There’s no business like sno-business

Highland adventure sports company Ice Factor has bought the Snozone indoor ski slope at the Xscape Braehead leisure centre from Regional & Capital as part of its ambitious plans to bring activities such as ice climbing to a wider audience.

The indoor slope is the largest of its kind in Scotland. No value was put on yesterday’s deal but the facility cost £32 million to build.

As part of the acquisition, Ice Factor will enter into a 25-year lease and will undertake a “significant capital investment”, refurbishing and upgrading the facilities.

Ice Factor currently operates the world’s largest indoor ice climbing wall at Kinlochleven near Fort William and has plans for a centre in the US.

Founder and managing director Jamie Smith said he would build an indoor ice climbing wall at the ski centre, as well as upgrading the existing facilities.

London-listed property firm Capital & Regional – which also owns the Queens Links leisure park in Aberdeen and Edinburgh’s Fountain Park leisure centre – said Ice Factor would have “a positive influence” on all of Xscape.

DOMINIC JEFF