£1m to be spent on snow-making at CairnGorm Mountain

The board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a £1m investment in snowmaking equipment for Cairngorm to ensure the mountain can open for skiing this winter.

Members received an update on the current situation with the funicular railway, which was closed towards the end of September after an inspection raised safety concerns.

The Snow Factory machine and eight snow cannons will be for use at lower levels.

HIE has said this will enable the ski tows to operate when there is snow in the higher slopes but not lower down.

It will also make the mountain more accessible for beginners and families, and reduce congestion in other high traffic areas.

The board also welcomed HIE’s plans to publish the findings of a major review of uplift infrastructure at the resort.

This is expected in the next two weeks, and will be used to steer future investment at Cairngorm.

Professor Lorne Crerar, chair of HIE, said: "While the uplift review isn’t intended to resolve the current issues, it will be instrumental in steering future investment at Cairngorm and creating a world-class year-round attraction.

"We look forward to sharing the findings of this comprehensive study, carried out by independent global experts."

A response group set up by HIE to address the potential impacts of the funicular closure has met twice already.

Members include representatives from Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust, Aviemore Business Association, Cairngorm Mountain Trust, Cairngorm Business Partnership, resort operator CairnGorm Mountain Ltd (CML), the Cairngorms National Park Authority, HIE, Highland Council, Snowsport Scotland, and VisitScotland.

An HIE spokesman said: "All partners have recognised the significant importance of Cairngorm to the Badenoch and Strathspey economy and agreed to pull together to ensure its success as a year-round visitor attraction, both now and in the longer term."

The meeting comes after CairnGorm Mountain announced it would not be running a ski school this winter.

Local ski schools will step into the breach. Local outdoor centres will also be providing ski lessons.

Alan Brattey, of Save the Ciste who are campaigning for better facilties that side of the ski area, said he was surprised by the timing of the "very unwelcome decision" in advance of the announcement about obtaining a Snow Factory and additional snow cannons.

He said: "But we certainly aren’t surprised they are not playing any meaningful part in the ‘Funicular Response Team’ which they have now compromised by their actions.

"If STC had been listen to then there would already be a large functioning learning area in the lower Ciste which could accommodate all leaners. Perhaps we’ll be listened to now but we aren’t holding our breath."

Badenoch and Strathspey Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn (SNP) said there are still many issues that will need to clarified very quickly including for the season ticket holders that have already purchased tickets.

She said: "This loyal group of people have for many years been the backbone of the hill.

"The schools who have worked timetables round skiing lessons and the local businesses who have already planned and budgeted for the season all need more information.

"We must take steps to ensure that Cairngorm and vicinity is supported to get back to being the leader in snowsports; a solution for this season and have a vision for the future."

Earlier in the week local MP Drew Hendry and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes sent joint letters to the Chief Executive of Natural Retreats Ltd and to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary, Fergus Ewing, over the failure of the company to effectively manage the resort.

Their move came after the announcement that the ski training school, vital to attracting visitors to the facility, was suddenly cancelled just as the season is about to start.

Mr Hendry said: "The news that the ski school has now been suspended is another bitter blow for the Aviemore community who have already had to deal with the closure of the funicular.

"I believe we have all been extremely patient with Natural Retreats yet promised improvements have not materialised.

"Communication is almost non-existent with the local community and when it does happen, it comes too late.

"Whilst people were prepared to accept safety comes first with the funicular, it is little wonder that those who have bought season tickets in good faith are frustrated that this news hadn’t come earlier.

"The mountain is a vital economic asset to local businesses and the community and this situation cannot be allowed to continue.

"We are urging the Cabinet Secretary to intervene."

Ms Forbes said, "I believe that HIE should take swift and decisive action in relation to CairnGorm Mountain because enough is enough.

"After several years, with little to no progress on developments, and now the funicular out of service, the ski school suspended for the season and the cancellation of Groove Cairngorm I believe that the local community have put up with more than enough.

"With the first snow falling and the local economy dependent on CairnGorm Mountain over the winter season, I am absolutely dismayed at the current state of affairs.

"I have kept in close contact with the chair and chief executive of HIE, as well as my colleague Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing.

"I know that they have worked extremely hard behind the scenes to resolve this situation, but I believe that it is now time for significant intervention.

"For the sake of local people and those who love CairnGorm Mountain, I am saddened by the way in which Natural Retreats have managed these situations."

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