Cairngorm Mountain Resort Opens For 22/23 Season 21st December
With snow falling on the tops, Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited (CMSL) is gearing up for a snowsports season to remember, with the launch of slope improvements, a refurbished restaurant and the reinstatement of the mountain railway.
Weather permitting, from 21st December, enthusiasts of all ages and abilities can take to the slopes at Cairngorm Mountain after a series of major improvement works. Two new ‘magic carpet’ conveyor belt systems have been installed to take skiers and snowboarders up towards the beginner slopes this winter season, and will also be used for mountain biking in summer 2023. The beginner slopes are equipped with cannons to ensure the area is evenly covered in snow. Season passes are now on sale providing unlimited access to the slopes from 21st December through to 16th April 2023. Day tickets will also be available shortly before season opening.
Visitors can also make use of the improvements to the 373-space car park, with new parking bays, pedestrian pathways to walks, improved signage, and incredible viewpoints down towards Loch Morlich.
The Ptarmigan building, which houses the UK’s highest restaurant, 270° immersive exhibition space and viewing platforms, has also seen significant transformation. Located at the top station of the mountain railway, the newly designed restaurant has been transformed into a light, contemporary space with an open plan gin bar, cosy log fires and floor to ceiling windows for visitors to enjoy the spectacular views of the mountain range. The restaurant is expected to re-open early 2023 in line with the reinstatement of the mountain railway.
In the meantime, the café and popular mountain shop located at the foot of the mountain, are both open throughout winter only closing for Christmas Day. Enjoy outdoor gear shopping, cosy drinks and food by the log burner, and seasonal treats.
The Cairngorm Mountain improvements come after the recent announcement of the mountain railway entering its final stages of completion. Testing will continue into December and the mountain railway is expected to again be operational once safety certificates have been issued by the Department for Transport in the new year. The focus is currently on engineers from Swiss company Garaventa/Frey, who are installing a new control system to ensure safe operations.
Susan Smith, CEO of CMSL, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome back visitors for another season of snowsports. We have been busy making major improvements across the resort, from the magic carpet runs, to the refurbished Ptarmigan restaurant, and the star attraction, the mountain railway. With all major improvement works due to be completed by early 2023, we cannot wait for visitors to enjoy the new facilities Cairngorm Mountain has to offer.”
Owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and operated by the Cairngorm Mountain team, the resort is one of Scotland’s iconic locations and the railway makes the mountain environment accessible not only for snowsports enthusiasts, but visitors of all ages and abilities in every season of the year. With environmental rangers who oversee the protection of the site and can offer insights on its unique nature, visitors can learn about the Cairngorms and Scotland’s mountain environment.
