Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Aviemore
CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN
Cairngorm Mountain Railway
(
01479-861261;
www.cairngormmountain.org
; adult/child return £9.95/6.50;
10.20am-4pm May-Nov, 9am-4.30pm Dec-Apr)
The region's most popular attraction is a
funicular railway that will whisk you to the edge of the Cairngorm plateau (1085m) in just
eight minutes. The bottom station is at the Coire Cas car park at the end of Ski Rd; at the
top is an exhibition, a shop (of course) and a restaurant. Unfortunately, for environmental
and safety reasons, you're not allowed out of the top station in summer unless you book a
90-minute guided walk to the summit of Cairn Gorm (adult/child £15.95/10.50, twice a day
May to October). Check the website for details.
FUNICULAR RAILWAY
Cairngorm Mountain
(
www.cairngormmountain.org
)
Aspen or Val d'Isère it ain't, but with 19 runs and 23 miles
of piste Cairngorm is Scotland's biggest ski area. A ski pass for one day is £31.50/19 for
adults/under 16s. Ski or snowboard hire is around £22.50/16.50 per adult/child per day;
there are lots of hire outlets at Coire Cas, Glenmore and Aviemore.
When the snow is at its best and the sun is shining you can close your eyes and imagine
you're in the Alps; sadly, low cloud, high winds and horizontal sleet are more common.
The season usually runs from December until the snow melts, which may be as late as the
end of April, but snowfall here is unpredictable - in some years the slopes can be open in
November, but closed for lack of snow in February. During the season the tourist office in
Aviemore displays snow conditions and avalanche warnings. You can check the latest snow
conditions at http://ski.visitscotland.com and www.winterhigh land.info.
WINTER SPORTS
MOUNTAIN WALKS IN THE CAIRNGORMS
The climb from the car park at the Coire Cas ski area to the summit of
Cairn Gorm
(1245m) takes about two hours
(one way). From there, you can continue south across the high-level plateau to Ben Macdui (1309m), Britain's
second-highest peak. This takes eight to 10 hours return from the car park and is a serious undertaking; it's for ex-
perienced and well-equipped walkers only.
