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Forecast today: Light rain
- Max temp: 7.3 °c
- Min temp: 6 °c
- Last snowed: Mon 23 Dec
The 40km of slopes spread out on either side of the A93 and can be found in three separate valleys.
Beginner- Fast lifts
- Intermediate
- Resort Activities
- Advanced
- Aprés
- Snow
Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort ActivitiesPros and cons
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Lots of varied skiing spread over three valleys
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Good lift system for Scotland with several chairlifts that soak up queues
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Glas Maol is a fantastic area for advanced skiers and boarders
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Good accommodation options nearby
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Lower runs can suffer in bad snow years
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Limited snowmaking capacity compared to other Scottish resorts
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Sadly Glas Maol is not open often enough
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Road prone to closure in bad weather
On the Slopes
As with nearby Lecht, there is no accommodation on the hill, but there are a choice of food and drink stops, including the Cairnwell Café, Base Café and Meall Odhar Café. If you’re staying here for several days we’d recommend the options in Braemar to the north or one of the several campsites, B&Bs and lodges located to the south on the road towards Blairgowrie – which in itself makes for a decent option.
As with all Scottish resorts, conditions can at times be unreliable but on a good day, skiing in Scotland can rival the world’s best – and you’d be certainly hard pushed to find more spectacular scenery. For this reason stay as flexible as possible and be prepared to drop everything and dash to the mountains when conditions are good!
There are two main ski sectors at Glenshee, located either side of the Base Lodge and the A93. The Cairnwell slopes to the west are home to the best beginner areas and some long, winding routes in Butchart’s Coire, as well as the infamous Tiger slope from the Cairnwell summit. On the other side of the road, lifts rise up Sunnyside to a network of greens into Meall Odhar, from which drags take you out towards the tougher, longer slopes of Coire Fionn and Glas Maol.
The beginner slopes at Glenshee are located right next to the road and just below the Base Lodge, where there is also an artificial slope. Sadly the resort does not possess the largest snowmaking arsenal, meaning that snow reliability can suffer. However, in good conditions there is excellent progression on to the longer Claybokie drag and the Bunny Run on the Cairnwell side, and to the Sunnyside and Cluny slopes over the A93.
Glenshee is possibly Scotland’s best bet for intermediates, especially in a good winter when all of the runs are open. The race tracks of the Cairnwell t- bar and the winding blues of Carn Aosda are popular, whilst confident intermediates will enjoy the sense of travel getting all the way across to Glas Maol when conditions allow. Even if that lift isn’t open, the Coire Fionn runs are snowsure and often in great condition, whilst the rolling terrain of Caenlochan is one of the most fun areas to explore in the resort.
When the snow is right, Glenshee is home to arguably Scotland’s most formidable run – the Tiger. Yes it might not be as steep as the Flypaper at Glencoe, but big bumps often form and it certainly is not for the feint-hearted. In addition, Glas Maol turns into one big playground for advanced skiers and boarders after fresh snowfall.
In the Resort
On the hill the Base Lodge acts as the focal point, but there are also on-hill food and drink offerings at the Cairnwell and Meall Odhar cafés. All accommodation is located down the hill, either to the north in Braemar or to the south between the resort and Blairgowrie.
Braemar has a lot of accommodation to choose from and also allows easy access to Lecht further north giving you another option if you’re staying for an extended period of time or if the Scottish weather is playing some tricks on you. You can even stay a little further down the River Dee Valley in one of the cottages on the Balmoral Estate, the Monarch’s official summer residence.
For Families
There are good beginner facilities and the chairlifts make accessing some of the easier slopes much easier, making this a good option on the skiing front for families.
For Après
Off the slopes there is not a huge amount of organised activity, but coming up to this part of the Highlands for the scenery and tranquillity more than makes up for this! As everyone has to drive back down, there is no real action on the hill. Head down to Braemar where the Fife Arms or the Invercauld Arms Hotel bars are good spots for a post-skiing dram or two. A visit to the nearby Royal Lochnagar distillery is also well worth it.
Getting to Glenshee
- Aberdeen: 1.75 hours
- Edinburgh: 2 hours
- Glasgow: 2 hours
Season Dates
Scotland aims to ski from mid-December until mid-April – conditions are sufficiently varied that resorts often do not provide formal opening and closing dates.
