Cairngorm gets ready for winter

A snow making machine and eight snow cannons are due to arrive on site on 27 November, and to be fully operational within a week.

This will guarantee snow on the lower beginner slopes, and enable ski tows to take skiers to the upper slopes when conditions there are good.

The Funicular Response Group, established by HIE in October, has met several times to co-ordinate efforts to mitigate impacts of the funicular closure. Various promotional initiatives are planned to promote the Aviemore area, including Cairngorm, as a fantastic destination for visitors and to encourage more young people onto the Cairngorm slopes this winter.

Strong winds and cold temperatures have hampered progress with the current investigation into the funicular railway supporting structure. While the engineers still aim to share initial findings with HIE on 3 December as planned, it could take up to a further two weeks to complete their final report.

We will then be able to plan for remedial work to be done to return the funicular to service as soon as possible.

On 7 November, we published the findings of the major independent review of uplift infrastructure at Cairngorm. This highlighted the huge potential to create a world-class year-round resort, with targeted investment of around £27m over a ten-year period.

Recommendations include two new six-person chairlifts, a zipwire and mountain coaster, as well as walking and mountain bike trails. It also recommends upgrades to the Ptarmigan, Shieling, and base station to improve the visitor experience.