First major snowfall hails start for skiing

MOUNTAIN ski resorts could be open from this weekend following snowfalls across the country.

Staff at CairnGorm mountain, near Aviemore, are hoping the weekend will bring the first snow sports enthusiasts of the season.

Ross Coulter, marketing executive at Cairngorm mountain, said: “We can’t confirm it yet, but we are hoping this weekend is a possibility for opening.

“We are hoping there some kind of snow storm.

“It can be as simple as deciding on the day we will be open for skiing – if we are skiing this weekend then it will be the runs at the top of the mountain, which include some of the green runs, so beginners are able to get up there as well.”

Heather Negus, marketing manager at Nevis Range, said: “We open when we have enough snow to safely ski and operate. Some years we have opened early December, some

is years it is much later on.”

Last year’s ski season brought in nearly £24 million to the Scottish economy.

Other resorts have said that they may not be open for a few more weeks, despite the recent snowfall.

Pat Matheson, at the Lecht, near Strathdon in Aberdeenshire, said: “We can only open when we have enough snow, and we don’t at the moment.

“There’s a flurry just now, just a dusting, but as the sun has come out so we will have to wait on the next snowfall. It varies when we usually open – it can be anytime from mid-October until the start of January.”

Andy Meldrum, managing director of Glencoe Mountain Resort, said: “We are aiming to be open by December 19.

A spokesman for Glenshee resort also said they were hoping to be open before Christmas, as long as there is enough snow.