Grab a piste of the action this winter
THE winter sports season is upon us and, from beginners to experts, Scotland’s five mountain resorts have been gearing up for you. The UK’s first resort-based snowsports festival – ‘Groove Cairngorm’ – returns to CairnGorm Mountain from February 24 – 25.
Enjoy a DJ set from Basement Jaxx and music from Edinburgh band Indigo Velvet, plus much more. Other events include the Cairngorm Ski Club Hilton Coylumbridge Open Race over the same two days; the Scottish Slopestyle Championships on March 11 and a Freestyle Jam on April 8. See cairngorm-mountain. org/winter-calendar for more.
Glencoe Mountain will run a ‘Saturday Shredders’ programme from January 7 to February 4 and from February 25 to March 25, for children aged 7+ who have started to turn and use uplift. The aim of these fun sessions is to build confidence and improve technique.
The Glencoe Rail Jam returns on January 21 and Scotland’s Premier Freestyle competition – The Coe Cup – takes place from March 18 – 19. The season closes with Mac-Avalanche. Taking place on May 5, this event sees mountain bikers make their way down the mountain crossing snowy, rocky and muddy terrain – quite a handful and bags of fun. See what else is on at glencoemountain.co.uk
The Lecht starts the season early with the Kids Burton Riglet demo on December 27, where 3-6-yearolds can try newly designed gear. Roll into the New Year and the January Jam takes place on the 14th followed by the Gordon Skiers Open on January 21. The Lecht will throw their end-of-winter bash, SlushFest, on March 25. Find out more at lecht.co.uk
Nevis Range will host a number of great events including a Valentine’s Day Experience on February 14, the Corrie Challenge, part of the 2017 Scottish Freedom Series – Scotland’s Freeride Tour – for experienced skiers and boarders on February 25 and the 2017 SSSA Alpine Race Series final on March 1 and 2. See nevisrange.co.uk
Glenshee Ski Centre’s events start with a Skimo Mountaineering Race on January 21, closely followed by a Junior Freeride Competition (January 28 – 30) and then the Glenshee Open on February 4. See what else is on at ski-glenshee.co.uk
Snow Factor, Scotland’s only indoor real snow slope offers a packed programme of events and offers throughout the year. Celebrate New Year’s Day on the piste at Braehead with a four-hour sliding session and full Scottish breakfast or if you’re a bit younger, start the New Year with sledging sessions on January 1. And Snow Factor’s first 2017 freestyle event, Bravepark, takes place on January 27. Find out more at snowfactor.com
Nevis Range, Glencoe Mountain, CairnGorm Mountain and The Lecht will host World Snow Day events on January 15, 2017 – if conditions are suitable. Each resort has its own programme, but generally events range from snowman building competitions, search and rescue demos and sledging to discounted ski and board lessons, igloo building and more. All five mountain resorts will also host programmes of events for Ski-Scotland SnowFest (March 25, 2017), with a synchronised mass descent at all five centres.
The weather can be fickle and while expectations of good snow conditions are high, get the latest conditions and weather updates and find resort contact details at ski-scotland.com