A thread for chatting about skiing in Scotland

[Wallace]

We have been rather hijacking the Half-Term Skiing thread and I thought it would be nice to have our own thread.

We are off to the Lecht tomorrow. Just for the morning as we find that is enough for the kids (and me - I'm very much a beginner).

We find the Lecht very good for kids. And it is great the way the cafe over looks the nursery slopes which means dh can take ds2 in for a drink and still keep an eye on the other kids (and me!)

I learned to ski at the Lecht many moons ago so it'll always have a place in my heart.

is this lecht in scotland? i have never been but would love to try. is it cold/windy/icy? great fun? worth it with little ones?

also, where do you recommend to stay?
and how close to going do you book?
and do you go every year?
and what month is best?
i've seen some photos and stuff and it looks good (if no trees), and i rather fancy skiing in my own island (not sure i can say country but you know what i mean).
sorry to be nosy

greygirl Given the title of the thread you'd have thought so right?

Because we live in Aberdeen it is just a one and a half hour car journey. It can get cold, it can be icy but it can also be really nice. If it is cold you have to wrap up really well with thermals and no gaps at the neck etc. It is probably better suited to little ones as the nursery slopes are nearer the car park and cafe. You can also do tubing which I think is the big rubber ring thing and of course you can go sledging if they get fedup. Wallace can probably tell you more as she has been lately. It is good ski-ing at the moment but you just have to keep checking the weather forecast as you never know when the snow will go. You can stay in Tomintoul, I think that is the highest village in Scotland

We live not far away from the Lecht so have been about 4 times this season (would go more often but can't afford it!)

I think people often stay in Grantown-on-Spey which is about 15 (winding) miles away. Grantown is also handy for the skiing on Cairngorm mountain

The Lecht is fantastic for little ones (ours are 3, 8 and 10 and all beginners) and a half day pass for the beginner tows is only £8.50 for a child. Under 5 is free. The Lecht also has a magic carpet (travelator thing) so the kids don't have to struggle with the tows.

It can get cold and windy but the conditions are great at the moment. There is so much snow. It was a beautiful day yesterday - we were sweating!

Cairngorm is higher than the Lecht so the skiing season is longer, but is also colder and windier and more chance of the road up being shut.

We had a really good time yesterday and I ventured on to the blue runs for the first time

Sore today though!

Glad you had a great time

I am desperate to go back and conquer my fear of the traverse

I'm still aching after Friday...

we did a weekend at cairngorm at the end of january (stayed at carbridge, £40 for the room, dinner on-site and not too pricey either)

we'll be going up for a day either next sunday or the one after depending on wind.

i used to always ski at glenshee but am now totally converted to cairngorm.. it's every bit worth the extra 45mins or so each way driving.

Waswondering and fluffles - could you name where you stayed (if you don't mind) for others looking for a recommendation.

My DH got new skis at the weekend so think a trip sometime soon could be on the cards.

i stayed here: www.dalrachney.co.uk/
rooms in the coachhouse are cheaper than the main building but still lovely.

i got it from www.laterooms.com which i'd advise if you're doing a lastminute trip (put aviemore in the search and you'll get aviemore, grantown-on-spey and carrbridge)

The lift pass at Glenshee is £25.00 for the full day and £20.00 after 12 o clock. How much is the Lecht and Aviemore?

I used to work here in Glenmore, half way up the Cairngorm. If you are looking for accomodation, they do B&B.

aviemore is £30 for an adult (£22 for a student which i am )

BUT... you can go up in the funicular once and ski right down in the time you'd have had to queue three times at glenshee... there are almost no queues at poma and t-bar tows at cairngorm even when busy.

I grew up about 100ft from one of those hotels and now live vey close to the other one

Lecht prices:

adult- £18.50 for a half day (morn or aft), 14.50 for a limited area pass. £25 for a full day pass.

child - £9.50 for half day, £8.50 for a limited area. 12.50 for a full day pass

They also do a junior price which is a child in secondary school. Under fives sre freea

Thankyou Wallace. We skiied in France three weeks ago and we paid 12 and a half euros for the Sunday as a special offer. The area was about the same size as Cairngorm. The chairlifts were fours and sixes only so no queues there either.

Wow that sounds fantastic. I wish skiing was always so cheap!

It has been an amazing couple of days. We haven't been up but have been looking up the hill with