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Festive Snowsports & Activity Plans at Cairngorm Mountain
December 16th, 2025.
Beginners Area open from Friday 19 December!
We’re delighted to confirm that snowsports will return to Cairngorm Mountain for the festive period, with the Base Station Beginners Area opening from Friday 19 December.
Serviced by our Snowbadger Magic Carpets, the Beginners Area is the ideal place for skiers and snowboarders to start their journey on snow. Initially, the lower conveyor will be operating, meaning capacity will be limited. Our team will continue with snowmaking to keep the slope in good condition. Please note that complete beginners must either book a lesson with one of our affiliated snowsports schools or be accompanied by a competent skier or snowboarder.
Session-Based Snowsports Passes
To make best use of the space available, public snowsports will operate on a session-based format, with half-day passes available.
Season Pass holders are welcome to enjoy the snow any time throughout the festive period. We’ll be open every day except Christmas Day.
| Beginners Area Pass | Morning (9:30am - 12:30pm) | Afternoon (12:30pm - 3:30pm) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18-64 yrs) | £25.00 | £25.00 |
| Junior (6-17 yrs) | £15.00 | £15.00 |
| Student (18+ yrs)* | £20.00 | £20.00 |
| Senior (65 + yrs) | £18.00 | £18.00 |
| Child (0-5 yrs)* | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Family (1 Adult + 2 Juniors) | £49.00 | £49.00 |
| Family (2 Adults + 1 Junior) | £59.00 | £59.00 |
| Family (2 Adults + 2 Juniors) | £72.00 | £72.00 |
| Family (Extra Child)* | £12.00 | £12.00 |
Equipment rental is available on the day, and our hire facility opens from 9:00am, allowing plenty of time to get kitted out before hitting the slope. You can find pricing and more information about equipment rental here.
Floodlit Snowsports Sessions
Thanks to the generous support of Campbell Plant Hire, we’re excited to offer a floodlit snowsports session from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. These sessions will be weather dependent, so availability can’t be guaranteed daily.
Food, Fun & Festive Extras
Warm up before or after your session at the Cairngorm Café, serving soups, sandwiches, pizzas, chips, and festive toasties. The Cas Bar will also be open for hot drinks and cakes in a cosy setting.
Beyond snowsports, there’s plenty of festive fun to be had on our Tubing Slides which will be open (weather permitting) from Saturday 20 to Tuesday 30 December, excluding Christmas day.
Advance booking is recommended but please note, due to the time of year, weather conditions can be unpredictable, and there is a chance your session may be cancelled at short notice.
Experience The Mountain Railway
No visit to Cairngorm Mountain is complete without a trip on the Mountain Railway. The Funicular will run daily from 10:00am (excluding Christmas Day), with:
- Last train up: 3:30pm
- Last train down: 4:30pm
Enjoy stunning winter views, a hot chocolate at the Ptarmigan, and festive shopping at the Shop @ the Top. As snowsports are not operating on the upper mountain, the Cairngorm Conservation Plan remains in place, with no access beyond the Top Station terraces.
We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors over the festive period and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas when it comes 🎅✨
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