Can you ski in Eryri (Snowdonia)? The honest answer is: not in the way most people mean. There are no ski resorts, no lifts and no groomed pistes in the National Park, and snow cover on the mountains comes and goes through the winter. But snow does fall on the high ground most years, there is a busy artificial ski slope just up the coast in Llandudno, and winter in the mountains has a lot to offer if you treat it with respect.
Here is what you can realistically do on snow in and around Eryri, and how to stay safe doing it.
Snow on Yr Wyddfa and the high peaks
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), at 1,085 metres, is the highest mountain in Wales, and the Carneddau and Glyderau are not far behind. In a typical winter these summits see spells of snow and ice, sometimes lasting weeks, sometimes gone in a day or two. Conditions can change fast: a mild, wet spell can strip the snow, then a cold snap turns everything to hard ice.
Some very experienced ski mountaineers do ski on Yr Wyddfa and the Carneddau when conditions line up. It involves carrying skis uphill, no prepared runs, rocks close beneath the snow, cornices and steep icy ground above crags. It is not something to try on a whim or on holiday hire skis, and it requires full winter mountaineering skills, including use of an ice axe and crampons and an understanding of avalanche risk.
Winter walking: the realistic option
For most visitors, the best way to enjoy snow in Eryri is on foot. A crisp, clear winter day on the hills is one of the finest experiences in Wales, but winter changes the mountains completely.
- Check the forecast: use the Met Office mountain forecast for Snowdonia and the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) before you go, and look at the summit conditions, not the valley weather.
- Carry the right kit: above the snowline you need an ice axe and crampons, and the skills to use them. Microspikes are not a substitute on steep ground.
- Allow for short days: in midwinter it is dark before 5pm. Carry a head torch and spare batteries (see our piece on head-torch safety after dark).
- Know the danger spots: Llanberis Mountain Rescue has repeatedly warned walkers not to follow the railway line down in snow, as it runs close to the cliffs of Clogwyn Coch, a known accident blackspot when the slopes are banked with ice.
- Turn back early: going up is often easier than coming down. If you are unsure, turn round. Our list of common mistakes on Yr Wyddfa is worth reading first.
If you are new to winter conditions, consider a winter skills course with a qualified mountain instructor before heading up alone. Our winter walking guide has more. For route detail, see our guides to the Pyg Track and the Rhyd Ddu Path, and our main Yr Wyddfa guide. Note that the Snowdon Mountain Railway does not run to the summit through the winter, so there is no train down if you get into difficulty.
In an emergency, call 999, ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Sledging and snow days
When snow reaches lower down, local families head for gentle open slopes in the valleys. Choose ground well away from roads, walls, fences, trees and water, with a long, flat run-out at the bottom. Respect farmland: fields often have livestock in them, and gates should be left as you find them. Never sledge on frozen lakes, and never on the high mountain slopes, where a slide can end over a drop.
Roads are the other winter hazard. Passes such as the Llanberis Pass and the A5 through Nant Ffrancon can be icy when the valleys are clear. Check conditions before you drive and leave plenty of time.
Where to learn: Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre
If you actually want to ski or snowboard, the place to go locally is the Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre, part of the John Nike Leisuresport Complex on the slopes of the Great Orme. It is an outdoor artificial slope that runs year round, with views across Llandudno and the Irish Sea.
- Lessons: skiing from age four and snowboarding from age ten, with open practice sessions for those who already ski.
- Toboggan run: a long ride down the hillside, popular with families.
- Tubing: inflatable rings that can be linked together for a group slide.
- Food: there is a restaurant and bar on site.
Check the centre’s opening times and book ahead, especially in school holidays. The North Wales Snowsports Club is based at the Llandudno slope and runs coaching for improving skiers and snowboarders, race training and social trips, which is a good way to keep progressing between holidays.
From dry slope to the Alps
A season of lessons on the Llandudno slope is a sensible way to prepare for a first trip to a proper resort. Many North Wales skiers head to the French Alps once they have the basics. If you are planning that step, Val d’Isère is one of the best-known resorts, with a large ski area linked to Tignes, and staying in a luxury catered chalet in Val d’Isère takes care of meals and leaves more time on the snow.
Then come home to Eryri for the winter walking. Croeso i Eryri (welcome to Eryri), in every season.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ski resort in Snowdonia?
No. There are no ski lifts or resorts in Eryri. The nearest place to ski or snowboard is the artificial slope at Llandudno on the Great Orme.
Does Yr Wyddfa get snow every year?
The summit sees snow and ice most winters, but cover is unreliable and can disappear quickly. Check current conditions and the mountain forecast before you plan anything.
Do I need crampons to walk up Yr Wyddfa in winter?
When there is snow or ice on the upper mountain, yes: an ice axe and crampons, and the skills to use them. If you do not have both, choose a low-level walk instead.
Can children learn to ski near Eryri?
Yes. The Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre offers ski lessons from age four and snowboarding from age ten.
