In recent times Aviemore has been upgraded to offer better accommodation with new hotels built in a more pleasing style than there predecessors. The access to the mountain has been enhanced with the introduction of a funicular giving faster access & protection from the weather. If you do not wish to stay in Aviemore itself there is a great deal of alternative accommodation in surrounding villages such as Newtonmore & Kingussie. The ski area which lies between 555m & 1145m does not have snow making facilities but instead relies on fences to catch & hold the snow.

Aviemore is situated in the Spey Valley, approximately 80km [50 miles) south of Inverness, and is the focal point of Scotland's largest ski area. Its ski slopes are on Cairngorm, 11km (7 miles) away.

Aviemore is both a purpose-built centre and an established highland village. The centre is a collection of hotels, a swimming pool, bars, discos, shops, skating rink, squash courts, dry ski slope and cinema.

A fact of life in Scottish skiing is that there always needs to be something to do when not skiing. The weather is its greatest enemy, but when it's good it's excellent. The best time to go is later in the season when the days are longer and the snow cover more reliable.

To reach the skiing there is a regular bus service from Aviemore train station, or you can drive to one of the two car parks at the bottom of the slopes. At weekends and in the high season the Coire Cas car park, servicing the Day Lodge, ticket office, rental shop, restaurant and bar, fills up very quickly, often by breakfast time. And once the lower Coire na Ciste car park fills up, slightly later in the morning, the police normally close the road to all further cars. So for a later start it is easier to take the bus which will drop you right at the Day Lodge. There is also a bus which shuttles between the two car parks.