The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Skiers back ‘snow factory’
Snowsports: Glencoe dream to switch on ski season attracts cash pledges
Plans to make enough artificial snow to guarantee winter sports every season at Scotland’s oldest ski resort have snowballed.
Days after launching the scheme, 120 people have already pledged thousands of pounds of cash to a crowdfunder for the initiative at Glencoe Mountain.
Supporters include Stephen Spiers who has taken one of the 40 business sponsorships of £2,500 as well as 26 people who have pledged £100 and 10 who have donated £250. Supporters get a range of benefits linked to their donation.
Glencoe Mountain, which dates back to 1956, said it hopes to buy a “factory” to build “massive snow piles” in November so the centre can open for snowsports on December 1 each year.
The snow would be spread on the resort’s new Coire Pollach ski run and sledging area.
“The dream is to be able to guarantee a set opening and closing date each year and have an area of guaranteed snow throughout the whole season. With your help we really can make that happen,” said the resort’s managing director, Andy Meldrum, launching the fundraising supporters’ scheme.
“Last season was the worst ski season on record with only 32 days ski-ing – and even the ski-ing we had was what we in Scotland call agricultural. That’s code for there being lots of grass and mud mixed in with the snow.
“What we want to do with your help is purchase a TechnoAlpin Snowfactory. These units make 100 cubic meters of snow per day in temperatures of up to 25 degrees and unlike our conventional snow cannons can operate in mild, wet and windy conditions.
“The plan would be to turn the Snowfactory on in early November and build massive snow piles which would then be pushed out onto our new Coire Pollach ski run and sledging area for opening day on December 1.
“The Snowfactory would then be used throughout the season to patch up runs where required and ensure we always had some great skiing and sledging available right through until the May bank holiday weekend.
“A Snowfactory at Glencoe really could be a game changer for Scottish skiing.”
Last month, CairnGorm Mountain near Aviemore – the most popular of Scotland’s five snowsports resorts – said it was pushing ahead with a plan to build artificial slopes so it could offer the pursuits year-
“Really could be a game changer for Scottish skiing”