Skiing in Aviemore: The Best of Scottish Snowsports

Just two and a half miles away from our Glenmore Campsite, you’ll find Cairngorm Mountain. With fantastic views and snowfall, the mountain is one of the top destinations for skiing in Scotland. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, looking for a holiday filled with snowsports, camping in Aviemore is a great option.

About Aviemore ski resort

The Cairngorm Mountain Resort, also referred to as Aviemore ski resort, is the most spectacular ski resort in Scotland. The snow in the Cairngorms lasts longer than any of the other Scotland ski resorts, which may be the reason the resort has more season ticket holders than any other.

From our Glenmore campsite, it’s less than a 10-minute drive to the Cairngorm Mountain car park. Alternatively, a bus stop just outside of the campsite entrance has a service which takes you directly to the mountain car park.

Cairngorm Mountain is great for skiers of all abilities with 30km of pisted runs, 10 lifts, a freestyle area and on-site equipment hire. The sight from the top of Cairngorm Mountain is priceless, with panoramic views of the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Morlich below.

Best time of year for skiing in Aviemore:

Depending on the snowfall, the skiing season is usually from December through to April. Due to changeable weather, deciding to visit at short notice is a common occurrence.

February half term is a great time of year to visit with kids. It does, however, get very busy if the weather conditions are right. For a quieter experience, weekdays during term time are a good bet.

Best place to stay:

Our Glenmore campsite is located in the wonderful Glenmore Forest Park, just two and a half miles away from Cairngorms Mountain, with good public transport links. Loch Morlich, with its beautifully sandy beaches is just a short walk from the campsite.

Top tips on visiting Cairngorm Mountain Resort:

• Keep an eye on the weather. The weather in the winter months is changeable at high altitude. You can view live weather updates here to determine whether you’ll be able to enjoy the mountain and snowsports.
• Car share or get the bus. As with any popular tourist destination, the mountain car park is usually very busy. We recommend arriving early, car sharing with fellow campers or getting on the bus, which stops near the entrance of our Glenmore campsite.
• Measure up. If you’re going to be hiring ski equipment on the mountain, it’s good to know your height, weight and shoe size before you go to save a little time. This is especially important during busy times or when taking kids.
• You can hire equipment in advance. If you’re going to be visiting during a busy time, you can book your kit ready for pick up when you get to the mountain.

What to wear skiing:

Whether you’ve been skiing for years, or you’re new to the sport, here’s a helpful list of items you’ll need for a day on the slopes:

• Ski jacket
• Ski trousers
• Hats
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Socks
• Hire/bring: skis, helmet, boots and poles

That’s the basics covered off, here are a few helpful tips to make sure you stay warm and comfortable during your visit:

• Layers are the key to keeping warm.
• Avoid cotton. If it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry and will leave you cold.
• Thermals are a great option to go under your ski trousers and jacket as they’re thin and affordable.
• You want your outer layers, including gloves to be wind and waterproof.
• Sun cream and a lip balm are useful as the wind and the reflection from the sun on the snow can play havoc with your skin.
• High-quality woollen ski socks are considered a necessity by many. Ski socks are longer than regular socks which means they won’t bunch up inside your boots, leading to a very uncomfortable day of skiing.
• Remember to wear comfortable water resistant shoes on your journey to the mountain. You’ll likely be walking through a little snow before you get your hired boots and no one wants wet socks at the start of the day.

View our extensive camping packing list.

What else is there to do:

Cairngorm Mountain itself is also popular for snowboarding, with board hire available when you arrive. Tubing is ideal for families with kids and is open year-round. To book, just purchase tickets at the mountain shop, it’s a great way to enjoy the mountain away from the snow.

The Cairngorm Mountain range provides a varied landscape, ideal for thriving wildlife. Head to the Cairngorm Mountain Ranger Base to find out what interesting wildlife recordings have been made recently. You’ll also find guidance on path routes here.

Visiting Loch Morlich, meeting the reindeer at the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd and a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway are just a few of the additional things you can do while visiting Aviemore. View our things to do to see what else is on offer in the area.

Camping in Scotland is a great way to explore the great outdoors and beautiful surroundings. As well as our campsite in Aviemore, we have two campsites in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.