30 Best Ski-In And Ski-Out Resorts In the UK
Once you've experienced the sheer joy of skiing at your doorstep, the days of walking around in ski boots or squeezing onto shuttle buses seem to be a thing of the past. We all are eager to ski this winter, but in the dilemma to choose where to ski in the United Kingdom. Well, in that case, we are here and curated only for you the best places to ski this winter in the UK.
While many people will be hitting the European slopes this winter, it's also worth looking closer to home if you want to have some fun in the snow, and just enjoy a ski holiday in the UK. Head to Scotland for an alpine experience that isn't too far removed from Switzerland and has some pretty well-known resorts. And given the right conditions, even Cumbria can offer great drives. Go for Klook, Arena Hotels and more to save more!
Can you ski in England? Find out the snowiest places in the UK to ski and snowboard, and how to make the most of a rare snow day.
Top Ski-In & Ski-Out Resorts In The UK
1. GLENSHEE, ABERDEENSHIRE
Glenshee Ski Centre claims to have the largest ski resorts in Britain, with 25 miles of slopes on four mountains. There are 22 lifts and 36 runs offering an incredible variety of natural terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Braemar Ski Centre is open for skiing and snowboarding from mid-December to April, while the Base Cafe is open all year.
There are wide open tracks, sheltered stretches, jumps, a natural half-pipe and a challenging slalom race course. This makes it a popular venue on days with good conditions, but booking online means you can skip the queues at the ticket office.
2. LECHT, ABERDEENSHIRE
Let 2090, as its name suggests, sits 637m above sea level amidst the beauty of the Eastern Cairngorms and is a great resort for beginners.
One of Scotland's smaller resorts with shorter inclines, it's popular with families, but not as crowded as other resorts. As the location is in the Cairngorms National Park, you can enjoy the stunning scenery without all the crowds, especially if you go on a weekday. Lecht is also a good weekend alternative to the busier Cairngorm tourist hub of Aviemore. The ski centre has a bar/restaurant with the usual suspect après-ski like hot chocolate, mulled wine and more.
3. CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN, AVIEMORE
Cairngorm Mountain has been offering snow sports for over 50 years and is one of Scotland's most popular ski and snowboard destinations. Depending on the weather, the snow sports season usually lasts from December to April and there are 11 lifts plus a funicular to take you to the top of the mountain.
At the top, you can enjoy a breathtaking view before taking advantage of the 30 km of slopes from green to black. The centre has a ski/snowboard school with lessons for all levels and equipment rental on-site.
4. NEVIS RANGE, SCOTLAND
Dreaming of skiing in Scotland? Well, this is the one for you!
Nevis Range Scotland's newest ski resort at Aonach Mor is open from December to April and has 12 miles of slopes. The slopes of the Nevis Range are surrounded by spectacular scenery and offer easy backcountry access for experienced skiers and snowboarders. It's the best ski slopes in the UK.
The centre offers back corrie workshops specifically tailored to field conditions. This location is usually best later in the season (February/March) as it relies on westerly winds to fill the snow bowls. For beginners, there are many blue and green runs near the mountain station, as well as a dry run for days with little snow. You will find 12 lifts, along with a mountain Gondola.
5. GLENCOE MOUNTAIN, ARGYLL
Glencoe Resort has 20 runs of varying difficulty and 8 different lifts making it suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Beginners can practice on the gentle plateau slopes, while experienced skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of some of the best natural terrain in Scotland, including some incredibly long and steep slopes.
The resort offers group and private classes, a great cafeteria, and a variety of accommodations, from micro lodges to tent sites and RV docks. Want to ski jumping in the UK? This is the one for you!
Make sure to check out the travel restrictions before making your plan in the UK here.
6. RAISE, HELVELLYN, CUMBRIA
With a cable car running most weekends, conditions permitting, the Lake District Ski Club is one of several in the north of England. It offers the best snow conditions on the lakes and there are up to nine runs available (depending on conditions), the longest of which is nearly a mile long.
Some level of fitness is required as the Raise is a steep hike of around an hour; hiking poles are a good idea and bring crampons if it's icy. Do not forget warm clothes, food and drinks. Skiing the Raise is not for the faint-hearted: the descents lead over rough terrain and vary greatly depending on weather conditions; it is worth asking local operators which ones are suitable.
7. ALLENHEADS, NORTHUMBERLAND
Don't let the fact that you have to be a member stop you from skiing in Allenheads. Membership is easy to obtain and costs less than a few days of skiing at major commercial resorts. Allenheads Ski Club welcomes all skill levels and is a great place to get started on the slopes. Drag lifts are already in place so keep an eye on the snow report on the website for details on when it's good to ski.
