Sea and summits in the same weekend

On a recent trip to New Zealand, I combined two activities in the same weekend, which rarely see the same year when I am at home. Saturday was spent surfing in the balmy ocean and Sunday snowboarding on an active volcano. Which got me thinking, where else in the world can you surf and ski in the same weekend?

Initially, I thought I would have to emigrate to this far off land to satisfy this new standard of weekend. Then, remembering a family skiing holiday to the heathery hills, I mean snowy mountains, of the Cairngorms, and my GCSE geography lessons, I realised there were possibilities in the UK.

I set about finding a surf spot within striking distance of The Lecht in the Cairngorms, the closest snowfield to the coast. I searched magicseaweed.com (other surf forecasting websites are available) and found, much to the surprise of my basic oceanographic knowledge, that the east coast of Scotland receives some decent swell.

If you were to surf at Aberdeen beach, you could drive to Ballater in just over an hour, and stay in one of the ski lodges for an early start on Sunday. With time in mind, this seemed like a cunning combination. However, on closer inspection it appeared less appealing, as the best snow and surf is during mid-winter. For those not wanting to risk hypothermia, or a hernia, there are other mountain and coast combinations.

A wildlife-watching weekend is a wonderful way of experiencing the best of both. Snowdonia boasts mountains and coasts in the same National Park, and is a great place for spotting sea birds, especially at the Ynys-hir estuary near Machynlleth. From here, a short drive north takes you into the heart of the mountains, an important habitat for the chough and several birds of prey.

A summer weekend could be spent mountain climbing and sea kayaking in the Scottish Highlands and Inner Hebrides respectively. Just an hour from Fort William, a good base for climbing in the Nevis Range, a car ferry crosses to South Skye. Kayak day trips from the Isle of Skye allow exploration of the Hebridean Archipelago.

A brief study of a map of Britain reveals just how many mountains are close to the coast. Indeed, the highest peaks of England, Scotland and Wales are no more than twenty miles, as the crow flies, from the sea.

So, there is my main reason against settling in New Zealand. That, and the fact New Zealand immigration do not rank surfing or snowboarding very high up the skill set.

Words: Charlie Hoare

Charlie Hoare

 Currently living in New Zealand but missing the rugged peaks of Snowdonia and the Highlands.