The mountain resort that put Scotland on the map as a winter destination
It’s hard to overstate the impact that the Cairngorm Mountain resort has had both on Scotland’s reputation as a winter sports destination, and on Aviemore’s expansion from a quiet village into an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
The arrival of the White Lady chairlift helped open the door to commercial skiing in 1961. And since then, the mountain has become a Mecca for skiers and snowboarders, served by the UK’S only funicular railway. With climate change comes shorter ski seasons though, so bosses at Cairngorm Mountain have been working to turn this jewel in the Highlands’ crown into a year-round attraction. Take tubing for example. The Cairngorm Mountain tubing park promises all the thrills and spills of hurtling down the slopes, without the need for snow or expensive equipment. Inflatable tubes are provided, the views over Loch Morlich and the Spey Valley are glorious, and there’s a series of slides suitable for all ages and abilities. Right next door is the most recent addition to the resort. The new bike park opened in the summer of 2023, offering a range of biking trails to suit all ages and abilities. There are more than 3km (2 miles) of trails here and two 100m (328ft) conveyors take riders to the top of the lower zone, where riders can access the easier routes, while there are climb trails for those who want to aim higher. Bike hire is available, including electric bikes, or you can bring your own for a proper workout. Or you might prefer to keep it simple and just put one foot in front of the other. Cairngorm Mountain is a gateway to the greater Cairngorms massif. And Highlands and Islands Enterprise has invested £2 million in mountain path repairs in recent years. There are walking trails to suit the leisurely strollers, as well as those with the summit in their sights. The Lower Cas loop leads up the right-hand side of the funicular railway towards the middle of the mountain. It starts from the Cairngorm Mountain day lodge and it’s perfect for a gentle family walk. Setting off from the main car park, the Windy Ridge climb leads up the left-hand side of Coire Cas onto the upper mountain. It’s steeper but still suitable for most abilities. Both will take you on to the summit path if you’re equipped for serious walking. The views across the Cairngorm plateau towards Ben Macdui are worth the effort and on a good day you can see as far north as Ben Wyvis and the mountain ranges above Ullapool. Beyond the ski area, there are plenty of walking trails leading into the Cairngorms. But be prepared. Cairn Gorm is Britain’s sixth tallest mountain and it’s not for the foolhardy or ill-equipped.
And if that all sounds a bit too energetic for your liking, you may want to take refuge in the mountain garden, where the rangers have cultivated a mini mountain habitat from the shrubs and trees that grow on the hill.
As well as attracting all kinds of mountain wildlife, it’s home to the highest working phone box in the UK. In a time before mobile phones, this was once the only way to reach emergency services if there had been an accident on the mountain.