Boss calls for a united front on Cairngorm Mountain
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The boss of Cairngorm Mountain has called for unity as the first green shoots of recovery start to be seen at the key attraction for Badenoch and Strathspey.
Work is currently progressing on new uplift – two magic carpets – on the lower slopes ahead of new bike trails opening around late Spring.
It is the first part of the 25-year masterplan to climate proof the business whilst the funicular is scheduled to be back on track early next year after an absence of more than four years on safety grounds.
Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd boss Susan Smith said she wants to create a destination that the local community can be proud of.
In the past the resort and its site has been a battleground with competing views over the best way forward to secure a future in the face of global warming.
And the appointment by resort owners Highlands and Islands Enterprise of private holiday rental company Natural Retreats in 2014 to run the business turned into a corporate disaster.
The public agency had to pick up the pieces after the previous operator went into administration a short time after the funicular was closed in September 2018.
Ms Smith said: “We are different now. We are a private operator run by a commercial board owned by the public sector.
“We care about the local community; we care about offering good employment to local people.
“We want to sell this mountain as a place to live, work and play.
“I am passionate about leaving here a much better place than I found it. I spend 14 to 15 hours every day listening, caring about what we do...
“We are moving forward to build the bedrock of what a successful company will be here looking after the needs of the local economy and being proud of what we offer at Cairngorm Mountain.
“I can’t say that enough.”
Ms Smith confessed she now understands the business much better than she did in her first year at the helm.
“It is about looking after the natural environment and giving our customers something to say ‘we are proud of that’.”
Pressed on HIE’s appointment of Natural Retreats and the bad blood that created, Ms Smith said it had been ‘a market tested solution’.
She continued: “HIE interceded – and thankfully they did – and we are in a different story now.”
As for snowsports and Cairngorms’ decline in market share in recent years, she said: “People will vote with their feet if they want to come skiing and snowboarding at Cairngorm Mountain.
“We are going to do everything we can to set the place up professionally, work with the ski clubs and the ski instructors, the holiday market, travel trade to provide a product that we are proud of.
“Things that are outwith our control we can not deal with and unfortunately it is a business model predicated on winter weather.”
Progress on Cairngorm funicular
A hugely complex programme of civil engineering works to strengthen the two kilometres viaduct began in November 2020 and is due to conclude in the Autumn.
A new funicular control system is currently being installed and this will be followed by a period of rigorous testing and certification before passengers are again welcomed on board.
Reinstating the funicular is a major element in a programme of investment to make Cairngorm Mountain a successful year-round attraction.
An HIE spokesman said: “We’re on schedule to have the funicular back in service for snowsports enthusiasts and other visitors to Cairn Gorm during the coming winter season.
"Strengthening works along the two kilometres viaduct are nearing completion and a new control system is being installed, part of which was delivered by helicopter to the top station in early October.
"After installation and a period of rigorous testing and safety certification, we will once again welcome visitors on board.
"The exact timing depends on a range of factors, not least the mountain weather.”
Related articles:
Work starts on new uplift at Cairngorm Mountain
Planning starts on new Day Lodge building and Coire Cas chairlift
Ms Smith commented: “We look forward to welcoming visitors for our winter season and there is no doubt the reinstated funicular railway will be a highlight for guests.
"The work undertaken by Balfour Beatty in repairing and improving the funicular railway has been impressive. Their consideration in protecting our unique mountain environment has ensured that the works have improved the site and will maintain the safety of our visitors, as well as protect the wildlife and ecosystem of the mountain.”
