Five Scottish snowcation destinations
Don’t just day trip! Stay awhile and book a snowcation break to explore one of these welcoming winter destinations this season
Scotland sparkles in winter. This magical season might bring chilly weather, but the welcome is always warm, whether you’re enjoying snowsports or simply recharging away from home. There’s so much to see and do on and off the slopes and you don’t need a 4x4 to get about.
Scotland’s five mountain centres are all within easy reach of the Central Belt, making a day trip with friends and family simple to plan. But why stop at just one day? Don’t hibernate at home, scrolling endlessly. Treat yourself to a short break away and enjoy a Scottish snowcation.
Here are five places to check out for your snowcation:
Grantown-on-Spey
Situated on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, Grantown offers good accommodation options, great eateries and a High Street full of independent shops.
It’s an excellent base for exploring local walks, wildlife-watching and distillery tours and two of Scotland’s snowsports centres are within a 30-minute drive. Learn more and plan your winter break at grantownonline.com
Snowsports: With two magic carpet lifts and lots of wide green- and blue-graded runs, The Lecht 2090 is ideal for families and beginners. More advanced skiers and snowboarders head for the Buzzard and Falcon lifts and red- and black-graded runs. Equipment hire, a snowsports school and a café are all housed in the Day Lodge.
Stay: The Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown is a popular option and there’s a good selection of hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation in and around the town.
Sustenance: You’ll find bakeries, including the excellent KJ’s Bothy Bakery and Maclean’s Highland Bakery, alongside cafes, cosy pubs and fine restaurants.
See and do: Speyside Wildlife offers local tours and Cairngorms Dark Sky Park is ideal for stellar stargazing. Competent riders can test their skills on Glenlivet’s frosty mountain bike trails and there are lovely walks around Anagach Woodlands, or hike from Tomintoul to see the remarkable Ailnack Gorge. Whisky lovers should visit The Whisky Castle in Tomintoul, The Cairn Distillery, which opened in 2022 and The Glenlivet that’s been distilling since 1824.
Fort William
Where better to escape the everyday than Fort William and Lochaber: The Outdoor Capital of the UK? This busy town is the ideal base for days out on the slopes and exploring local beaches, film locations, castles and more.
Snowsports: High on the slopes of the UK’s eighth highest mountain, and only seven miles from Fort William, the views over Lochaber from Nevis Range are amazing and when conditions are good, the snowsports here are equally outstanding. Hill access is via the UK’s only mountain gondola, there are 28 runs to choose from and there’s a hotel, cafés, tuition and gear hire on-site.
Stay: Fort William is a popular spot with summer visitors, so there are lots of places to stay within the town, from cosy hostels and B&Bs to a luxury stay at Inverlochy Castle. Plan your break online at visitwesthighlands.co.uk
Sustenance: There are also many options for eating out including the Ben Nevis Inn, Sónas Restaurant, The Silly Goose and Crannog at Garrison West.
See and do: Those with the right skills and equipment can attempt an ascent of Ben Nevis or a number of other Munros in the area. There are plenty of low level walks locally too. Enjoy a movie at the Highland Cinema. Uncover the past at the West Highland Museum. Marvel at the engineering of Neptune’s Staircase. Or enjoy a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery.
Glencoe
The deep valley and dominating mountains of stunning Glen Coe were formed by shifting geology many millions of years ago and, at its western end, the pretty village of Glencoe is the perfect base for a relaxing winter break. For more information go to discoverglencoe.scot
Snowsports: Established in 1956, Glencoe Mountain is Scotland’s oldest commercial ski centre. Its corries offer great snow-holding and there are 20 runs to enjoy. It is an area for more experienced skiers and snowboarders, with some of Scotland’s most challenging terrain within its boundaries. Try the “Flypaper” the UK’s steepest black run, or explore excellent off-piste runs. The resort also offers free sledging with the purchase of a chairlift ticket and there’s an excellent restaurant, snowsports school and gear hire on-site.
Stay: Glencoe Mountain’s cosy on-site microlodges are at the foot of the slopes, or if you prefer, the Kingshouse Hotel is virtually across the road. There are several places to stay in and around Glencoe village.
Sustenance: The Clachaig Inn offers fine food, comfortable rooms, whiskies, real ales and regular live music. The Laroch in Ballachulish (open for meals Monday-Friday, 12-2.30pm and 6-8.30pm) is a gem. Visit discoverglencoe.scot for more ideas on where to eat and drink.
See and do: Glencoe is a magnet for those who enjoy low-level walks, lofty hillwalks, and winter mountaineering (ensure that you have the right skills and equipment). Or visitors can learn about the history and nature of the glen at the eco-friendly Glencoe Visitor Centre.
Braemar
Braemar’s history and royal connections stretch back many centuries and with converging hill passes at all compass points it was an important settlement in ancient times. Today, this friendly Aberdeenshire village is the ideal place to recharge on a magical winter escape. Plan yours online at visitabdn.com/places/braemar
Snowsports: Spread over four mountains and three glens, Glenshee Snowsports Centre is the UK’s largest snowsports area and is the closest mountain centre to Edinburgh. Its 22 lifts whisk skiers and snowboarders up to 3,500ft and there are three cafés, a snowsports school and equipment hire on-site. A new Dundee to Aberdeen Ember bus service also stops at both Glenshee and Braemar.
Stay: Braemar offers a selection of accommodation that belies its modest size. There’s a popular hostel housed in a former shooting lodge, a great selection of B&Bs and guest houses, self-catering accommodation, all the way up to five-star luxury.
Sustenance: There’s a good range of places to eat and drink in and around Braemar too. Braemar Tourism have put together a great guide, including opening hours, to keep you right.
See and do: Braemar and Royal Deeside are awash with woodland, riverside, lochside and hill-walking options. Explore Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve near Ballater or experience cosmic Northern Nights when skies are clear. Braemar Castle closes in October, but its grounds remain open all year. And Royal Lochnagar Distillery near Ballater, offers an insight into the alchemy of whisky making.
Aviemore
This bustling town is a long-established snowsports destination and is well-served by excellent road and rail links. There are lots of places to eat, drink and stay and more outdoor shops than you can shake a fleece at.
Learn more and plan your break online at visitaviemore.com.
Snowsports: With unbeatable views across Strathspey, Scotland’s only funicular mountain railway and the UK’s highest café, Cairngorm Mountain is Scotland’s most popular snowsports area. The slopes are just 20 minutes by bus or car from Aviemore, there are more than 30 runs to choose from and there’s on-site gear hire, snowsports schools and cafés.
Stay: There’s an excellent range of places to stay in Aviemore, from hostels and self-catering options to hotels, guest houses and B&Bs. Sweeney Aviemore One and Two offer stylish self-catering stays and High Range, on the edge of town, is ideal for families.
Sustenance: There’s no shortage of great places to eat in Aviemore too. From tasty fish and chips at Smiffy’s to tempting dishes and live music at the Old Bridge Inn, there’s plenty to choose from.
See and do: Aviemore is ideal for a winter getaway as there’s so much to see and do. Meet enchanting wildlife at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre and the recent Scottish Thistle award-winning Highland Wildlife Park. Explore easy trails around Loch Morlich on foot or by bike. Try glice skating at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre or unleash your inner big kid at the Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge.
Discover more winter break ideas and plan your trip at visitscotland.com/winter