HIE says retaining jobs at CairnGorm Mountain is the priority
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has said that they are confident that CairnGorm Mountain will remain open for business during the period of uncertainty.
It follows the announcement at lunchtime that CairnGorm Mountain Limited has entered administration.
HIE has even hinted that the latest turn in events could work out better for the future of the attraction in the longer term.
Charlotte Wright, chief executive of HIE, said: “The directors’ decision to put CairnGorm Mountain Ltd (CML) into administration is an outcome that HIE had anticipated, and we are well prepared.
“Our first priority is staff members and their families, as well as other local people who will be affected by this decision.
“We are already in direct contact with the administrator, and confident that Cairngorm will remain open for business.
“Clearly, this is not the outcome that anyone wanted when CML became the operator.
"However, with local support, we are confident that the situation can be turned around and we will see Cairngorm flourish again as a fantastic asset for this area, its economy and its people.
“£1m worth of snowmaking equipment, paid for by HIE, has arrived and will be set up on site as soon as possible.
"This will provide reliable snow cover for visitors on the lower slopes, creating good conditions for beginners and families especially.
“It also means that when there is suitable snow on the higher slopes, more experienced skiers can access those levels by tow."
HIE owns Cairngorm Estate and was in charge of operations from 2009 until 2014, when CML was appointed as operator for the resort following international procurement.
HIE investment of £1m in two Snowfactory units and eight snow cannons using their own money for CairnGorm Mountain means that it can not be used by the adninistrators to pay off any creditors.