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Cairngorm resort snow
Lat Long: 57.13° N 3.67° W
Ski United Kingdom

Cairngorm Resort Reviews

Weather Forecast for Cairngorm at 823 m altitude

Issued: 6 pm 06 May 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Next snow in Cairngorm: 1.2 cm on Sun 10th  (after 4 PM)

Visitor reviews for Cairngorm Ski Resort

Cairngorm Ratings

Overall: 3.2. Based on 43 votes and 87 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 2.7

  • Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
  • Is often closed due to a lack of snow
  • Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
  • Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
  • Cairngorm is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 3.3

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Cairngorm has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 3.0

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.0

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 3.7

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Cairngorm

Public Transport: 3.8

  • There are no buses or taxis to Cairngorm
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 3.7

  • No places to stay in/near Cairngorm
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 3.6

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 3.7

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Cairngorm

Ski in/Ski out: 1.9

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 2.4

  • There are no child care facilities at Cairngorm
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 2.7

  • Cairngorm relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 3.6

  • There are no snow groomers at Cairngorm
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Cairngorm are groomed daily

Shelter: 1.8

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Cairngorm is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 2.3

  • If snow conditions are poor at Cairngorm, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 3.8

  • Cairngorm usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 3.8

  • The staff at Cairngorm are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Cairngorm are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 2.6

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 3.5

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 4.0

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 3.5

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 3.7

  • No intermediate terrain at Cairngorm
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 2.9

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 3.1

  • Not even a kicker at Cairngorm
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 2.9

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Cairngorm
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 1.7

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Cairngorm has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 3.1

