski touring - the finest way to travel on a snow covered mountain! If you do park here please pay a car park donation and make a purchase in the cafe. One of the best ways to see, and ski in Scotland is from a motorhome or campervan. If you have time enough, visit some of the many whisky destilleries in the country! Relatively few foreigners and locals venture into Scotland’s backcountry skiiing terrain, resulting in a very peaceful and quiet experience, away from crowds. Ski Touring in Scotland is the best way to see the hills in winter. The Pennine Alps, in fact, lend themselves to an almost infinite number of variations on the Haute Route theme. There is no right or wrong time of year as temperatures and precipitation fluctuates so much throughout the winter, but we’ve included the most likely times of year that you’ll find good conditions at each venue. Ski touring in the Cairngorms; Steep ice climbing with Scotlands finest on the Dubh Loch; A better day winter climbing on Ben Nevis; Wild on Ben nevis; Winter mountaineering in Glencoe; Winter mountaineering on ben nevis; Winter climbing on Ben nevis; Winter climbing in Glencoe; Ski Patrol training; Winter mountaineering … But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We will compliment your existing ski … The National Trust Car Park is most suitable for larger vehicles, although the car park further up the road is a better starting point for Meall Nan Tarmachan. Multiple summits possible for those fit enough. The south east facing slope down towards Ba Cottage is the most mellow sidecountry offering, while further west of this from near the summit there are steeper options. Take a look at images from Scotland's 12 National Tourist Routes and the epic North Coast 500, some of the best drives in Scotland. A big day out often accessed using mountain bikes to get to Glen Eanaich. Ben Alder, south side of The Monadhliath Mountains. The reason for this is that with the exception of The Fannichs and Wyvis, good snow is fleeting and unless you are local you are not likely to make the trip until you have more popular tours under your belt. Fast forward a few seasons and here we are, in the depths of a global pandemic with unpredictable travel restrictions threatening the European ski season; the Brexit transition period closing in; with an appetite for adventure. While your vehicle may be equipped for driving on snow, most other road users will not be. It is often possibly to ski back to the road from this summit which makes for a terrific long descent. If you are chasing winter it’s better to have an empty road ahead of you! A qualified guide is … More people than ever are moving away from managed resorts, skinning uphill and … The roadside lay-by is the best option, but at weekends please note this gets busy even in winter. Chasing winter has never been so easy! More challenging and serious terrain in one of the most stunning locations in the country. In general the venues in the West are more challenging with the ones listed later (in the East, back down the A9) being more mellow ski tours. There are other options on either side of the car park further down the hill, but they aren’t well suited for larger vehicles. In the company of our mountain and ski instructors, learn the essential skills to explore Scotland… Running through the eastern portion of this magnificent landscape, the route owes its name to the highest public road in Britain, and boasts some of the wildest, most dramatic … The parking is a short walk along the road from the start of the trail. A glance at the Swiss 1:50,000 ski map (with the blue cover) reveals a network of mountain huts, each one the hub of a spider’s web of red lines indicating possible ski routes. Most will choose to follow the Mountain Weather Information Service in the lead up to a trip, then switch to the regular updates by MET office. Coire Ardair has some very steep and serious gully skiing. A collection of ski touring clips from Scotland during the great winter of 2017 - 2018. Ski some steeper slopes & gullies. If you wish to venture further then you could do a lot worse than plan a trip out to Beinn Udlamain, taking in A’ Mharconaiche on the way home. Please give further details of the Location where you were Skiing/Riding and if undertaking a tour, please give the Route… The entrances can often be corniced and steep however. Discover the world, reconnect with nature and enjoy a truly memorable experience! Glen Roy, Ben More, Ben Lui, Ben Dorain, The Mamores, The Grey Corries. There is a definite progression from ski touring to ski … There are many good gully lines to be skied here (the most famous being Broad Gully on Stob Coire nan Lochain) but they are steep and have numerous hazards. When touring Scotland by car (or camper or bike), your route can vary in length; trips can be as short or as long as you like. Of course, ‘No overnight camping’ signs should be respected, and local camp sites used when possible. The simplest descent is down Sron a Choire, although that makes for a short visit. Travelling late in the evening allows you to arrive at the car park discreetly at night, normally when it is completely empty. Today’s story is no different but the challenge has been made easier by the increased sharing of information, improved forecasts, better lightweight equipment and (for many) the comforts of a campervan. The higher access point is the ski centre car park but the Snow Factory snow making machine currently runs on a diesel generator making it a noisy, smelly place to park. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This could be extended to the Southern Cairngorms by visiting some of the locations on the A93. Similarly Meall Corranaich has multiple aspects that can be descended, my favourite being East towards the old shielings. This is a monster of a mountain with numerous Coires all of which have had ski descents down their faces and gully lines. The quickest and easiest way to reach Scotland is by plane.The country has three main international airports: Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The east side of Cairngorm consistently has good snow cover and is the easiest descent to Loch Avon, via the Saddle, if the snow allows. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The unpredictability of snow-cover and good conditions is the main factor holding back skiing development in the country. For gully skiers, Ben Nevis’s Number 3, 4 and 5 are the most commonly skied but Coire an Lochain below is also an enjoyable place to ski without entering the gullies. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A collection of ski touring clips from Scotland during the great winter of 2017 - 2018. There is a large flat car park on the A86. February to April is the best time, when days are longer. Similarly to the North there is a good descent into Garbh-Choire. The obvious circular route would be to go North up the A85/A82, East along the A86 and then South down the A9, or vice versa. There are ski tows on the Pennines and in the Lakes; there’s awesome touring to be had all over the place, from Snowdonia to the … Wind transported snow can close the road quickly. When conditions allow there is a lovely mellow descent to be had from below the steps south side, all the way down the valley towards Killin. If it’s possible to skin up to Carn Liath there is some more mellow terrain off the north side, but the return would be back down the ascent. Winterised reviews are completely unbiased, independent advice you can trust. You should also be prepared to do other activities (biking, paddling, walking etc) incase things don’t go as planned. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. There are endless other options, all of which are listed in Kenny Biggin’s Nevis Range guidebook. The ascent roughly follows the summer path and the return is directly down from the first ridge. If you don’t mind a few extra vertical metres it is nice to start in the Coire Ciste car park and keep away from the busy ski centre car park. Blair has put together a comprehensive guide to ski touring in Scotland using routes accessible to campervans and motorhomes from north of Edinburgh to the south of Inverness. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Ski touring in the Cairngorms and elsewhere in Scotland takes place in winter and early spring, and is best when days are longer, from February to April. The route can be extended by skinning all the way around to Carn an Tuirc for a more interesting gradient slope. The climate in Scotland is characterised by strong tendencies of changeable weather. In the Highlands you can expect lows of 0ºC. Occasional tree skiing when the snowline is low enough. 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