With summer a fading memory and leaves tumbling from the trees, many will start looking towards the winter sports season and Ski Scotland has now launched its all area season pass for 2011-12.

The pass costs £420 for adults and £230 for children if bought by September 30th and it enables holders to be able to go wherever the snow is and ski at any Scottish resort during the upcoming season.

Prices will rise to £460 and £260 respectively from the start of October.

It may act as a reminder to some to invest in ski boots and other gear, such as warm jackets for the colder months ahead.

Scotland has five ski resorts, these being at the Nevis Range near Fort William, Cairn Gorm Mountain, The Lecht, Glen Shee and Glencoe.

Features of these include the Gondola cable car system at the Nevis Range, which carries skiers to the slopes in winter and mountain bikers to the top of trails in warmer months.