For those seeking a no-fly ski holiday, Glencoe Mountain Resort in the Scottish Highlands offers an affordable alternative to European slopes. The resort, which opened in 1956, is the oldest of Scotland's five ski centres and lies a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Loch Fyne. Mid-January saw a decent snowfall, with temperatures at -1C, prompting a spontaneous visit after checking snow reports.
Managing director Andy Meldrum noted that the season has started well, with most lifts and runs open. “The weather has been great this year,” he said. “There’s plenty of snow at the moment.” The journey to the resort passes through Rannoch Moor, a landscape of peat moorland and lochans that featured in the James Bond film Skyfall.
Skiing at Glencoe requires flexibility. The pistes are less manicured than those in the Alps, with patches of grass and streams to navigate. The main lift is a single-seat chairlift, and skiers must also contend with button lifts and T-bars. Visibility can drop suddenly; at the top of the mountain, 1,108 metres up, a light cloud narrowed focus but revealed views of nearby munros, including Buachaille Etive Mor.
Après-ski is distinctly Scottish: instead of fondue, the café serves morning rolls with bacon, egg, black pudding, tattie scones or lorne sausage, alongside Irn-Bru. While a scotch pie was unavailable, the experience offers a rugged charm that appeals to those willing to trade polished runs for authentic Highland skiing.
