An American company that has worked on large-scale projects all over the world has been picked to carry out a major independent review on ski lifts and infrastructure at Cairngorm Mountain.
Owner of the resort site, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has appointed North American firm SE Group to carry out the review, which will take around eight months to complete.
The firm has worked on thousands of ski area and mountain resort projects throughout America, Europe, and Asia.
These have included the Arapahoe Basin improvement plan in Colarado, where it proposed projects including a lift serving almost 400 acres of terrain in Montezuma Bowl with a single chairlift, and upgrading the existing base lift with a high-speed detachable quad.
For Cairngorm, the contractors will be consulting a wide range of local and national interest groups. The review will consider options for potential future investment in infrastructure.
It will explore how Cairngorm might adapt for success in a changing ski market and identify potential opportunities for year-round diversification.
HIE is facing a community buyout bid for the snow sports centre from Aviemore and Glenmore Trust, which wants to take over the former ski area know as the Ciste. The trust has said that HIE has had nine years to change things.
SE Group will also investigate options for redevelopment in the lower part of Coire na Ciste, following a recent clear up exercise that included the removal of old, disused chairlifts.
More effective snowmaking will be another area of focus.
Susan Smith, head of business development at HIE, said: “SE Group has extensive experience helping ski resorts around the world improve their operations through new opportunities and addressing some of the challenges associated with weather- dependent businesses. We are delighted to be able to bring their international expertise to Scotland to support us in getting this important review underway.
“Cairngorm Mountain is a major part of the sustainable tourism offering in and around Aviemore and Strathspey. It is important to develop this key visitor attraction in a way that will increase visitor numbers, generate year-round income and provide employment.”
Ewan Kearney, chief operating officer with CairnGorm Mountain Limited, said: “We will work closely with SE Group throughout the process and look forward to reviewing the outcomes and recommendations.”
Claire Humber, SE Group’s director of resort planning and design, added: “We appreciate the complexity, and challenges associated with this venue and its operation – as a recreational facility, a tourism destination, a local employer and regional economic driver.”
