Backcountry Signage

Working with Mountaineering Scot, The Association of Scottish Ski Areas, Cairngorm National Park, Fatmap and Glenshee Snowsport Scotland has put together a series of access routes for walkers, ski-tourers & splitboarders that provide a means to travel through the ski-area safely.

The routes are designed for both the novice and expert alike, and offer an accessible and efficient ascent toward the most popular surrounding backcountry areas whilst avoiding traffic conflicts with downhill skiers and resort operations.  A particular issue is winter walkers accessing via the ski-lift tow tracks, the resultant “postholing” causing irreparable damage to the tracks and the impacting the lifts ability to run.

By providing these marked and managed routes, the ski-area plan to provide safe access for all tourers and walkers coupled with the support of Ski-Patrol emergency cover.   

The two routes are linked below, but before you click these links, please see the bottom of this post for our FREE FATMAP subscription offer for registered Snowsport Scotland coaches, leaders and instructors.

Cairnwell Route - https://fatmap.com/routeid/3610565/glenshee-cairnwell-ski-touring-walking-route?fmid=cp

Glas Maol route - https://fatmap.com/routeid/3561734/glenshee-glas-maol-ascent-route?fmid=cp

NOTE When journeying through resorts please adhere to the Snowsport code - https://www.mountaineering.scot/assets/contentfiles/media-upload/Ski_touring_and_ski_resort_areas_code_web.pdf

For backcountry commencing their activity at the ski-centres please be considerate when taking advantage of facilities.  Glenshee have put together a superb page of information highlighting what’s on offer at Glenshee and their steps to accommodate backcountry skier and snowboarders - https://www.ski-glenshee.co.uk/Ski-Touring

As part of Snowsport Scotland’s collaboration with Fatmap, we have secured an offer whereby our professional workforce of coaches leaders and instructors can gain free use of the FATMAP App. To take advantage of this offer, simply head to FATMAP Pro-Access and complete the form detailing your qualification held with Snowsport Scotland.

For info on how to get started with Fatmap check out this video https://youtu.be/VpKRMwt4-70?si=jYhRslgXRtSU37Ae