Try BreakFree Holidays, you can enjoy by saving money!
8. YAD MOSS, CUMBRIA
Yad Moss has the longest single-button chairlift in England, while the Pennines Dales and Highlands are ideal for cross-country skiing.
Like Allenheads, Yad Moss is a membership pending, but it's also possible to buy day passes. The ski area has a chairlift that is approximately 600 m long. It is suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, but not suitable for the inexperienced.
The camp has a cabin and the village of Allenheads is a (very) short walk away and has toilets, Hemmel Cafe and Allenheads Inn. Go for Corinthia Hotels to save while booking.
9. WEARDALE SKI, DURHAM
Weardale Ski Club was founded in 1963 and delivers genuine snow skiing on Swinhope Moor. The site is run by volunteers (extra hands are always appreciated!), and visitors shouldn't expect a gleaming ski resort, but the facilities on site are well-maintained and include two permanent lifts and a two-story lodge and ski shop. . Full membership is open to everyone, but will close once they reach their maximum number. Go for Diamond Resorts, while booking.
10. INDOOR SKIING, UK
Now, let's see what the finest Skiing and snowboarding in the UK holds for us.
Even if you don't come to one of the "natural" ski areas, you can still experience some great skiing. Skiing in UK indoor snow has become so much easier with these indoor resorts from Bluebayresorts.com that give access to the 'real' artificial snow. Hurry, pack your warm clothes!
11. SNOW ZONE, MILTON KEYNES
Snow zone, the largest real snow-covered resort in Europe, is suitable for all levels. The centre of Milton Keynes has a 175m main track, as well as a gym, shops, cinema, bowling alley and cafe/bar/restaurant. Instructional and refresher courses are available, as well as ice sledging and slides, both great for kids.
12. SNOW ZONE, CASTLEFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE
Castleford's main track is 150m long and there is also a 40m practice track for beginners. The grounds are quite extensive, and in addition to the usual equipment rentals and cafe/restaurant, there are indoor and outdoor skate parks, a bowling alley, a movie theatre, and a high ropes course. Go for Viator while you book. You can save a ton.
13. THE SNOW CENTRE, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
The main slope of the snow centre is 160 m long and there is also a 100 m long training slope. In addition to the cafeteria and restaurant, there is a shop and equipment rental, as well as tobogganing and freestyle sessions. Lessons are available to anyone who wants them, and a wide range of ticket options means you can spend as much or as little time on the slopes as you like.
14. CHILL FACTOR, MANCHESTER
As well as a 180m main track and a dedicated beginners area, Chill Factore also has a fun park with jumps and rails, perfect for freestylers (lessons are available for those new to freestylers). If you want to take a break from skiing, the centre also offers a climbing wall, tubing tracks, shops (including equipment rental), restaurants, and bars.
15. SNOWDOME, TAMWORTH
Tamworth has a 170m main run plus two beginner runs (30m and 25m) meaning it offers a range of skiing for all ages and abilities (equipment is included in the ticket price). Ice skating, tubing, and sledging are also available as alternatives to skiing or snowboarding, along with a fitness centre and pool. There are a few cafes/restaurants for the hungry little ones.
CLOSEST ONE TO UK
Visit Iberostar.com, Lopesan and more...
Are you googling "skiing near me"? are you sick of your homeland and want to explore nearby areas but not too far from your home? Then this just might be the perfect list for you! We have compiled a list of the closest ski resorts to the UK by air and these are the best ski resorts in Europe; We have taken into account the flight and transfer times. You can earn extra time to ski at these ski resorts due to the easy connections to the airports:
16. SEEFELD, AUSTRIA: (takes 2hrs:20 mins)
There are smaller ski resorts near the Innsbruck airport, but Seefeld is the first truly notable ski resort to visit when you land in Austria. The beautiful ski area has a transfer time of 30 minutes, which is great if you want to add extra hours on the slopes to both sides of your ski vacation. This makes Seefeld one of the closest ski areas to Great Britain.
There are 27 km of slopes to enjoy or if you want to try something different there are also 250 km of cross-country ski slopes. The town is elegant and has great alpine authenticity.
17. CHAMONIX, FRANCE: (takes 2hrs:25 mins)
Geneva is a fantastic hub for those voyaging to the Alps. Chamonix in France is one of the closest ski resorts to London, as the transfer takes 50 minutes from the Swiss airport on a good day. The French Ski Resort is a great ski resort with easy access. Enjoy 150 km of slopes in a short time. There are a variety of slopes for different levels of ski ability and you can also admire views of the legendary Mont Blanc.
