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Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.

Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.

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Started by Howieleem in Scotland - 13 Replies

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Rossyhead
reply to 'Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.' posted Jan-2012

Grizwald wrote:
As always with Scotland the advice is not to plan ahead and when it dumps be ready to go at short notice-if you can. Rossyhead also touches on the other problem that if they have the coverage then things might not be opened due to high winds.

I have family who live in Oban so I'm up that way several times over the course of the year, I always pack my planks If I'm up and there's snow I ski, if not I wait till next time. When it's good it's as good as ANYWHERE with the only limitation being the size of the areas but no issue for a long weekend and it beats the fridge any day. The Back Corries when open are superb and I love the feeling of isolation/wilderness.

Glencoe if coming from the South is also another possibility, with good coverage it offers a relatively large amount of on piste skiing. I'll be up at the start of Feb, it's about 4.5 hours door to door for us we'll stay in Glasgow the first night and hit the Glasgow fridge so my OH can stretch her ski legs prior to her first trip of the season in Austria the following weekend. If there's snow in GC or NR we'll also hit them on the Friday.

Don't let the Scotland bashers put you off. If you live within driving distance and are flexible it can be awesome.

Almost fogot to add IME the best condition over the last 4/5 years have been March-April time. 2 years ago I skied Nevis Range at the end of April and it was bloody glorious!


Prime example is his weekend-been snowing for 2days on a firm base so about 30-50cm lying on the slopes by the weekend. Apparently the back orries at NR are filling up twice as deep.

But it's due to be too windy to open all weekend :-(
www  Baggy pants, wide stance. Mad steeze, cork 3s

Rossyhead
reply to 'Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.' posted Jan-2012

Tony_H wrote:
rossyhead wrote:Take the blinkers off tony.........
None on. I love Scotland, my wife is Scottish, I'd happily live up there.
However I wouldn't plan a trip to ski up there, thanks.




Shame, you're missing out
www  Baggy pants, wide stance. Mad steeze, cork 3s

Snapzzz
reply to 'Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.' posted Jan-2012

Tony_H wrote:
rossyhead wrote:Take the blinkers off tony.........
None on. I love Scotland, my wife is Scottish, I'd happily live up there.
However I wouldn't plan a trip to ski up there, thanks.




Have you been mate? I was thinking about this and generally i like to make my own mind up. I just wondering how many people simply take other peoples word for it that it is sh*t.

I can't help thinking that even if its crap i will have had a life experience.

I think i will do it one day just for the heck of it. (prob won't take my blackeyes though)
Skied: Arinsal, La Plagne, Alpe D'huez, Flaine, Les Arcs, Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Sauze, Courchevel, Val Thorens

Rossyhead
reply to 'Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.' posted Jan-2012

Check this link out to another forum-specifically the picture at the bottom of page 4. That is what is CAN be like

just have to time it that's all!

http://www.winterhighland.info/forum/read.php?2,141227,page=4
www  Baggy pants, wide stance. Mad steeze, cork 3s

Grizwald
reply to 'Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.' posted Jan-2012

Snapzzz wrote:
Tony_H wrote:
rossyhead wrote:Take the blinkers off tony.........
None on. I love Scotland, my wife is Scottish, I'd happily live up there.
However I wouldn't plan a trip to ski up there, thanks.




Have you been mate? I was thinking about this and generally i like to make my own mind up. I just wondering how many people simply take other peoples word for it that it is sh*t.

I can't help thinking that even if its crap i will have had a life experience.

I think i will do it one day just for the heck of it. (prob won't take my blackeyes though)


Best attitude to have really Snapzzz. I've been lucky enough over the years to ski all over the world which include the main European areas, New Zealand, US and most recently Japan in addition to doing a season getting qualified as an instructor many moons ago in Canada. Even hiked some of my local hills in the lakes and skied down them- 2010 was the best I've had for this.

The only thing about Scotland which has been well discussed is that I wouldn't say e.g. 'I'm going to book a holiday for the 12th of March today.' Things are so changeable even a week can be too long in Scottish weather/condition terms. I'm lead to believe that Glencoe have invested/rented a snow cannon this season as a trial and other than high winds closing things, it would seem they've had 'something' to ski on since December.

For those who need to book a ski holiday in advance Scotland isn't a viable alternative, people want assurance that with their hard earned cash and holidays they'll be able to ski when they turn up which is fair enough. It doesn't really stack up for people who live down the south of England either as you could be in the Alps in similar time and expense I would imagine.

Saying all this I've had some of my best days skiing in Scotland, I'd def encourage anyone to try it as it's just a different experience and if you follow the general advice I think most would be pleasantly surprised.

Tony_H
reply to 'Snowboarding in Scotland newbie, advice needed.' posted Jan-2012

Grizwald wrote:

For those who need to book a ski holiday in advance Scotland isn't a viable alternative, people want assurance that with their hard earned cash and holidays they'll be able to ski when they turn up which is fair enough. It doesn't really stack up for people who live down the south of England either as you could be in the Alps in similar time and expense I would imagine.




Thats really where I fit in, needing to book somewhere for a week at a time at a certain time of year, and as you rightly point out I could drive to France or Scotland and be there in the same time so its never been an option to seriously consider.
However, if the opportunity arose and conditions were right, I wouldnt turn it down. At the end of the day, skiing is skiing and its better than not skiing.
www  New and improved me

Topic last updated on 20-January-2012 at 09:39