Where to Ski And Snowboard - Nevis Range turns 20

Nevis Range turns 20

22nd December 2009, by Chris Gill

Nevis Range, Scotland - with fresh December snow

Scotland’s Nevis Range ski area opened for the season on 19 December, exactly 20 years to the day since first opening for skiing and boarding.

On 19 December 1989 the resort welcomed its first skiers, to a region that has kept going for winter sports despite some tough times during its unpredictable climate.

Twenty years on and the recent snowy spell in the UK left the resort with a fresh layer of new snow and the upper runs starting to fill in nicely. They could do with more of course, but the ski area was offering good abilities the chance to play on the Rabbit Run and Yockies. As well as the gondola, there are a couple of tows open.

Scottish ski areas have all received new snow this week, with the Lecht and Cairngorm open for business. And there is more snow forecast up to Saturday – white Christmas, anyone?

New lift pass

New this winter is the five-area lift pass. There has been an area pass available in the past, but this new version launched by Ski-Scotland allows visitors to ride at any of the five ski centres within five consecutive days: it makes a good way to seek out the best snow if one area is looking a little thin on cover!

The lift pass costs £115 and can start on any day you wish and with any combination of ski area – so you could choose just to use it at the one centre too. It could be very useful to riders able to head for the slopes at short notice.