Scotland

With the blue skies of the Alps only a short flight away, Scotland probably isn't your first choice for a week on the slopes.

Sharing a latitude with Moscow and famous for high winds, unpredictable snowfall and limited visibility, Scotland attracts a hardy sort of skier.

However, it's possible to combine a day or two's skiing or snowboarding in Scotland with a trip to one of its fine cities. So, after a hard day on the hill, you've got a spot of culture waiting for you - not to mention a bar or two.

Cost

Travel and accommodation anywhere in the British Isles is reasonably dear. That said, you'll find a huge range of places to stay and eat in any of Scotland's cities. An average adult lift pass for the day will set you back about £25 (US$50).

Getting here

Cairngorm is just an hour from Inverness by car and has arguably the best terrain and snow record of all ski resorts in Scotland.

Lecht is popular with beginners and not much more than an hour and a half from Aberdeen. Glencoe - which boasts the steepest run in Scotland - is a similar distance by car from Glasgow.

The Nevis Range offers the highest skiing or snowboarding in Scotland. Inverness is the closest city (Glasgow's also accessible), but the logical place to base yourself is Fort William, just 10kms away.

If you're staying in Edinburgh and still want to get out there, the resorts of Glencoe and Glenshee are about three hours by car.

To compare ski resorts in Scotland by runs, lifts or facilities, see our Resort Comparison pages.