Snow machine to save season for CairnGorm

New kit will help bring sports action to the lower slopes during winter while funicular is out of use

CRISIS-HIT CairnGorm is to get £1 million worth of snow-making equipment to boost the ski centre’s fortunes while its funicular is out of action.

The funding was agreed by the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) yesterday as it met for the first time since the mountain railway was closed suddenly amid safety fears at the start of this month.

Scottish Government-funded HIE hopes to have the kit, which will be used on the resort’s lower slopes, in place by December as the winter snow sports season gets under way.

Chief executive Charlotte Wright described the decision as “really good news” for the centre, which is owned by the development agency and operated under a lease agreement by CairnGorm Mountain (CML).

Amid fears of a knock-on effect on the local economy from the funicular’s closure, HIE will back a new marketing campaign for businesses in Aviemore and the surrounding area and continue to support a response team set up to help businesses hit by the problems.

Ms Wright also said the board had expressed “a lot of concern” over CML’s decision not to run a ski school at the centre this season.

No timescale has yet been given for the funicular railway coming back into operation.

A report by engineers investigating problems with structures supporting the tracks is expected by late next month or early December.

Enterprise chiefs are buying £1 million worth of snow-making equipment to boost the fortunes of crisis-hit Cairn Gorm, while the snow sports centre’s funicular is out of action.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) hopes to have the kit in place by December as the ski season gets under way, the agency’s chief executive Charlotte Wright told The Press and Journal last night.

The artificial snow will be used on the lower slopes of Cairn Gorm, near Aviemore, which is Scotland’s second largest skiing and snowboarding area.

The resort was plunged into crisis earlier this month when the 17-yearold mountain railway that gives access to higher, longer runs, was taken out of operation on safety grounds after problems were discovered with the structures that support its tracks.

There has been widespread concern in the area over the impact the closure will have on the local economy, with many businesses dependant on income from winter sports enthusiasts.

Owned by Scottish Government-funded HIE, the ski centre is run on a 25-year lease by CairnGorm Mountain (CML), which is part of holiday accommodation group Natural Retreats.

The decision to buy the snow-making equipment was made by HIE’s board yesterday as it met for the first time since the funicular problems emerged.

Ms Wright said: “The board were very keen to get an update on the whole situation and are very concerned about it.

“We approved funding of £1m to acquire snowmaking facilities, which is really good news as it will enable skiing to happen on the lower slopes.”

The HIE chief executive said the agency would fund a new marketing campaign for Cairngorms Business Partnership, aimed at reminding visitors there is “more to the Aviemore area than just skiing”.

It will also continue to support the work of a response team set up in partnership with Highland Council and Business Gateway to help businesses hit by the funicular closure.

Ms Wright said that board members had expressed concern over CML’s decision not to run a ski school at the centre this season, which had been taken without consulting HIE.

She continued: “They are keen that we continue to have regular discussions with the current operators.

“There was a lot of concern over the ski school decision.”

Photograph by Sandy McCook DERAILED: The centre’s funicular railway is out of action after problems were discovered with the structure.