King of the mountains (Nevis Range)

Name: ultras67

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Nevis Range
Date:	26/09/01 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Longest skiing season, highest range in uk

Disadvantages: uk weather, no snow guarantee

The Nevis Range is about 4 miles to the north of Fort William which in turn is 106 miles (about two hours drive) to the north of Glasgow.

The range is also popularly known as Aonach Mor, after the mountain the slopes are on. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain is just 3 miles away.

It is the highest of all the ski resorts in Scotland and generally has the longest of all the skiing seasons. The slopes are accessed by taking a gondola from the base station. The gondola is open all year round so that walkers, climbers and anyone who wants to can go up and to the top.

Although not the biggest resort in Scotland, I have a soft touch for it because of its height and variety of slopes.

The tickets available cover all requirements with season tickets, all day, half day, beginners area only etc. A full day pass was £19.75 for 00/01 season. Lessons, equipment hire is available. There are a total of 12 lifts of one sort or another and 35 runs spread over the area. My favourite ? Duncans Drop.

For the boarders out there, you have a dedicated area just for you.

There is a web site that gives conditions and up to date information on all of Scotland’s’ slopes at www.ski.scotland.net
The nevis range site itself is
www.nevis-range.co.uk

If the weather is not good enough on the slopes, the town of Fort William is nearby and is a useful Plan B to explore. There are many delightful pubs with great food and huge ranges of whisky to taste.

There are also various other activities that take place all year round from mountain biking in the summer, parasailing ( weather permitting ), walking and climbing.

When I was up there last year, I watched quite a few climbers walking up to the summit to take an alternative route down. As no doubt they would say to me and I to them - "rather them than me, what they are doing looks bloody dangerous !"

Drawbacks ? Skiing in
Scotland can sometimes be for the brave and strong depending on the weather and if you are used to perfect white pistes and blue sky skiing, you may feel short-changed. Unfortunately, the lack of real height ( the summit run is only 4000ft ) and the vagaries of the Scottish weather can sometimes mean that you are out in sleet and grey snow. Good conditions are a bonus to be savoured not expected. Please do not have expectations of huge ranges with 10k runs, the longest is 2k. Set them at the right level and you will be pleasantly surprised not disappointed.

You could not in all honesty plan a skiiing holiday here in advance because of the unpredictable weather but as a day or weekend away whilst already in Scotland its great.

Summary: