sportsquide
Where to do it
BEST FOR: RIPPERS
NEVIS RANGE SKI CENTRE
This resort may not have the most runs, but with its bias towards red and black. it is the most like a roulette wheel. The 'Braveheart Chair‘ offers access to extensive off-piste action featuring Alpine-quality snow, with adult ski hire from $214.50. Nevis offers a free snow report text messaging service — subscribe by texting ‘SNOW‘ to 07960 133195. It also offers creche facilities for 3—7—year-olds. and booking is recommended.
I Fort William, 07397 705825. www.nevis-range.co.uk
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You’ve learned the basics and bought the gear. Now choose the best place in which to test out your snow legs. Words: David Martin
BESTFOR: SOCIAL LIFE
I Aviemore. 07479 86 7267, www. cairngormmountain. com
CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN
The scenery is breathtaking, including a stunning view from the Ptarmigan Restaurant. A terrain park is available, but due to relief you do require substantial snow depth to appreciate it. Cairngorm's funicular is the country's highest and fastest mountain railway. The journey takes around seven minutes and is almost as much fun as bonking . . . of the snowboarding variety.
ROADS TRAIN ROUTES STATIONS O
BEST FOR: PROXlMlTY GLENCOE SKI CENTRE
been the site of some bloody
from £20.
www. ski- glencoe. CO. uk
Home to Scotland‘s steepest on-piste black run, ‘The Fly Paper‘, Glencoe has
massacres. This reson is Nirvana for intermediate and advanced skiers. but boarders are welcome too. The rugged. naturally-formed funpark provides ample opportunities for shredding or some awesome face-plants. Your wallet could be a casualty. as one-day passes cost
I Kingshouse, Argyll, 07855 85 7226,
AVIEMORE O
I ' A,
PITLOCHRY C
EDINBURGH
GLASGOW
BEST FOR: OUIRKY SNOW SPORTS
till/Wim'i‘i- Aflii’l‘iiiii‘iti” Lecht is famous for its snowboarding funpark and provides facilities for the more Offbeat purSLiits Ol Si‘iow-tubing and deval karting. Tubes come in single (87) or the more romantic double ($210). and are rented by the hour. For the vertiginous combination of wheels. brakes and a frightening lack of traction. deval karting costs $34. Bigfoot has never been spotted at Lecht. but if the Hendersons were to dabble in boarding. this family friendly resort would be their centre of choice.
I Strathdon, 0 7975 65 7440. wwwlechtcouk
BEST FOR: SLOPE CHOICE GLENSHEE are Even costlier than its sister at Glencoe. your extra 50p-—S.‘.t on a day pass reaps dividends in the breadth of facilities available. Glenshee offers tuition at similar rates to Glencoe. and here you can also try telemarking. which combines hill-walking. climbing and downhill skiing. Braemar Mountain Sports (01339 741242) will rent telemarking equipment from $212. When you're telemarking you feel the urge to borrow Roberto Carlos' thighs - it demands a fitness impossible to attain at your desk.
I Cairnwe/I. by Brae/nan 07339 74 7 320. www.ski-g/e/is/iee.co.iik
DRY SLOPES
Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre Bella/iouston Park, 76 Drumbreck Road, Glasgow. 0747 42 7 499 7, www. ski-glasgow. org Two dendix/PBT slopes. the largest of which is 25m wide and 90m long. Glasgow has a beginners' slope and mogul run. Prices start at £8 for juniors and $210 for adults (both off- peak) and include all-day use of slopes. ski. pole and boot hire. Midlothian Ski Centre Hillend, Biggar Road. Midlothian, 0737 445 4433, ski. mi'd/ofhi'an. gov. uk
Five PVC mesh matting slopes. the
largest of which is 30m wide and 400m long. Hillend includes a beginners' slope. mogul run and jump slope. Prices start at £5 for juniors and £7.50 adults and include use of slopes (1hr). ski. pole and boot hire.
USEFUL CONTACTS Snowsport Scotland Hillend. Biggar Road. Midlothian, 0737 445 4 75 7 , www. snowsponscot/and. org National governing body of skiing and snowboarding, and a good for practical advice on getting started. Glasgow Ski Club 7 Teawe/l
Road. Newton Mearns. Glasgow. 0747 639 5706.
www. skig/asgow. co. uk
41 years old. this Glasgow-based club also promotes hill-walking and welcomes beginners. providing them with subsidised lessons. Edinburgh Ski Club 2 Howe Street. Edinburgh. 0737 220 3727. www. edinburg/iskic/i 11). erg. i/k Arranges ski holidays. and trips to Italy. Switzerland and France are planned for January- March 2004.
PHOTOS: Additional photography courtesy of VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint and Midlothian Ski Centre.
22 THE LIST 130 Oct—13 NOV 2003