Ski centres cash in on £25m winter windfall

The five resorts have registered 250,000 skiers and snowboarders already on the slopes with another two months to go before the season is expected to end.

The number of customers is more than any winter since 2001 and well above the 159,885 who skied or snowboarded during the 2008-9 winter. That season was worth about 4 million to the resorts and at least 12m to the Scottish economy overall. It is now hoped that this season may double the ski revenue.

An industry spokeswoman said: "This is excellent news not only for the ski companies, but also for the surrounding areas, with the season so far estimated to have generated at least 25m for the Scottish economy, of which 20m will have been spent in nearby local businesses.

"The pattern of business is also different this year, with a higher proportion of high-spending holiday visitors, as opposed to day visitors. Some areas report peak-time accommodation bookings 500 per cent higher than in previous seasons."

As well as the good conditions, the recession has played a part in the success, with

all areas reporting a high number of first-time visitors who would normally ski or snowboard abroad.