Snow gates reopen at Glenmore to Cairngorm resort

The Cairngorm Mountain ski gates at Glenmore have reopened to the public today after controversially being locked since Christmas.

Police Scotland and Highland Council said at the time they were fully behind the decision by resort bosses to close the gates.

The controversial move 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 at the time its management team had discussed the queries raised by concerned members of the public over the decision.

CMSL interim chief executive Susan Smith told the Strathy: "The decision to close the snow gate was made by Police Scotland, Highland Council and CMSL purely on the grounds of public safety.

"The majority of CMSL staff are on furlough until we partially reopen on 26 April 2021.

"During lockdown there was only a skeleton crew working Monday to Friday and it has meant that normal road clearing was kept to a minimum given that the business was closed.

"We do not have staff working weekends whilst the business is closed.

"Opening the snow gate today was a decision again taken by Police Scotland, Highland Council and CMSL."

There was criticism of the road closure in some quarters at the time and also questions on social media whether the action was lawful.

Concerns have since been expressed over the length of time it has taken to reopen the gates.

Andrew Collins posted on social media after the reopening of the upper section of the ski road: "Excellent ... months later than it should have been but hey ho."

Roddy Stevens posted: "Brill but they could have opened them a few days earlier to give the locals a shot before the invasion...

Gavin Lippitt observed: "Just in time for Monday's snow!"

The Sugarbowl car park – a popular starting point for the Chalamain Gap circuit – and Allt Mor car park as well as Coire na Ciste and Core Cas car parks had been out of bounds to motorists after the gates were closed on Christmas Eve.

Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd is responsible for clearing the road from the snow gates to the Coire Cas car park.

Skiers and snowboarders took to skiing down the closed road during the great snow in January and the first part of February – having walked to the Coire Cas car park.

The Scottish Government has said travel will be allowed to resume across the country as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions from April 26.

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