Glenshee Piste Map
Access the map in PDF format
Glenshee PDFTop (1068m)
| Sun 29 Dec | Mon 30 Dec | Tue 31 Dec | Wed 1 Jan | Thu 2 Jan | Fri 3 Jan | Sat 4 Jan | Sun 5 Jan | Mon 6 Jan | Tue 7 Jan | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light rain |
Light rain |
Light rain |  Rain |
 Rain and snow |
 Snow | Rain and snow |
Snow |
Light snow | Snow shower |
Snow |
Light snow | Light snow |
Snow grains |
 Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Partly cloudy |
Occasional snow | Snow grains |
Light snow |
Generally clear | Occasional snow |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy | Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
Mainly fair | Mainly fair |
 Broken clouds |
Rather cloudy |
| Wind |  |
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| |
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| |
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|
| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.6 cm | 16.7 cm | 0.2 cm | 5.3 cm | 1.2 cm | 3.7 cm | 13.4 cm | 6.4 cm | 1.8 cm | 1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.9 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 4.2°c | 4.3°c | 4.3°c | 3.5°c | 3.5°c | 0.1°c | 1.7°c | 0.7°c | -2.8°c | -5.2°c | -4.6°c | -4.3°c | -4.7°c | -4.6°c | -6.2°c | -5.7°c | -5.3°c | -4.5°c | -4.9°c | -5.8°c | -7.9°c | -6.9°c | -6.9°c | -7.1°c | -5.8°c | -5.8°c | -5.7°c | -3.7°c | -3.4°c | -3°c |
| Min temp | 3.9°c | 3.8°c | 3.3°c | 2.9°c | 0.1°c | -0.5°c | 0.7°c | -2.8°c | -5°c | -5.7°c | -5.2°c | -4.6°c | -5.1°c | -6.2°c | -7.5°c | -8.1°c | -5.7°c | -5.4°c | -5.9°c | -7.9°c | -8.1°c | -7.7°c | -7.4°c | -7.4°c | -7.3°c | -6.6°c | -6.6°c | -5.7°c | -3.7°c | -3.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -0.7°c | -1.1°c | -0.4°c | -1.8°c | -0.8°c | -3.2°c | -3.2°c | -4.6°c | -9.7°c | -10.8°c | -11.3°c | -12.1°c | -11.4°c | -11.5°c | -12.3°c | -13.8°c | -11.4°c | -11.4°c | -10.5°c | -11.4°c | -13.9°c | -13.9°c | -13.2°c | -13.8°c | -13.3°c | -11°c | -12°c | -11°c | -8.3°c | -8.9°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light rain |
Light rain |
Light rain |
| Wind | |
|
|
| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 4.2°c | 4.3°c | 4.3°c |
| Min temp | 3.9°c | 3.8°c | 3.3°c |
| Feels like temp | -0.7°c | -1.1°c | -0.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Rain |
Rain and snow |
Snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.6 cm | 16.7 cm |
| Max temp | 3.5°c | 3.5°c | 0.1°c |
| Min temp | 2.9°c | 0.1°c | -0.5°c |
| Feels like temp | -1.8°c | -0.8°c | -3.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Rain and snow |
Snow |
Light snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.2 cm | 5.3 cm | 1.2 cm |
| Max temp | 1.7°c | 0.7°c | -2.8°c |
| Min temp | 0.7°c | -2.8°c | -5°c |
| Feels like temp | -3.2°c | -4.6°c | -9.7°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Snow shower |
Snow |
Light snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 3.7 cm | 13.4 cm | 6.4 cm |
| Max temp | -5.2°c | -4.6°c | -4.3°c |
| Min temp | -5.7°c | -5.2°c | -4.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -10.8°c | -11.3°c | -12.1°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light snow |
Snow grains |
Generally clear |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 1.8 cm | 1 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -4.7°c | -4.6°c | -6.2°c |
| Min temp | -5.1°c | -6.2°c | -7.5°c |
| Feels like temp | -11.4°c | -11.5°c | -12.3°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly fair |
Partly cloudy |
Occasional snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.3 cm |
| Max temp | -5.7°c | -5.3°c | -4.5°c |
| Min temp | -8.1°c | -5.7°c | -5.4°c |
| Feels like temp | -13.8°c | -11.4°c | -11.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Snow grains |
Light snow |
Generally clear |
| Wind | |
|
|
| Snow expected | 0.7 cm | 0.9 cm | 0.4 cm |
| Max temp | -4.9°c | -5.8°c | -7.9°c |
| Min temp | -5.9°c | -7.9°c | -8.1°c |
| Feels like temp | -10.5°c | -11.4°c | -13.9°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Occasional snow |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
| Wind | |
|
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| Snow expected | 0.3 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.7 cm |
| Max temp | -6.9°c | -6.9°c | -7.1°c |
| Min temp | -7.7°c | -7.4°c | -7.4°c |
| Feels like temp | -13.9°c | -13.2°c | -13.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
Mainly fair |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -5.8°c | -5.8°c | -5.7°c |
| Min temp | -7.3°c | -6.6°c | -6.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -13.3°c | -11°c | -12°c |
Resort (650m)
