Cairngorm Mountain Announces Plans for Summer Toboggan Ride in 2026

Plans for a major new attraction are taking shape to complement the summer activities here at Cairngorm Mountain next year, with the hope of introducing a mountain toboggan experience.

Aiming to launch in summer 2026, subject to planning and funding approval, the dual rider toboggans will run along 1.2km of track, making it the longest of its kind in the UK, as well as the highest, with the highest point at 715 metres above sea level.

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 and utilising an existing ski tow, alongside the mountain bike trails. The ride will run from spring to autumn, and the lightweight aluminium track can be easily removed and installed in under two weeks at the start and end of the snowsports season.

Twisting and turning down the mountainside, the track will cross underneath existing bike tracks, 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 have already welcomed thousands of visitors in its first season. The existing summer offering at Cairngorm Mountain now includes activities for visitors of all ages, from mountain tubing, carting and mountain bike trails to adventure ball runs, guided walks and a viewing terrace for al fresco dining and drinking.

Tim Hurst, Interim CEO of CMSL, said: “Summer toboggans are a well-established concept in the mountains of Austria, Switzerland and 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 by hand each season.

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 summer 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 out of the snowsports season 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.

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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 summer 2026.

Why are you building a mountain toboggan?

To ensure Cairngorm Mountain (CMSL) is sustainable all year round, the resort requires to add more non-winter activities. Building on the success of existing non-winter activities introduced in the past 5 years (such as mountain biking, tubing and mountain carting), the toboggan has been chosen to complement the existing activities and to provide a unique, low impact activity for families of most abilities.

Where is the tobbogan planned to be located?

The toboggan is planned to follow a route closely to where our existing mountain bike trails are, utilising an existing ski tow for uplift. The toboggan structure will also be removed by hand for the snowsports season and reinstated afterwards.

 

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 size of the proposed toboggan?

The proposed toboggan has a track length of 1.2km.

What age and abilities is the toboggan suitable for?

The toboggan is suitable for most ages and abilities with younger children sharing a toboggan with older child or adult making it a great family experience.