Glenshee is one of the most famous and largest ski resorts in Europe. Glenshee is located in the Cairngorm Mountains in the Grampian region of the eastern Scottish Highlands. The cities of Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness are closely located to Glenshee. Glenshee, owing to its big size, is also referred to as the ‘Scottish Three Valleys’ after the world’s largest lift-linked ski area at Courchevel and Meribel in France.

The resort elevation is 650 metres while the top elevation is 1,060 metres.

Cairngorm, The Lecht, Glencoe Mountain Resort, Nevis Range and Allenheads are some of the other resorts near Glenshee.

Skiing at Glenshee:

The ski area at Glenshee is mainly served by drag lifts. Glas Moal and Tiger Bumps are some of the sites of the steepest runs at Glenshee.

There are 40km of ski runs at Glenshee, nearly three-quarters of which are either rated easy blue or intermediate red. There are 40km (25 miles) of ski runs, three-quarters of which are rated either easy blue or intermediate red. The ski area extends over the peaks of Glas Maol, Meall Odhar, Cairnwell and Cairn Aosta.

While the beginners can mainly ski in the Sunnyside sector, the intermediates can ski on long reds beneath Glas Maol. There are also wide runs in Thunderbowl and Coire Fionn areas. The steepest run called The Tiger, is located beneath Cairnwell.

The ski season at Glenshee normally extends between December and April.

Other activities:

• Outdoors activities include hill walking, horse riding, mountain biking, fishing, bird watching and clay pigeon shooting.
• Visit to Braemar village known for its annual summer Highland Games. A representative of the royal family generally participate in this event. There are also several hard drink distilleries located nearby.
• Glenshee Pottery is another name to watch out for here. It, apart from selling ceramics, also hosts workshops over various craft making activities like needle felting, wire crocheted jewellery and silk papermaking. The workshops are held during winter.
• Family fun:
  Glenshee does not boast of indoor facilities like swimming pools and for those, one can travel to Aberdeen or Aviemore.
• Child care:
  The ski school trains children from the age of six and above while a nursery facility, which comes into operation during peak season, caters to children of two years and above. Advanced booking is important.
• Shopping:
  There is only one ski and gift shop at Glenshee.  However, choice for shoppers increases as one travels to Braemar, Royal Deeside and Aberdeen.
• Splashing out:
  One can contact Cairnwell Mountain Sports (www.cairnwellmountainsports.co.uk) for an introduction to Winter Mountaineering. A daylong course here makes one familiar with usage of the ice axe, navigation techniques and avalanche awareness.
• Après ski:
  Since many skiers come to Glenshee as day-trippers from the nearby cities, the scope of après ski remains limited to the locals, winter holidaymakers and weekenders. Spittal at Glenshee Hotel and Ceilidhs are top spots of après ski here.
• Eating out:
  Glenshee has quite a few on-mountain dining restaurants. Cairnwell Mountain Restaurant is situated mid-mountain while Meall Odhar Café is based in the middle valley over the road. Base Café, on the other hand, is situated at the car park. Dalmunzie Castle, housed in a former laird’s mansion, is also a nice place for evening food.

Accommodation:

The accommodation facilities at Glenshee comprise hotels, hostels and bread & breakfasts. There are also self-catering lodges available here.

• Dalmunzie Castle (3-star)
• The Green Park Hotel (moderate) at Pitlochry
• Gulabin Lodge (budget hostel)

Reaching Glenshee:

By air: Aberdeen (110 km) and Glasgow International (162 km) are the nearest airports to Glenshee.

By rail: Pitlochry (52 km) is the nearest railway station.

Other points: Braemar (14 km) and Blairgowrie (40 km).

Getting around:

No bus service is available at Glenshee. Visitors have to bank on their private vahicles. Extensive car parking facilities are available here.