| Sun 29 Dec | Mon 30 Dec | Tue 31 Dec | Wed 1 Jan | Thu 2 Jan | Fri 3 Jan | Sat 4 Jan | Sun 5 Jan | Mon 6 Jan | Tue 7 Jan | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light rain |
Light rain |
Light rain | Rain |
Rain |
Rain | Rain |
Rain and snow |
Occasional snow | Snow shower |
Snow shower |
Snow shower | Snow grains |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Generally clear |
Partly cloudy | Mainly fair |
Mainly fair |
Mainly fair | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy | Mainly fair |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Partly cloudy |
Rather cloudy |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.6 cm | 3.1 cm | 10.8 cm | 4.4 cm | 0.9 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 7.3°c | 7.3°c | 7.3°c | 7.3°c | 7.3°c | 4.4°c | 5.1°c | 4.9°c | 0.8°c | -1.9°c | -1.5°c | -1.5°c | -1.5°c | -1.5°c | -3.6°c | -3.2°c | -2.6°c | -2.1°c | -2.6°c | -2.6°c | -4.7°c | -3.8°c | -3.8°c | -4.4°c | -2.7°c | -2.7°c | -3.4°c | -0.9°c | -0.7°c | -0.7°c |
| Min temp | 6.9°c | 7°c | 6°c | 5.5°c | 4.4°c | 2.3°c | 4.7°c | 0.8°c | -1.8°c | -2.8°c | -2°c | -1.8°c | -2.4°c | -3.6°c | -5.5°c | -6°c | -3.2°c | -2.7°c | -3.4°c | -4.7°c | -5.4°c | -5.2°c | -4.8°c | -4.8°c | -4.9°c | -3.7°c | -3.7°c | -3.7°c | -1°c | -0.9°c |
| Feels like temp | 4°c | 4.1°c | 4.2°c | 2.3°c | 4.6°c | 4.2°c | 1.7°c | 1.6°c | -4.5°c | -6.1°c | -6.5°c | -8.3°c | -7.3°c | -6.6°c | -8.5°c | -10.8°c | -7.7°c | -7.4°c | -6.7°c | -6.5°c | -9.4°c | -10.4°c | -8.7°c | -10.2°c | -10.3°c | -6.9°c | -8.3°c | -8.1°c | -4.6°c | -5.3°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
|
|
| Wind | |
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|
| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 7.3°c | 7.3°c | 7.3°c |
| Min temp | 6.9°c | 7°c | 6°c |
| Feels like temp | 4°c | 4.1°c | 4.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
|
|
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 7.3°c | 7.3°c | 4.4°c |
| Min temp | 5.5°c | 4.4°c | 2.3°c |
| Feels like temp | 2.3°c | 4.6°c | 4.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
|
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| Wind | |
|
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.6 cm |
| Max temp | 5.1°c | 4.9°c | 0.8°c |
| Min temp | 4.7°c | 0.8°c | -1.8°c |
| Feels like temp | 1.7°c | 1.6°c | -4.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 3.1 cm | 10.8 cm | 4.4 cm |
| Max temp | -1.9°c | -1.5°c | -1.5°c |
| Min temp | -2.8°c | -2°c | -1.8°c |
| Feels like temp | -6.1°c | -6.5°c | -8.3°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.9 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -1.5°c | -1.5°c | -3.6°c |
| Min temp | -2.4°c | -3.6°c | -5.5°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.3°c | -6.6°c | -8.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm |
| Max temp | -3.2°c | -2.6°c | -2.1°c |
| Min temp | -6°c | -3.2°c | -2.7°c |
| Feels like temp | -10.8°c | -7.7°c | -7.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
|
|
| Wind | |
|
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| Snow expected | 0.3 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -2.6°c | -2.6°c | -4.7°c |
| Min temp | -3.4°c | -4.7°c | -5.4°c |
| Feels like temp | -6.7°c | -6.5°c | -9.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm |
| Max temp | -3.8°c | -3.8°c | -4.4°c |
| Min temp | -5.2°c | -4.8°c | -4.8°c |
| Feels like temp | -10.4°c | -8.7°c | -10.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -2.7°c | -2.7°c | -3.4°c |
| Min temp | -4.9°c | -3.7°c | -3.7°c |
| Feels like temp | -10.3°c | -6.9°c | -8.3°c |
Resort Conditions
| Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 23/12/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Next 3 days | 33.4 cm | |
| Depths | Upper piste depth | 10 cm |
| Lower piste depth | 10 cm | |
| Snow conditions | Snow quality | Artificial snow |
| Lifts | Lifts open | 1 out of 21 |
| Resort opening date | Mon 23 Dec 2024 | |
| Resort closing date | Sun 30 Mar 2025 |
Scotland
Updated 24/12
A mild and unsettled Christmas week, especially for the West Coast, sees temperatures hovering the wrong size of freezing and plenty of rain across Christmas, Boxing Day and the remainder of the week.
Things will begin to change as the weekend concludes and the New Year week begins, with temperatures falling and rain turning to snow across the Highlands. This will be met with strong winds too, however, limiting this snow’s ability to stick around.
The Ski Club office is closed on Friday 28 December – there will be no overviews published on this date, returning Tuesday 31 December. The Ski Club wishes you a Merry Christmas!
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