01 / 11 / 2008
Over 250 snow sports enthusiasts took advantage of early snowfall as CairnGorm opened for skiing a full month earlier that the ski season in 2007.
Press Release
Issued Saturday 1st November 2008
Skiers Hit the Slopes at CairnGorm for some Early Sport.
Over 250 snow sports enthusiasts took advantage of early snowfall as CairnGorm opened for skiing a full month earlier that the ski season in 2007.
CairnGorm experienced heavy snowfalls for most of the week and on Wednesday and Thursday ski patrol and piste machine groomers pulled out all the stops to create a pisted, skiable run from the Ptarmigan Station at the Top all the way down to car park level giving a vertical drop of some 1450ft. The run is narrow and below the middle station conditions are not expected to last as the settled weather continues but for the time being there are smiles all round for some early winter fun.
The snow cover on the mountain is largely cosmetic but the run from top to bottom using the funicular railway for access has been a welcome boost for snow sports enthusiasts. This week coincides with the English half term holidays so many visitors as well as locals were making the most of the unexpected wintry conditions. Over 250 skiers and boarders were also joined by more than 400 non skiing spectators today (Saturday 1st November) out on the mountain.
Tania Alliod , Cairngorm’s Marketing Manager said:
“ It is great to be able to take advantage of early snowfall as everyone is always very enthusiastic and itching to get their skis and boards on as well as simply watch the winter activity. The mountain railway closes for a four week maintenance period from Monday 3rd November so to be able to offer some form of snow sports this week end was important in a number of ways; to our season ticket holders and the local community it demonstrates the management teams commitment to snow sports and it’s a bonus for visitors to the area as hopefully it will give them confidence to come back to Scotland for a winter break instead of heading overseas. Today we’re taking calls from all over the UK with customers asking about skiing. This is encouraging and bodes well for a good winter to come”.
Early snow is not uncommon and skiing has taken place at CairnGorm Mountain as early as October in previous years (2002). The management at CairnGorm Mountain do not expect snow conditions to persist into next week as temperatures are forecast to become milder and the annual maintenance is due to begin on the train.
The funicular railway will be closed to the public for annual maintenance from Monday 3rd November through until the 5th December with train contractors on site for the whole of that period. This year is a “major service” with the trains being lifted off the tracks for inspection. For information on progress please visit the web site at www.cairngormmountain.org. There are no plans to open uplift for skiing during the maintenance period, however if significant snowfall does occur we will review this decision. The priority remains to complete the planned maintenance to be ready for a December operation.
For further information please contact:
Tania Alliod tel: 07890 734620
Pictures Available from Peter Jolly tel: 07971 285749
ENDS
