Bid to cut queues at Cairngorm ski resort
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Cairngorm Mountain has unveiled some improvements in time for the new ski season – including warming the mouth of the funicular railway tunnel.
The intention is that they can get the £20 million mountain railway up and running quicker following heavy wind driven snowfalls.
The tunnel on the top section of the track leading to the Ptarmigan top station has to be dug out by staff after the most severe winter weather.
CairnGorm Mountain spokesman Colin Kirkwood explained: "Heating elements have been installed round the tunnel mouth door to help get it defrosted faster on those mornings when we have to dig out the snow which has drifted into it.
"This will mean that we can get open and get the funicular running more quickly."
The company has also created a new payment office within the equipment hire area on level three of the Day Lodge in a bid to keep ski ticket queues shorter.
The new office will be for those requiring ski hire, and ski hire and lift tickets.
Mr Kirkwood said: "This will mean that only those customers requiring lift tickets only will go the main ticket office.
"As a result they should be processed more speedily as they will not be queuing behind customers making more lengthy ski hire transactions."
Distillery bosses went as far as toasting the efforts of those involved in the "Big Dig" in February 2010 by commissioning their own whisky to mark the effort.
Tomatin Distillery was so impressed by the team effort that went into the snow-clearing at CairnGorm Mountain from January 12-17, the previous month, that they decided to reward those involved.
Forty-eight bottles of finest blend Scotch Whisky named Big ‘D’ was handed over to CairnGorm Mountain staff and volunteers who dug out the resort after the heaviest snowfall in 30 years.
Staff from CairnGorm Mountain were joined by those from local businesses, including The Ski School, G2 Outdoor Activity, and members of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
They were assisted by local contractors Jerry Job and Allan Munro Construction, who provided heavy plant to assist with snow moving.