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 3.2

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 3.1

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 3.2

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.5

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 3.9

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 2.8

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 3.1

  • Overall, Cairngorm is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 3.0

  • Overall, Cairngorm is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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February 11, 2010
Will from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Having said in my previous post (after much annoyance) that I would save my money and head across the channel, I couldn't resist the draw of a UK resort and returned 2 weeks later (29 Jan to 1st Feb) and had 4 great days of skiing/snowboarding at Cairngorm. The train was running on 3 of the days and it was really good - having seen the scale of the snow that had fallen onto the road I did have a little more sympathy. As the previous post says, with some more investment Cairngorm could be really good, and a real draw to the north of England/Scottish skiers where a drive across the channel is a little less convenient.
February 09, 2010
Simon from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
The people who have complained about the poor snow clearing and infrastructure at Cairngorm are completely correct. However, you have to remember that it is only the past two years that they have seen decent snow. Before that there were years and years of poor cover and the company running the mountain was struggling. Snow ploughs, and the operational systems to clear the road, need investment. Something that would not have been possible with the visitor numbers of the past decade. Hopefully, there should now be some money in the pot and things will improve. One thing that did annoy me when I was there at the end of January was the very poor bus link to Aviemore. One bus at 4.45 each afternoon is not acceptable. There is surely demand for a shuttle bus back and forth between 8am and 10am / 3pm and 5pm? A couple of quad chairs wouldn't go amiss either. Other than that Cairngorn is a fantastic place to ski. Let's hope the cold winters continue.
February 08, 2010
Iain Cassidy
I can understand the ire of those who queued patiently to get up the mountain at Cairngorm, when the bad weather struck in December/January. I was trying to get up there to work and the lack of clear information was frustrating. I wrote to the CEO of CML with some constructive suggestions and received a very polite and encouraging reply. I agree that pressure should be applied to HIE and CML, but it should be in the form of constructive criticism. I have skied all over Europe and Aviemore and on a good day Cairngorm ranks with the best. I would ask the doubters and critics to give it another try. It will get better.
February 06, 2010
Robert Stewart. from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
The Cairngorm resort is an amazing resort when they have the snow and the railway is open. However, I was up there today with a few friends. However, the resort is incapable of coping with large crowds when the railway is offline. This is obviously understandable due to the weather being out of anyones control. However, what is within the resorts control is the ability to tell people the railway is offline and not "on hold". A couple of my friends are beginners and not confident of using other uplift equipment. Due to massive queues it is pointless of them to stand in a queue for 45 minutes and then attempt to try uplift equipment. I love this place, but guys please be more efficient on notifying people if the railway is online.
January 27, 2010
C from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
You need to update your road status throughout the night when you have heavy snow!! I'm travelling for 5 hours before you tell me the road is not open!! Updating the status at 8am is no good!! Employing a driver to plough all night would do the trick, but would probably cost around £200 (roughly the money you lose from turning one full car away!!!!) "the road will be clear by 7.30am, enjoy your day!" NOT "we will have a look at the road at 8am, not promising anything though...." "the roads can be very bad, all cars with no snow chains in/on the vehicle will be turned away" NOT the roads can be bad, snow chains are advised...."
January 27, 2010
Robin Blair from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I find it remarkable that certain individuals do not pick up on what others are actually saying about Cairngorm, perhaps they are staff. They are not at all blaming the weather or indeed the commitment. It is more the lack of equipment being used at NIGHT when there is no wind. It is the fact they still charge £30 even if there is only a handful of runs open. The fact you don't get updates sometimes until you arrive there. There is some thing very, very wrong with the management just now and/or the local council that makes the decisions. I too have noticed this and I live in Aviemore and use the facilities. Come on guys listen to the public and learn from it. Strive for more positive reviews next year. This must be affecting local business.
January 26, 2010
rob from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
To all the moaners and to add a wee bit of perspective: in 2006, at Val D'Isere we spent the first night in the sports hall in Bourg St M with 1000 people because the roads were shut. When we got to the resort we spent only 16 hours on the slopes in 6 days as the weather was so bad; sh*t happens when the weather closes in. Remember Cairngorm is classified as 'Artic' and the winds do blow like stink. I have had 16 days on my season ticket so far and drive 90 miles each way so not local and can only give credit to the guys up there. Do you really think they don't want us to ski.....
January 25, 2010
David Smith from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
The Cairngorm Winter season 2009 - 2010 has been nothing short of amazing. The week beginning 17th January has seen many negative complaints on this website and I feel this is unjustified. People complaining because there is storm weather and an unprecedented amount of snow. This was only bound to happen. I feel that these people should maybe be aware of the risks that they are taking when choosing to go to this resort. The Cairngorm Mountain Team have done a fantastic job this season to keep this place open. I was up at the Ptarmigan yesterday and it was if it had been carved out of the snow. All the runs were in perfect order and it was some of the best boarding conditions I have experienced in Scotland for a few seasons. I think people need to remember that mountain teams will do their utmost to keep a resort open, however, they cannot control the weather. Scotland has had it very good this year so why complain.
January 24, 2010
Karen Brown from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I agree. We too were on holiday and what a very poor effort trying to keep roads/runs clear at Cairngorm. A bit of information did you know they can clear the A9 when there is drifting snow. This road is only 8 miles from you and they too suffer from blizzards at night. But I am sure you knew that already. Maybe you need a lesson from these people who can clear A9 over night. Surely, the businesses in Aviemore and surrounding areas will ultimatley suffer long term. My advise would also be to go abroad. Or try learning from it and do something about it. Everyone understands bad weather conditions but, come on everyone, there is only so long you can use that excuse. There are days more can be done.
January 22, 2010
Kevin Bryant from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Take my advise, don't go to Aviemore (Cairngorm Ski resort) if you are travelling and want to stay there for the snow sports. They are not geared up to clear the snow quick enough on the roads and the runs. Pay that extra £200 and go else where abroad. I have just spent a fortune for a week at the Hilton Coylumbridge for a snow boarding week and didn't even touch the snow. Very poorly organised. I am sure it is very good for the locals when it is clear etc but if travelling there you will be very, very disappointed if there is a bit of wind as it blocks all the roads and runs and they take days and days to clear. Sure they are using buckets and spades.