Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend Dry Slope)
Europe's longest dry slope above Edinburgh
Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend is a dry ski slope in the Pentland Hills just south of Edinburgh, reputedly the longest artificial ski slope in Europe.
- 239 m Base
- 343 m Top lift
- 104 m Vertical
- 3 Lifts
Best known for
Après & vibe
A cafe and base facilities with sweeping views over Edinburgh from the hillside.
The snow centre
Midlothian Snowsports Centre, universally known as Hillend, is a dry ski slope rather than a real-snow area, set on the flank of the Pentland Hills just south of Edinburgh. Skied on artificial matting rather than snow, it is widely cited as the longest artificial ski slope in Europe, with a main slope and nursery areas served by lifts including a chairlift, plus a dedicated snow-tubing run. It functions year-round as the go-to venue for lessons, race training, freestyle and family sessions for Edinburgh and the Lothians, with commanding views over the city from the top. Because the surface is artificial, snow and weather are irrelevant to its opening. It suits everyone from first-timers to freestylers keeping sharp between mountain trips.
The slope
Excellent, with nursery slopes and lessons for absolute first-timers.
A long main slope gives plenty of room to practise and progress.
Steeper sections and a freestyle focus reward stronger skiers.
Race and freestyle training take place here, though it is an artificial slope, not mountain terrain.
The view over Edinburgh
From the top of the slope the whole city and the Firth of Forth spread out below, a signature of a run at Hillend.
Chairlift and snow tubing
A chairlift serves the long main slope, and a dedicated tubing run adds family fun alongside the skiing.
On the map
Legend
Run difficulty
- Novice
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced / Expert
- Freeride / Extreme
- Unknown
Run types
- Downhill — groomed
- Downhill — ungroomed
- Downhill — gladed
- Nordic (groomed)
- Ski tour
- ☾Lit (night)
- △Not patrolled
- →One-way
- ❄Snowmaking
Lifts
- Operating
- Operating (private)
- Non-operating
- Lift station
Slope-gradient grading
Downhill / ski tour
- Flat<3°
- Easy3–14°
- Intermediate14–22°
- Advanced / Expert22–45°
- Freeride / Extreme>45°
Nordic
- Easy<6°
- Intermediate6–9°
- Advanced>9°
Aspect (sun exposure)
- N — least sun
- E — morning
- S — most sun
- W — afternoon
Legend after OpenSkiMap
Stay near Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend Dry Slope)
No need to stay at the slope; it sits on the edge of Edinburgh, so the whole city is close at hand.
A base in town — the snow centre is a day trip, not a resort stay.
Self-catering flexibility for a family visit or a longer city break.
Handy if the centre is a stopover between flights.
Book access to Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend Dry Slope)
Snow sessions, lessons and slope passes for Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend Dry Slope).
Online access tickets for Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend Dry Slope) will be bookable here shortly. In the meantime, book direct on the venue's own site.
How to get there
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is close by, with the slope just south of the city in the Pentland Hills.
A short drive or bus from central Edinburgh.
Best time: Open year-round, as the artificial surface does not rely on snow or cold weather.
Nearby resorts
Other resorts within reach.
Lowther Hills
- Vertical
- 160 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 5
- Lifts
- 0
Cairngorm (Aviemore)
- Vertical
- 92 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 23
- Lifts
- 18
Faces east © Craig Wallace / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) The Lecht
- Vertical
- 195 m
- Lifts
- 11
Nevis Range
- Vertical
- 556 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 39
- Lifts
- 13
Chill Factore
Getting to Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend Dry Slope)
Book an airport transfer up to the resort, or pick up a car at EDI — search and compare without leaving the page.
Ski data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via OpenSkiMap & Skimap.org. Basemap © OpenFreeMap / OpenMapTiles. Editorial: mynext.holiday. Accommodation via Stay22; transfers via Kiwitaxi; car hire via Travelpayouts.