Scottish and Icelandic ski resorts announce joint season pass cooperation!

Scottish ski season pass holders will gain free access to 9 ski resort in Iceland this winter!

In a groundbreaking new deal announced last week, anyone who holds a season pass to any of Scotland’s five ski areas — Cairngorm, Glencoe, Glenshee, Nevis Range and The Lecht — or an all-area season pass from Ski-Scotland now has free access to any ski resort in Iceland, and vice versa. To take advantage of the deal, you simply have to show your season pass at the lifts.

The deal is considered groundbreaking as it is the first such cooperation covering all the snowsports areas in two countries. Heather Negus, chairwoman of Ski-Scotland said:

“While there is cross-border co-operation between individual ski areas elsewhere, what makes this unique is that it includes absolutely every lift at every resort in both Scotland and Iceland. With daily flights linking Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh with Reykjavik, we believe many of our customers will see this as a wonderful opportunity to ski or snowboard on new terrain and enjoy the culture of a new country. And of course, we also look forward to welcoming Icelandic skiers and boarders to Scotland’s mountain resorts.”

Skiing the Nevis Range / Scotland / Part 2

In the second part of this episode the Ski Club TV team enjoy more Scottish powder in the Back Corries and meet some local ski pioneers. Part 2 of 2. Watch part 1 here: https://youtu.be/V07r7q9THZE

Following a succession of strong winters in Scotland it is hoped that the news will increase sales of season passes. An adult season pass at Glencoe currently costs £330, while the All Scotland season pass costs £535 (or £480 if you bought one last year) for adults; with regular and affordable flights to Iceland from all the main Scottish airports there should be ample opportunity to take advantage of the free skiing in Iceland if you do invest in a season pass.

The deal was struck by delegates at the recent North Atlantic Ski Areas Association conference held at Glenshee and The Lecht, and follows a memorandum of understanding signed by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to foster closer ties and cooperation between VisitScotland and the Icelandic Tourist Board in an effort to boost tourism in both countries.

Scotch on ice(land)? | ©Visit North Iceland

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said:

“Both Scotland and Iceland are small countries that punch well above their weight on the global tourism stage. VisitScotland and the Icelandic Tourist Board have built a strong and mutually beneficial relationship over the past three years, culminating in the recently announced formal agreement between the two organisations. This historic collaboration will see the sharing of information and best practice on areas such as quality development, information provision and sustainability.

“The agreement at the North Atlantic Ski Areas’ Association conference is another great example of innovative partnership work between the two nations and we look forward to welcoming many Icelandic snowsports enthusiasts to Scotland’s stunning mountain resorts in the coming months and years.”