18. CRANS MONTANA, SWITZERLAND: (takes 2hrs:26 mins)
Due to its proximity to Sion Airport, Crans Montana is one of the closest Swiss ski areas to the UK. The transfer only takes 36 minutes, but the only problem is that flights to Sion are hard to book at the best of times. So, you need to keep an eye on flights if you want a quick transfer to the slopes. The Swiss ski area offers 140 km of varied slopes to explore.
19. MEGEVE, FRANCE
Another French ski resort is one of the closest ski resorts in Megève. It is one of the most elegant ski resorts in France and has some great ski resorts to offer. Away from the slopes, there are many stylish boutiques and delicious restaurants and bars to visit.
WORLD'S TOP ON THE LIST
Most ski-out resorts were built on purposely chosen mountain slopes in the 1960s and 1970s, with comfort as the top priority. Some are architectural marvels of their time, others. Give a sneak-peak at Millennium Hotels, Ski France even more before you go for booking because you can save a ton!
Let's just say they aren't fairytale mountain villages, but who cares when the setting is so spectacular and easily accessible?
20. AVORIAZ
This place claims to have the best ski resorts in the world. Book with Ski France for a nice weather and facilities while you ski this season.
When you're at a ski resort like Portes du Soleil, you want to spend every second exploring it. And this is where Avoriaz 1800 comes in. You will find it in the highest position in the gigantic 650 km long, completely car-free and ski-friendly ski area. From high-end hotels to tiny apartments, ski slopes are everywhere, and as a lovely touch, when you're not running on your skis, snowboard, or sleigh, you can take a horse-drawn carriage around the resort.
21. LA PLAGNE
What trumps with a ski area on your doorstep? Multiple ski resorts with ski slopes on your doorstep... Whether you are in Plagne Soleil, Plagne 1800, Plagne 2100, Belle Plagne, Plagne Centre, Aime la Plagne, Montchavin-Les Coches, Bellecote OR Plagne Villages, there are accommodations that you will be on the slopes in seconds.
This multi-village resort, created in the 1960s, is part of a large ski area, the Paradiski. 425 km of slopes are your playground, connecting Plagne with the other ski resort, Les Arcs.
22. LES ARCS
Les Arcs has four villages, all deliberately located on the slopes of the mountains of the magnificent Paradiski ski area. Arc 1600 was the first to be built in 1968, followed by Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 in the 1970s, and most recently Arc 1950 in 2003.
These ski-to-the-door resorts are car-free, with hotels, chalets and apartments, which offer you quick access to the second largest contiguous ski area in the world, where 70% of the slopes are safe snow at more than 2000 m altitudes.
Where can I ski in December UK?
Go for Sykes Cottages, Vila Gale and more and save more.)
You can visit:
23. Cairngorms
24. Aviemore
25. Glencoe
Where is the best snow for skiing in 2022?
-
Cervinia, Italy.
-
Avoriaz, France.
-
Kaprun, Austria.
-
Tignes, France.
-
Obergurgl, Austria.
-
St Anton, Austria.
-
Whistler, Canada.
-
Val Thorens, France.
Where is the best place to ski this winter?
-
Three Valley, France
-
Portes du Soeil, France
-
Escape Killy, France
-
Paradiski, France
-
Dolomites, Italy
Where do people in the UK go skiing?
6 ski slopes in the UK produce real snow, and they are:
-
Braehead (Glasgow)
-
Castleford (Snozone)
-
Manchester (Chill Factore)
-
Tamworth SnowDome
-
Milton Keynes
-
Hemel Hempstead (The Snow Centre)
Where is England's largest skiing Centre?
The Basingstoke site has a rotating dry track and Milton Keynes is the largest indoor powder track in Europe and also has some freestyle features.
Where Did Princess Diana ski?
Lech, Austria!
The picturesque town of Lech was one of Princess Diana's favourite places. She was an annual visitor and was the destination of Prince William and Harry's first ski trip.
Where does Kate Middleton ski?
Courchevel!
Avid skiers, William and Kate have visited Courchevel on several occasions, even before their wedding. The couple has also gone skiing at the adjacent Méribel Resort.
Where does Prince Charles go skiing?
The British royal family is famous for hitting the slopes. Many columns fill up in the world's press every winter when it comes to your ski trips. Klosters is known to be Prince Charles' favourite vacation spot. But the younger generation (William and Kate) can also be seen on the Verbier slopes.
Where do the Royals go skiing?
While they are known for spending their ski holidays in places like Verbier in Switzerland and Courchevel in France, the royal family is fond of Klosters, the luxury ski resort in the Swiss Alps.