Cairngorm Mountain Railway - Aviemore Highlands Scotland

There are few destinations in the world more beautiful than Scotland's Cairngorm National Park, during winter. Not only does tourism peak as the snow falls, but the range of activities to enjoy becomes all the more extensive.

Top of the list for most winter visitors are the snow sports on offer – and particularly skiing and snowboarding. The snow sports take place between December and April, depending on snowfall; with winter operating hours usually between 9am and 4pm depending on daylight. There are more than 30km of ski runs as well as a fully maintained snowboard park; with cross country skiing also popular and Disability Snowsports UK offering snow sports tuition for the disabled.

Of course whether you plan to ski down the CairnGorm Mountain or not, you’ll still want to scale its heights to enjoy the incredible views across Aviemore, Strathspey and further afield in Scotland. You could reach the peak via the mountain railway, which allows you to travel in comfort from the Base Station to the Ptarmigan Top Station.

Whilst you're here, there’s plenty to do, including visiting the Mountain Shop and the Shop at the Top, with a range of ski-related accessories as well as unique gifts. You can also visit the Cas bar, which is a licensed bar and a great place to stop for refreshments with its warm atmosphere; or pop into the Ptarmigan Restaurant, the highest restaurant in the UK, which allows you to eat in style glancing out at the spectacular views while tucking into the brilliant food from locally sourced ingredients.

Throughout the winter, and indeed any time of the year, there is an incredible variety of wildlife to enjoy so make sure you pack your binoculars. You can also enjoy the exhibitions from local photographers and artists; or use the camera obscura to further explore the amazing landscapes across Scotland.