Bid to put zip into ski centre all year round

Amajor ski centre has taken a giant leap to becoming a year-round visitor hotspot with plans approved for a series of zipwire slides.

Glenshee, which is missing out on what could have been a lucrative winter sports season, wants to diversify into a leading “adventure tourism destination” and give thrillseekers the chance to whizz through the air across the 2,000 acre site.

The first part of a new masterplan for the Perthshire ski centre – three double zipwire installations – has now been approved by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

The Zipwire Safari will allow two riders to simultaneously slide from the top of the Cairnwell Chairlift to the ski centre base.

It will be one of very few developments of its kind in the UK.

According to plans submitted to the park authority (CNPA), bosses want to build a series of zipwire rides of more than 7,000ft in length.

Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Board and independent Perth and Kinross councillor Xander McDade welcomed the scheme.

“This will allow them to attract more summer tourists to support their winter operations and provide greater year-round employment,” he said.

Planning committee convener Gaener Rodger added: “The project is a great fit with what the business is offering and would certainly attract more visitors, supporting the local economy.

“A year when the snow was fantastic but ski centres had to remain shut was extremely frustrating so if we can do anything to support these businesses then we must.”

CNPA planning officer Stephanie Wade said: “The proposal for a zipwire attraction at Glenshee meets with our policies around supporting economic growth and particularly tourism and leisure developments and will have very little impact on the landscape in the context of its location within a ski centre.

“Like most ski centres throughout Scotland, Glenshee has been busy adapting and diversifying in recent years to help the business to become a year-round visitor attraction.

“A development such as this, while meeting certain conditions, is one that I am happy to recommend for approval.”

THRILLS IN THE HILLS: Glenshee has had plans approved for a new zipwires attraction.