I’d suggest mooching around this site for more info: http://www.winterhighland.info/
If you base yourself in Braemar/Ballater you have the choice of The Lecht or Glenshee ski areas. (Lecht beginner friendly, Glenshee is tremendous when Glas Maol is open).
Plenty of walking around there, too.
Braemar V quiet but access to some very beautiful places.
What bigjim says about the weather – we had 3 days at Glencoe a couple of weeks ago but the hill was stormbound.
Last week we had 3 days at Glenshee and i was surprised it wasn’t blown slightly nearer Inverness. (The ski area was evacuated on 2 days as the police wanted to close the road due to snow drifts).
Glencoe and Nevis suffer if the wind is coming from a particular direction (I forget which) but Winterhighland gives good info.
Cairngorm (Aviemore) seem to cop high winds and thick, peasoup cloud (to me,thicker than Glenshee, Lecht and Nevis). Too much snow can shut access train and I dont think they do reduce ticket prices when uplift is limited.
I don’t rate the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel.
We usually sleep in the car or at hostels – you’ll find these are prob booked up tho – well the car won’t be, i suppose 😀
In my opinion the best skiing is at Glenshee but I’ve not skied much at Glencoe and not brave enough to try the Back Corries at Aonach Mor (Nevis).
Tickets and hire can be a dreadful experiance at Cairngorm but you can hire in Aviemore and i think you can buy tickets in the town – but they have just introduced a new ticket system so best to check.
Glenshee & Nevis seem ok for Hire and ticket purchase, Lecht fine too but never hired stuff there.
As it’s ‘oliday time I would avoid Cairngorm and expect some queage where ever you go.
I love skiing in Scotland, when its good it’s ace,when it bad it’s astonishingly bad. 😀