Okay, so we may not have the snow fall of Canada, the glamour of Val D’Isire or the exclusivity of St Moritz, but the UK does have some fantastic skiing destinations. Whether you choose the more reliable Scottish mountains or wish to wait for occasional flurry in Wales, you don’t always need to go abroad to keep up the skiing practice.
Of course, with the winter weather comes the winter driving conditions, so why don’t you book a train ticket in advance, chuck your skis in a carrying rack and sit back and enjoy.
Scotland
Nearest Station Aviemore 34 miles
The Lecht is situated in the heart of Scotland’s largest National Park amidst the beauty of the Eastern Cairngorms.
Nevis Range Mountain Experience
Nearest Station Fort William 5 miles
Let the mountain gondola transport you to the top of the mountains, open almost daily (weather dependent) and not just for the purpose of skiing.
Nearest Stations Pitlarchy 30 miles, Perth 41 miles, Dundee 46 miles
With 22 lifts and 36 runs this is one of the country’s largest ski facilities.
Nearest Station Aviemore 9 miles
Home to the UK’s highest funicular (a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope) offering panoramic views at 3,500 feet!
Nearest Station bridge of Orchy 12.5 miles
In summer enjoy mountain biking, orienteering and hill walking whilst waiting for the winter and the snow! With 19 runs across 7 lifts it’s the longest and steepest course in Scotland.
Lake District
Nearest Station 14.5 miles
Yes I know, you wouldn’t think you could ski south of Glasgow but it turns out you can. Granted it’s only a few weeks a year but never the less, make the most of it if it’s just a train journey away!
The Pennines
Allenheads Skiing and Snowboarding
Nearest station 28 miles
A members only ski resort that will only open when it snows, which is usually just a few weeks a year. Facilities are obviously minimal but time it right and you could bag yourself a few good runs a year for a small annual membership fee.
Wales
Closest Station: Abergavenny Station (17 miles)
Do you have any UK-based ski slopes to add to this list? Share them with us on Twitter or Facebook!