Ski centre targets a lift from sightseers

The Midlothian Snowsports Centre is facing the threat of closure after it emerged it was running at a loss of more than 500,000 per year.

Bosses at the slope, which has Europe's longest artificial ski slope, are now looking at alternative ways to bring in revenue, ahead of a crunch meeting on the future in August.

And they are following the lead of ski resorts around Europe, which promote their ski-lifts to hill walkers and sight-seers during the off-season summer months.

Charges for using the ski-lift will see adults charged 2.40 per trip and children 1.50.

Work will also be done to promote the views from the top, as well as walks around the hillside.

It is understood negotiations are ongoing with travel operators to bring in coach-loads of hill walkers, providing a vital source of income for the centre.

Ogo Onwuchekwa, head of communities and support services at Midlothian Council, which operates the centre, said: "We are looking into a number of options at Midlothian Snowsports Centre and will report back to the full council in August as previously agreed.

"The centre remains open for business for skiers, snowboarders, walkers and visitors and anyone using the chairlift will get a fabulous view of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.

"They can also stop off after their trip up the hill at our excellent cafe facilities. If people want to increase the chances of retaining these services, they need to come and use them this summer."

Staff cuts, price increases for school visits and casual visitors, and changes to the centre's loss-making cafe were recently approved in a make-or-break bid to keep the centre open.

It is hoped that the cost-saving measures will help reduce the centre's deficit for 2010/11 by almost 218,000, to just over 346,000.

Midlothian Council has spent more than 5 million subsidising Hillend since 1996.

Sinead Feltoe, the VisitScotland regional director for Edinburgh, said: "In the current climate more so than ever, it's vital businesses think laterally and seize new opportunities to be innovative. The plans to market the ski-lift at Hillend as a viewing platform are a great example of this and we wish them every success.

"It also demonstrates just how much there is to see and do right on our doorsteps here in Edinburgh and with the rise in 'staycations' showing no signs of abating, this is exactly the sort of activity which reminds people how much fun it can be to holiday on home turf."

Lothians MSP Ian McKee, who has been involved with discussions about the future of the centre, welcomed the plans.

"I think anything which gets people using the ski-lift and visiting the centre should be encouraged, and it is certainly an impressive view you get from the top," he said.

"We need everyone working together to try and keep the centre open and I hope this will be very popular with local people and tourists."