Ski Resort Guide
Nevis Range
Nevis Range Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Nevis Range is the UK's newest ski area and has also carved out a reputation as a world class mountain-biking destination.
There is a fantastic gondola at the heart of the whole operation, transporting thousands of visitors up its peaks year round. The ski area covers a wide swathe of mountain, right next to Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1,344m/4,409ft), and offers superb views out over the Atlantic coast. The major tourist town of Fort William is only a few miles away and is perfect for après ski and accommodation options.
Despite being one of the world's newest lift-serviced ski areas, the history of skiing at Nevis Range goes back at least to the 1930s when adventurous locals hiked up to the area now known as the 'Snowgoose', so named because, by the time of the spring snow melts, the patch of snow left on the mountainside resembles the shape of a flying goose.
There is a fantastic gondola at the heart of the whole operation, transporting thousands of visitors up its peaks year round. The ski area covers a wide swathe of mountain, right next to Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1,344m/4,409ft), and offers superb views out over the Atlantic coast. The major tourist town of Fort William is only a few miles away and is perfect for après ski and accommodation options.
Despite being one of the world's newest lift-serviced ski areas, the history of skiing at Nevis Range goes back at least to the 1930s when adventurous locals hiked up to the area now known as the 'Snowgoose', so named because, by the time of the spring snow melts, the patch of snow left on the mountainside resembles the shape of a flying goose.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 640m (2,100ft).
Top elevation: 1,221m (4,006ft).
Base elevation: 640m (2,100ft).
Number of lifts: 12.
Number of runs: 35.
Where in the world?
Nevis Range is located in the Lochaber region of the Western Scottish Highlands, closed to the town of Fort William and Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis in the Grampian mountain range.
Hit the slopes
Nevis Range has the same snow condition ‘issues' that affect the four other Scottish ski hills - unpredictability. Snow can fall between October and June, allowing skiing in mid Autumn or late spring. But equally, little or no skiing at all in mid-winter is also a possibility, so you must be prepared to travel at short notice when the snow reports are good.
The ski area is accessed by the fast, modern Doppelmayr gondola with its six-seater cabins. The beginner slopes are conveniently located right next to the top of the gondola and the mountain restaurant and have their own drag lift. There are lots of longer runs to progress to, including the Summit Run, a very gentle blue with superb views as you ski down.
Intermediates will find much of the terrain open to them with wide, fast cruisers making up the majority of the three dozen trails.
The most advanced skiers and boarders will want to head to the Snowgoose Bowl and Warrens while a trip 'over the back' into Corrie Dubh is a must.
Nevis Range has a reputation for excellence with its ski schools and freestylers will find a terrain park on which to practice their tricks.
The ski area is accessed by the fast, modern Doppelmayr gondola with its six-seater cabins. The beginner slopes are conveniently located right next to the top of the gondola and the mountain restaurant and have their own drag lift. There are lots of longer runs to progress to, including the Summit Run, a very gentle blue with superb views as you ski down.
Intermediates will find much of the terrain open to them with wide, fast cruisers making up the majority of the three dozen trails.
The most advanced skiers and boarders will want to head to the Snowgoose Bowl and Warrens while a trip 'over the back' into Corrie Dubh is a must.
Nevis Range has a reputation for excellence with its ski schools and freestylers will find a terrain park on which to practice their tricks.
Beyond the slopes
There's little to do besides skiing and sightseeing at Nevis Range itself in winter, however, there are a myriad of activities in the wider Fort William/West Coast area. The region's spectacular natural beauty is its key asset, and this is as magnificent on a frosty winter's day as during the busy tourist months of summer. So a drive to Glen Nevis - a favoured filming spot for the Harry Potter movies, a drive through Glencoe to the south or a walk on one of the many stunning sandy beaches in the area are all great options. There are also indoor activities available in Fort William itself, including a leisure centre with pool and fitness centre with gym, table tennis, three squash courts, spacious spa bath, sauna suite, steam baths, solarium and showers.
Family fun
Nevis Range is one of the easiest Scottish ski areas to access, just off the Fort William - Inverness trunk road a modern access road leads to the gondola base station, so there's minimum stress reaching the slopes. At the top of the gondola the nursery slopes and a sledging area as well as the family-friendly Snowgoose restaurant are all a few steps away. Fort William is also a good resort town base. The Lochaber Leisure Centre at the north end of the town has a pool with water slide and there's a cinema as well as plenty of affordable dining options.
Retail therapy
Fort William is the leading retail and tourist centre, so it combines all the usual high street stores you'd expect to find in any small British town, with a good range of tourist shops and several specialist ski and mountain outlets including the excellent Nevisport, High Street. The Ben Nevis Woollen Mill, Belford Road, sells a wide range of knitwear, tartans, gifts and souvenirs.
Après ski
Nevis Range shuts down more or less as soon as the ski day ends so most of the après ski can be found in Fort William, 8km (5 miles) away, where there are about 40 bars and restaurants to choose from. The Nevis Bank Hotel, Belford Road, is a popular meeting place for skiers, as is the Nevisport Bar, Airds Crossing, High Street, which has an open fire, real ales and live music. The Ben Nevis Bar, 103 High Street, often has live music.
Eating out
The Snowgoose Restaurant at the top of the gondola station provides a range of affordable basic meals on the mountain. In the wider area there's a good choice of more than 50 places to eat, with a wide range of options from Chinese, Indian or traditional fish and chips as well as several fine dining options. The Grog and Gruel, 66 High Street, serves wholesome bar meals whilst the colourful Crannog Restaurant, Town Pier, has a long-standing reputation for excellent seafood, often caught from the loch on the banks of which it is located.
Getting around
Nevis Range is reached by car (extensive free car park at base) or by a regular bus service that operates to and from Fort William. The nearest ski centre is Glencoe, about 56km (35 miles) by road to the south.
Splashing out
Highland Activities (www.highlandactivities.co.uk) offers a wide range of organised outdoor activities, with one option, the ‘Awesome Foursome', giving you the opportunity to try four in one day from quad biking, white water rafting, funyakking (a kind of canoe like boat), scenic river safari, clay pigeon shooting, archery, paintballing or mountain biking.
Accommodation
Luxury
Inverlochy Castle HotelHistoric hotel just across the road from Nevis Range ski area, former guests include Queen Victoria who stayed for a week in 1873 in what is now the Honeymoon Suite, complete with four poster bed.
Nevis Range
Tel: (01397) 702 177.
Website: www.inverlochycastlehotel.com
Moderate
The Milton HotelLocated only 7km (4 miles) from Nevis Range on the road into Fort William, the Milton has its own leisure club with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa and gym.
North Road
Tel: (01397) 708 454.
Website: www.miltonhotels.com
Budget
Fort William BackpackersAffordable, friendly and well-equipped hostel in a central location in Fort William.
Alma Road
Tel: (01397) 700 711.
Website: www.fortwilliambackpackers.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Inverness (INV); Glasgow (GLA).
Distance to resort: 100km (63 miles); 179km (112 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour, 15 minutes; 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Distance to resort: 100km (63 miles); 179km (112 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour, 15 minutes; 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Snowboarders, Intermediates, Experts, Beginners
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox.
Advertisement
Travel Deals
Advertising features
-
Finland Family holidays There is something about the snow in Finland that makes you wonder if the locals sneak out at night and spray it with a coat of brilliant white paint – it
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
