Aviemore celebrates snowy winter with family-friendly activities and rail jam
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Aviemore will mark the start of winter in style with a family-friendly celebration which will see tonnes of snow coming down the slopes from Cairngorm Mountain for a bit of a jam.
The Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust is hosting its annual Winter Launch Festival this Friday (December 15) from 4pm to 10pm and it is all for free.
The fun is taking place at the community-owned Aviemore Ice Rink, situated within the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, with ice skating available from 1.30pm.
To create the ultimate winter experience, Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited (CMSL) has donated 20 tonnes of snow for the festival’s Rail Jam.
With the donated snow, snowboarders and skiers across Aviemore will perform tricks on the rails.
The Rail Jam will begin with a fun freestyle session for local clubs from 2pm and other rail jam sessions planned till late.
There will be activities for the whole family including ice skating, a barbecue, a fire pit and s’mores as well as hearty mince pies and mulled wine.
While entry is free, the money raised will go towards the development of community ice sports programmes and the Aviemore Burnside Park Project.
Cairngorm Mountain’s snow donation has enabled AGCT to host a larger rail jam and bring together local snowsports enthusiasts.
By hosting the ice rink within the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, the trust has also been able to return the full-sized ice sports venue to the local community.
Duncan Swarbrick, AGCT chair, said: “The arrival of snow has brought some good early conditions in Cairngorm for ski touring and split boarding and has got people stoked for winter snow sports in the strath.
"It’s great to see local businesses and bodies coming together for a winter launch in Aviemore for visitors and locals to enjoy and raise some money for local causes.”
Susan Smith, CEO of CMSL, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Winter Launch Festival again this year.
"With our donation of 20 tonnes of snow, we look forward to celebrating the winter season alongside the local community as well as seeing snowsports enthusiasts showing off their skills during the Rail Jam.”
Kenny McMillan, managing director of Macdonald Aviemore Resort, commented: “It’s wonderful to see the community come together to create a unique festival experience, and we’re proud to play our part by hosting the ice rink.
"There really is something for the whole family to enjoy and experience what a magical place Aviemore can be at this time of year. Macdonald Aviemore Resort has been welcoming visitors to the area to celebrate the winter season for decades.
"We’re looking forward to the opportunity to not only enjoy the elements but help create new, fun-filled memories for people of all ages.”
Euan Baxter, Park and Pipe Pathway Coach at Snowsport Scotland, said: “Skiing and snowboarding is the cultural heritage of the strath so it's fantastic to see the local community and the mountain working together to support snowsports and celebrate the launch of winter.”
The new snowsports season at Cairngorm Mountain gets under way from Friday 22nd December.
