Snowsport figures slide to lowest for a decade

Scotland’s top ski resort – celebrating its 50th year – recorded the fewest number of days for snowsports in over a decade.

CairnGorm Mountain’s season, which lasted from 10 December to 26 May, saw 66,463 skiers and snowboarders – just over half of the previous record year.

Snowsports were possible on 110 of those 169 days, the lowest number since 1997-98.

There were 36 days between 27 February and 4 April when it was not possible to ski.

The resort had budgeted to have 73,720 skiers/boarders in season 2011-12, so fell short by around 7,000. In 2010-11 there were 121,420.

CairnGorm Mountain Chief Executive Ian Whitaker said: “It has been a challenging season with poor weather during February half-term restricting the numbers who came during what is traditionally our busiest week, then the complete absence of snow during March took its toll.

“We were on the point of making arrangements to start our expanded guided walking programme a month early when the snow returned and remained throughout May forcing us to postpone our walks.

“It was, however, a relief that our season ticket holders in particular were rewarded with some excellent snowsports in late April and May.

“Our pisting team did some great work in keeping the slopes open, providing a course to enable us to run the inaugural Red Bull 50/50 and in getting the Gorm Freestyle area jumps and rails into shape, attracting lots of interest and enhancing our reputation.”