How Will Scotland’s 24-25 Ski Season Play Out?

November so far has been exceptionally warm and dry in the Scottish Highlands which has subdued hopes for a snowy winter so far, but the weather can change quickly and Scottish skiers and boarders remain eternally optimistic.

Cairngorm Mountain above Aviemore have announced that they will open on Friday 20th December. It has a Snow-factory all-weather snowmaking machine enabling it to open a beginner area regardless of natural snow cover.

The centre struggled to operate top-to-bottom skiing last season with the funicular railway out of action again, however at present the centre’s operators are optimistic that it will be working again next month, they’re just not totally certain. 

“Following updates from our parent company Highlands and Islands Enterprise we continue to expect the funicular to be back in service for the upcoming snowsports season. We can’t provide any further updates right now, however, keep an eye out on our Facebook page and website for further updates,” a spokesperson said, adding, “We’ll share progress as soon as we can and look forward to welcoming you this winter!”

Over on the West Coast, Glencoe, which seems to have reported the deepest and most reliable snow most often in recent years, is currently closed for lift maintenance but will be ready to open from late November on if snow conditions allow.  Last year it began snowmaking with its all-weather snowmaking machine and had terrain open from early December.  The centre announced ambitions to build a gondola lift to transform its year-round operations. 

Its less good news though from Nevis Range near Fort William which issued a statement saying it probably wouldn’t open until February unless there was an exceptional early season snowfall.  Nevis Range was hardly able to open for skiing last season due to lack of snow it blames on climate change.  It previously said its skiing operation had been loss making for 15 years.  The lengthy statement said the centre remains committed to snowsports and is looking at installing a large dry slope to transition to a year-round ski operation.

Scotland’s other two centres, The Lecht and Glenshee, both also appear ready to open in December, both also having all-weather snowmaking machinery to create at least some area if mother nature doesn’t play ball.  Glenshee uses theirs to create a full length run for skiers and boarders.  

The Lecht did launch a crowdfunder to help its survival in the spring, raising over £26,000 at the last report.

With the less positive news from Nevis Range, fundraising at The Lecht and funicular reopening date uncertainty at Cairngorm, Glencoe has been keen to stress things are fine there, indeed better than ever.

“Delighted to report that winter preparations are now well underway and all uplift will be good to go the minute we get enough snow. The forecast is starting to look promising for a cool down and snow from mid November,” a post from the centre of Friday outlined, continuing, “Irrespective of natural snowfall the plan is to open for sledging and beginner ski and snowboard lessons on manmade snow by mid December. We've also been continuing to invest in improving the skiing offering with improvements to the top station of the Rannoch Chair to make life easier for beginners and snowboarders (ground has been re-profiled to make the off ramp much more gentle).”

Glencoe is also continuing to expand and improve its ski hire facilities (all bookings will be online this year) and also has improvements to its sledging slope and improved snow fencing around the mountain to ensure they retain snow in key areas. The access road, base lodges, tractor/snow plough and webcam have also been improved or will be shortly.

“We remain committed to open for skiing 7 days a week from the first day we have skiable snow to the last. We look forward to welcoming you back in a few weeks’ time,” the statement concluded.