'Police and Highland Council back Glenmore snow gates decision'
Police Scotland and Highland Council are fully behind the decision to close the snow gates at Glenmore, the operators of the Cairngorm ski resort have said.
The controversial move has in effect blocked access to two car parks on the way to the ski resort and walking in the vicinity.
Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd said its management team has discussed the queries raised by concerned customers over the decision.
There has been criticism of the road closure in some quarters and also questions on social media whether the action is legal.
The Sugarbowl car park – a popular starting point for the Chalamain Gap circuit – and the Allt Mor car park are out of bounds to motorists after the gates were closed on Christmas Eve.
The public authorities and Cairngorm Mountain were concerned that cars may get stuck in snow on the road serving the resort if access remained open whilst the road was not being ploughed and gritted.
Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd is responsible for clearing the road from the snowgates to the Coire Cas car park.
Susan Smith, CMSL interim chief executive, stated on social media: "Our consultation with Highland Council and Police Scotland has led to the decision for access to be restricted to essential maintenance staff, Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Service and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
"Our partners in Highland Council and Police Scotland support this action.
"We understand the desire of locals to use the access road during winter.
"However, the First Minister has informed parliament that she fully expected to announce further restrictions in the coming days in order to do all that is possible to attempt to contain the transmission of the new strain of the Covid virus as it is seeded all over Scotland.
"She advocated that only essential travel should be undertaken and within a very small local radius."
On the temporary closure of the resort, Ms Smith said: "The CMSL board fully expect to consider what we need to do for our loyal season pass holders in light of our temporary closure but it is simply too early to have that engagement until we have a better understanding of how long the business will be closed.
"Once the situation is clearer, all season-pass holders will be updated."
