The Mountain Toboggan

Cairngorm Mountain Announces Plans For Year-Round Toboggan Ride In 2026

Plans for a major new attraction are taking shape to complement the activities here at Cairngorm Mountain next year, with the hope of introducing a Mountain Toboggan experience. Aiming to launch in 2026, subject to planning and funding approval, the dual rider toboggans will run along a fixed track, with the goal of having the longest of its kind in the UK, as well as the highest. The Mountain Toboggan aims to be accessible for all ages and abilities, making it a unique and inclusive visitor experience.

With an estimated investment of £1.2m, the Toboggan track will be located within the existing ski infrastructure area at the base of the mountain. The ride will run year-round, subject to snow cover and weather conditions, and the lightweight aluminium track can be easily removed should it be necessary.

Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

Twisting and turning down the mountainside, the track will offering unbeatable views of the surrounding areas, while independent braking allows the rider to safely control the speed of their adventure. Suitable for most ages and abilities, younger children can ride in the Toboggan with an adult.

The scenic Toboggan experience aligns with the objectives of the 25-year Cairngorm Masterplan to create year-round activities for every season. This is a key milestone in helping the business to become more sustainable and will also support snowsports in the future, as the unpredictable winters caused by climate change become more prevalent. Once open this will allow more full time staff to be employed year round.

In 2024, CSML opened a gravity-style Mountain Carting experience for teenagers and adults, together with a range of Adventure Ball Runs for younger children and families, which welcomed thousands of visitors in its first season.

In 2025, CMSL have continued to develop these activities with Mountain Carting now utilising the funicular railway for uplift and including a thrilling extended route back to the base. Enhancements to the Adventure Play Park have also been well received by visitors and families from the local area. These bolster the existing activities including Tubing Slides, Guided Walks, and Mountain Biking, contributing to the year-round sustainability of Cairngorm Mountain.

Tim Hurst, Interim CEO of CMSL, said: “Mountain Toboggans are a well-established concept in the mountains of Austria, Switzerland, Germany and in North America, but this is a first for the Scottish Highlands. We’re incredibly proud to be working on this exciting product, introducing something new to the area with minimal impact on the terrain. It complements the other activities on offer, fits into the existing infrastructure and is easy to remove and install when necessary”.

We’re incredibly proud to be working on this exciting product, introducing something new to the area with minimal impact on the terrain.

“By building on the success of our fantastic activities, we believe our Toboggan ride will attract even more families, encourage them to stay in the local area for longer, providing yet another reason for visitors to come to Cairngorm Mountain and to enjoy the natural mountain environment throughout the year. We’ll be offering something unique and exhilarating that all the family can enjoy, and we can’t wait to get started on it.”

Owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and operated by the Cairngorm Mountain team, the resort is one of Scotland’s iconic locations. The railway makes the mountain environment accessible for snowsports enthusiasts as well as visitors of all ages in every season of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most common questions we are asked. If your question is not answered here please feel free to contact us.

Has planning permission been granted for the Mountain Toboggan?

No, Cairngorm Mountain (CMSL) are in the early stages of planning this new attraction. This will require planning permission with a hope to launch in 2026.

Why are you building a Mountain Toboggan?

To ensure Cairngorm Mountain (CMSL) is sustainable all year round, the resort requires to add more activities that are not dependant on snow. Building on the success of existing activities introduced in the past 5 years (such as mountain biking, tubing and mountain carting), the Toboggan has been chosen to complement these and to provide a unique, low impact activity for families of most abilities.

Where is the Tobbogan planned to be located?

The location for the Mountain Toboggan is yet to be confirmed, with further consultation and design work currently being undertaken. It will be within the existing ski infrastructure at the base of the resort.

How visible will the Toboggan be on the mountain?

The Toboggan track is very close to the ground with over 70% of the entire track 50cm or less above ground level. This allows it to be largely hidden from a distance and it is also retained within the existing activities area of the mountain.

What is the length of the proposed Toboggan?

Whilst the exact length of the Toboggan is yet to be confirmed, the aim is for it to be over 1.2km in length.

What age and abilities is the Toboggan suitable for?

The Toboggan will be suitable for most ages and abilities with younger children able to share a Toboggan with older child or adult making it a fun, inclusive family experience.