Glenshee guide & reviews Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Glenshee
Resort review
Glenshee takes its name from the Gaelic language and means "Glen of the Fairies". The ski centre sits at 650m in East Perthshire and is known as the Scottish 3 Valleys with the ski area spanning 4 mountain peaks.
Glenshee après-ski
The words "apres-ski" that you are familiar with in the Alps or Colorado Rocky Mountain ski resorts don't really apply to Glenshee. There are no resort bars or restaurants other than the base lift station cafe. Instead, you have the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar (20 minutes drive) or the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel just 5 minutes away. Otherwise, the evening entertainment can be sat around the lodge campfires, enjoying a bottle of wine and watching the Northen Lights.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 650m |
| Top lift | 1068m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 40 |
| Longest run | 1 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 0 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✘ |
| Apres ski | Non locally |
Glenshee ski area guide
Glenshee is the UK's largest ski area with over 40kms of pistes serviced by 22 lifts, most of whch are T-bars and bitton lifts. The ski terrain spans both side of the Glenshee Valley and caters for complete beginners to experts. Starting at 650m, the lifts wind their way up the mountain to a top level of 1068m giving a vertical of 418m.
The season typically starts in December and ends at the beginning of April although this can vary enormously with the extent of snow cover. With no trees to protect the pistes from high winds, the slopes can have any fresh powder dumps blown off as quickly as it arrived. The best bet to get a good days skiing is to keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to make a last minute trip.
Beginners
If you are trying out skiing for the first time, the nursery slopes next to the main car park in front of the base station shops is where you will learn the basic skills. Then its to the top of the mountain and unlike many ski resorts where there are typically reds and blacks, Glenshee provides 11 green runs giving beginners that full high mountain experience.
Intermediate
The Glenshee ski area is perfect for intermediate skiers & snowboarders with 26 blue and red runs spread over 4 mountain peaks. From the wide open and cruising pistes of the Thunderbowl to the snow fields at the back at Coire Fionn, skiing around Glenshee is great fun....
Advanced
For the experienced skier, there are 2 challenging black runs. The first is called the Tiger and whilst not particularly steep, the trail is full of moguls. The other black run on the left hand face of Glas Maol will give you an adrenaline rush. It was built for speed and was home to the 1985 Smirnoff British Speed Skiing Championships.
Snowboard
From the natural 1/4 pipes of Butchart's Coire to the terrain park, Glenshee has some of the best freestyle terrain in Scotland. Freeriding the steep terrain of the Thunder Bowl is popular as are the jumps at Butchart's Coire. Whether you are a beginner or experienced rider, the Glenshee ski area has something for all abilities.
Featured holiday rentals
Whilst there is camping at the ski centre, many people choose to stay in guest houses and self catering holiday homes during the winter months. A short drive from the ski centre are some quaint hamlets or "spittals" such as the Spittal of Glenshee or further afield, the town of Braemar. For families, friends and group, renting a cottage or lodge is great value and provides the flexibility, freedom and space to do what you want, when you want.
See all rentals
Things to see & do in Glenshee
When the weather is not great or you fancy a change from skiing, the area around Glenshee is packed with interesting things to see and do including...
- Visit Braemar - a picture postcard village surround by mountains and forests
- Llama Trekking in Glenshee
- Balmoral castle
- Glenshee Pottery and Visitor Centre
Our view on Glenshee
The ski areas at Glenshee cater for all levels of skier and boarder including ski touring enthusiasts who enoy exploring the back-country. What sets Glenshee apart from the other Scottish ski resorts is that its uncrowded, family friendly and has not lost its traditional look and feel - an authentic Scottish Highland experience.
