Snowsports

Winter in the Cairngorms means one thing - fun in the snow: skiing, sledging, visiting reindeer and even going on a sled dog ride.

The Park boasts a number of ski resorts. CairnGorm Mountain is the longest established resort in the Park and Scotlands most popular snowsports destination. The mountain railway gets skiers to the pistes quickly and easily when high winds and bad conditions would stop chairlifts from working. The Lecht lies in the north east of the park and is a relaxed and family-oriented centre, ideal for beginners with good teaching facilities. Glenshee, about 9 miles south of Braemar, has 25 lifts and 38 runs stretching across four mountains and three valleys - the most extensive ski area in Scotland.

The Cairngorms and the surrounding area is the snowiest in Britain. So it's no surprise that this is the most popular place for cross-country skiing and ski touring. There are many forest tracks and trails which are way-marked for cross-country skiing, particularly at Inshriach and Glenmore Forests, Rothiemurchus Estate and the Glenlivet Estate. But when theres plenty of snow, practically any forest track makes an ideal route.