Snow Trail

Your first day on Snow Trail.

You leave Edinburgh and point Frosty north. The A90 and A93 carry you through Perthshire and up into the hills. As the landscape opens out and the mountains start to appear, you can feel the shift into proper winter country — the air gets sharper and the first real snow-capped peaks come into view.

You’ll arrive at Glenshee Ski Centre mid-afternoon. This is where you pick up your ski or snowboard equipment for the entire trip. Once you’re kitted out, you’ve got the rest of the day to get some turns in and shake out the travel. The Tiger is already calling.

Glenshee is the biggest ski area in Scotland by piste count, with a huge variety of terrain spread across several basins. The Tiger is a cracking black run that gives you a proper taste of what the resort can offer, while the longer reds and blues on Meall Odhar and Glas Maol are perfect for finding your rhythm.

Camping: Glenshee Caravan Park is the most convenient option, sitting right by the road with easy access to the lifts. If you’re feeling adventurous and the snow isn’t too deep, there are a few wild spots in the surrounding glens that work for hardy off-grid vans like Frosty.

This is the beginning of the adventure. Tomorrow you get a full day here before pointing west toward Nevis Range.

A full day at Glenshee.

This is your chance to really get to know the resort. Glenshee is big — five separate basins connected by a network of lifts and runs. The Tiger remains one of the best black runs in the country for its length and variety, while the wide, rolling terrain on Glas Maol gives you that rare feeling of proper big-mountain skiing in Scotland.

If you want something a bit more challenging, the off-piste around the Cairnwell and Meall Odhar can be excellent after fresh snow. Just remember that Scottish mountain weather can turn on a sixpence.

The mountain restaurant at the top of the Cairnwell chair is the classic spot for a hot lunch and a chance to warm up while watching everyone else come down the hill.

Camping: Another night at Glenshee Caravan Park or a wild spot nearby. By now you’ll be getting into the rhythm of mountain life — early starts, long days, and the deep satisfaction of a proper feed and a warm van at the end of it.

Tomorrow you head west across the Highlands toward Nevis Range.

Today is all about the drive.

You leave Glenshee and head west across the Highlands. The route takes you through some of Scotland’s most dramatic winter scenery, culminating in the legendary drive through Glen Coe. In snow, this stretch can feel properly epic — dark peaks rising on either side, the road twisting between them.

You should arrive at Nevis Range (Aonach Mòr) by mid to late afternoon. There’s usually time for a couple of runs before the lifts close, just to get a feel for the place.

Nevis Range is the most serious of the three resorts on this trip. With the highest vertical drop in Britain and some genuinely steep and challenging terrain, it’s where Scottish skiing starts to feel properly big-mountain.

Camping: Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park is the most convenient base, sitting right at the bottom of the mountain. If you’re feeling bold and the snow isn’t too deep, there are wild spots further up the glen that work well for a capable van like Frosty.

This is where the trip starts to feel properly adventurous.

A full day at Nevis Range.

This is where Scottish skiing gets serious. Nevis Range sits on Aonach Mòr and offers the highest vertical drop in the UK. The Back Corrie is the star attraction — a steep, north-facing bowl that can hold fantastic snow and delivers that rare feeling of proper big-mountain terrain. When the conditions line up, laps here feel genuinely world-class.

If the conditions are right, the off-piste and sidecountry here can be world-class. Even on busy days the upper mountain can feel surprisingly empty.

The Snowgoose Restaurant at the top of the gondola is the place to warm up and refuel. Sitting at over 650 metres with views across to Ben Nevis, it’s one of the most spectacular mountain restaurants in Britain.

Camping: Back to Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park, or wild higher up the glen if you’re feeling adventurous.

This is a day that can deliver proper Scottish mountain adventure.

Your second full day at Nevis Range.

With another day here you can really start to explore. Many people head into the Back Corrie again for more laps, or venture further into the sidecountry and off-piste terrain that makes this resort special.

If the weather is good, the views from the top across to Ben Nevis and the Mamores are spectacular. If the weather turns, you’ll get a proper taste of Scottish mountain conditions — and learn why local knowledge and good mountain awareness matter so much up here.

The Snowgoose remains the best spot for lunch with a view.

Camping: Another night at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park or wild higher up.

This is where the trip starts to feel properly adventurous. Tomorrow you head east toward the Cairngorms.

Today is a short travel day.

You leave the west coast behind and point the van east across the Highlands toward the Cairngorms. The drive is consistently beautiful, especially if the weather is clear and the mountains are showing off.

You should arrive in the Aviemore area by early afternoon. There’s usually time for a couple of runs on Cairngorm before the lifts close, just to get a feel for the place.

Cairngorm Mountain has a very different character to Nevis Range. It sits on a high, open granite plateau and can feel properly arctic when the weather comes in. The views from the top across the Cairngorm plateau are some of the best in Scotland.

Camping: Glenmore Caravan & Camping Site is the most convenient base, sitting right at the foot of the mountain with good facilities. Wild camping is possible in the national park if you’re up for it, though winter adds an extra layer of adventure.

This is the final resort of the trip. Make the most of the next two days.

A full day at Cairngorm.

This is where the Scottish mountains start to feel properly high and wild. The plateau above the resort can feel like another world when the visibility is good — vast, open, and often windswept.

The White Lady run is a classic here, offering a long, sustained descent with great views. If you’re feeling more adventurous, the off-piste around Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais and the ridges can be excellent when conditions allow.

The Ptarmigan Restaurant at the top of the funicular is the highest restaurant in the UK (1,097m). Sitting inside with a hot drink while the weather rages outside is a very special experience.

Camping: Back to Glenmore Caravan & Camping Site or a wild spot in the national park.

This is a different flavour of Scottish skiing — more high-alpine in feel than anything else in the country.

Your final full day on the snow.

With another day at Cairngorm you can really explore. Many people head back up to the plateau for more laps or push into different areas of the mountain. The views from the top on a clear day are genuinely world-class.

If the weather is good, this can be one of the most memorable days of the whole trip. If the weather turns, you’ll get a proper lesson in Scottish mountain conditions — and why having a capable van like Frosty waiting for you at the bottom makes all the difference.

The Ptarmigan remains the place to warm up and refuel at altitude.

Camping: Another night at Glenmore or wild in the national park.

Tomorrow you head south, with one final stop to return your gear.

The final day of Snow Trail.

You wake up in the Cairngorms for the last time. After breakfast you pack up and point Frosty south.

The drive back across the Highlands is beautiful, and there’s a satisfying stop at Glenshee to drop off your skis or board. The loop is complete — one rental, three resorts, nine days of proper winter adventure.

From there it’s a straightforward run back to Edinburgh. You should be home by mid to late afternoon with the van still smelling faintly of snow and boot warmers.

Camping: None — you’ll be back in Edinburgh by the end of the day.

Nine days. Three resorts. One van. One hell of a winter loop.

Welcome home. And well done.