Report Outlines £27m Vision For Cairngorm

A major new study has set out a five to ten year vision to create a world class year-round recreational resort at Cairngorm Mountain, subject to investment of up to £27m.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) commissioned US consultancy, SE Group, to carry out the independent review of uplift infrastructure at the resort between February and September this year.

Key points:

• There is immense unlocked potential at Cairngorm that can be unleashed with targeted, strategic investments
• Cairngorm's potential carrying capacity is 2,700 but actual capacity is only 1,600
• Snow fencing is crucial to operations at Cairngorm and the system should be used and upgraded as necessary to consistently provide snow on the slopes and reduce snow drifting
• Cairngorm doesn't have a high enough skier capacity to justify the expense of reopening and running Coire na Ciste, nor would it effectively resolve the overcrowding and long queues.
• Cairngorm and the wider community should work together to present a unique experience and seamless message about the destination
• New infrastructure and technology should be put in place to mitigate against closures of the access road, funicular, lifts, and terrain due to weather events
• A mountain coaster and zip line tour would provide outdoor recreation experiences to a wide range of tourists and interests, while generating revenues
• A lift−served mountain biking system is consistent with the 'outdoor adventure' orientation of the area and would be accessible to many

The study involved a detailed analysis of current operations at Cairngorm, the market context and consultation with local business groups and public bodies.

A report of the key findings of the project was published today (Wednesday 7 November). It highlights ‘immense unlocked potential at Cairngorm that can be unleashed with targeted, strategic investments’.

A series of measures are proposed to increase winter visits to 150,000 consistently, higher during peak years, increasing Cairngorm’s market share over time.

Uplift improvements are recommended to increase carrying capacity from the current 1,600 to the resort’s full potential of 2,700. This would be achieved by constructing two new chairlifts out of the Coire Cas base area; one with a 3,200 people per hour (pph) lift capacity and a second with 3,000 pph.

The proposed uplift improvements along with snowmaking technology could create an additional 30 hectares of skiing area over the investment period.

The funicular is described in the report as unique to Cairngorm. It recommends that it should continue to be enhanced and, once new uplift is in place, operators should consider tailoring its use, for example, for non-skiing visitors and ski school customers.

The review also explored the potential to reopen the second Cairngorm base at Coire na Ciste. It looked at both chairlift and surface lift options and the costs and benefits associated with each.

The consultants concluded that the resort doesn’t have a high enough skier capacity to justify the initial and ongoing operational costs involved in running a second base, nor would it effectively resolve the issues of overcrowding and long queues. Instead, it recommends maximising the operational efficiency by upgrading facilities at Coire Cas.

To boost the resort’s appeal and revenue during summer months, consultants have recommended a mountain coaster, a zipline tour and a lift-served mountain biking experience. A series of measures are also proposed to improve operations, capacity, experience, and revenues across the resort year-round. They include expanding and remodelling the Ptarmigan restaurant at the top station, reopening the Sheiling at the mid station, and enhancing the Coire Cas base facilities.

The report also recommends that Cairngorm operators and the wider community should work together to present a unique experience and seamless message about the area as a destination. It highlights an existing opportunity to provide transport links between Cairngorm and the broader Aviemore area, which would have the added benefit of easing pressure on car parking.

Charlotte Wright, HIE chief executive, said “We are extremely grateful to all those who took part in this study. It is an excellent piece of work that presents a long-term vision for Cairngorm, which will be used to prioritise future investment.

“Clearly £27m, even over ten years, is a large investment for a single resort, and funding is often the most challenging of all obstacles. However, the report certainly gives us all something to work towards.

“We are determined that the vision for Cairngorm is a joint vision and that work towards achieving that vision is carried out jointly. To that end, an important aspect to all of this will be engagement with local business and community groups, politicians, public bodies and other stakeholders.”

Councillor Bill Lobban, local member and chair of the funicular response group, said  “The uplift review provides a fantastic, positive view of the potential future for Cairngorm. It will, no doubt, be a starting point for wide ranging discussions with the local community, businesses and stakeholders all of whom will have their own views as to how we take this crucially important business forward. Funding will not be easy but with the backing of the community this is something that together we can deliver. It’s our mountain so let’s make sure we work together to make it successful

HIE is already in the process of buying snowmaking equipment for Cairngorm, following the agency Board’s approval last week for a £1m investment. This will enable the ski tows to operate when there is snow in the higher slopes but not lower down. It will also make the mountain more accessible for beginners and families, and reduce congestion in other high traffic areas.