Ski touring in Scotland
Everything you need to know about ski touring in Scotland
Ski touring or backcoutry skiing is by far the best way to explore the Scottish highlands when the snow is here. It is the most efficient and safest way to move on snow. And the flowing sensation over the ground, covering the terrain with ease, is rewarded by fantastic descents on untouched snow. Similar to hiking but it allows us to discover more with the thrill of skiing down the mountain rather than hiking back to the car!
However, navigating in the scottish mountains in winter requires some serious navigation skills and a good knowledge of avalache risk! Use our experience and enjoy! We are also more than happy to get you involve so you can learn the skills.
Some of our favourite ski touring areas in Scotland
Ben Lawers Range
These mountains are known as the little Alps of Scotland.
With various parking options at 500m of elevation and the highest peak at 1,214m, the area offers plenty of playground area where you can often start skinning (climbing up with skis on the snow) from the car park. Great mountains with fantastic views only 1h15 from Glasgow or Edimbourg.
Glencoe and Nevis Range
One of the most scenic place in Scotland, where you can wactch Ben Nevis, many lochs and the atlantic ocean from mosy summits. A fantastic option for those looking for more challanging descents down the most epic scottish gullies. Great options also for multi-days touring.
Cairngorms National Parc
With 55 munros and the arctic conditions, the area offers numerous classic routes.
Amongs them are the highest peaks in Scotland: Ben Macdui at 1,309m, followed by Braeriach at 1,296m, Cairn Toul at 1,291m and Sgor an Lochain Uaine at 1,258m, all found within the Cairngorm Mountain range and an absolute delight for ski touring. From easy to challenging routes , there is plenty for everyone.
Creag Meagaidh
A mix of cliffy corries and rolling plateau Creag Meagaidh range is one of the classic mountains of Scotland, and holds snow late in the season making it an ideal ski touring destination. The scenery is fabulous, and the main descents can be scouted out from the car park.
A word from Tom (Adventures Scotland CEO) about ski touring :
“Every winter, I spend some weeks in the Alps around Grenoble and in one of the biggest resort in the world, “Les Portes Du Soleil” where I used run a local snowsports school for 3 seasons.
The mountains there are amazing and many summits are so easily accessible thanks to their huge lift network. However, when I am there I keep checking the conditions back home.
The wilderness of the scottish mountains is priceless and on a good day, to me it is as good if not better than the Alps!”
