Aviemore vies with Fort William as Scotland’s outdoor’s capital. The attractions are similar: here Cairngorm National Park rises all around and walking and mountain biking trails radiate in every direction. There’s good climbing and rafting too. Cairngorm Mountain with its mountain railway is the centerpiece and great for summer sightseeing, while in winter it provides access to reasonable downhill skiing...

Straddling a lonely mountain pass, Glenshee is a compact but varied ski area that offers more runs than any other in Scotland: 38. It may lack the big-mountain feel of Cairn Gorm, Nevis or Glencoe, but when the snow is good, and it’s not a busy weekend day, skiing here can be a delight. Being able to explore three different...

The Nevis Range resort spreads over the northern side of Aonach Mòr (1221m/4006ft), some 6 miles from Fort William and centres on a gondola that leads to downhill skiing in winter and hiking and mountain biking in summer. Also at the gondola’s summit is a restaurant and visitor centre, while other activities detailed on the resort website (but not here)...

Scotland has five ski resorts and all can be good when conditions cooperate. But that’s the problem: snow is rarely reliable and for Scottish skiers and boarders comparing the latest conditions at the resorts on the invaluable Ski-Scotland website is something of a pastime in itself. The main season runs January to April but it’s sometimes possible to ski as...