Helping mountain to reach its peak

A £27 MILLION vision to revive CairnGorm Mountain has been laid out to release the resort's 'immense unlocked potential' over the next five to 10 years.

US-based consultancy SE Group believes the resort can attract in the region of 150,000 winter visitors per year – more in seasons when there are peak snow conditions – with the right targeted investments.

But controversially they appear to have written-off any future for Coire na Ciste which accounts for one-third of the ski area and boasts the best terrain for skiers and boarders at intermediate level and beyond.

Instead the report proposes that all the focus for snowsports is on Coire Cas and two state-of-the art six person chairlifts should be installed.

There is also a role for the funicular which is currently not running at the resort because of safety fears.

However, it is seen as having a subsidiary role as snowsports uplift and to be used and maintained more for non-skiers and ski school customers.

Vermont-based SE Group carried out its independent review of uplift infrastructure at the resort between February and September, earlier this year.

No funding has been allocated. Highlands and Islands Enterprise who commissioned the report have described the findings as a starting point.

But it appears that there would have to be very persuasive arguments to now veer from this set course.

HIE's head of business development Susan Smith told the Strathy: "This is the start of a long journey but at the centre of this needs to be the buy-in from stakeholders and the local community.

"Naturally an element of funding has to come from the public purse.

"There are large infrastructure funds for which this project may be eligible."

Intriguingly she continued: "Without setting hares racing it is prudent that we look at what alternative funding mechanisms might be available.

"I would put the option forward there may be a number of philanthropic investors out there who are passionate about Cairngorm who may with a sensible model and plan consider some form of philanthropic investment."

Ms Smith would only add when pressed: "We have a very loose expression of interest which suggest to us there may be the opportunity to do a bit more work to tease out whether this is an alternative strategy but there is absolutely no guarantee."

On Coire na Ciste, she said the consultants found there was no business case to develop the area as campaigners and many ski visitors would like to see.

The HIE boss said: "They have come back quite unequivocally saying that it would not stack.

"They have looked at the two sites and said it is unsustainable as a second site until there is a capacity of 8000 people (per day) or more using CairnGorm Mountain because facilities would have to be doubled up.

"This is the view of the experts and they have consulted widely and I have to take confidence in that... to deviate from these findings there would have to be a significant rationale to do so."

Ms Smith said the two new chairlifts would replace some of the surface lifts but was unable to say which ones.

She said that their partners Highland Council, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Enterprise Scotland were 'enthused and excited' by the vision.

She said: "They believe that for the first time in many years this is a sensible approach for the way forward."

She also said HIE wants to be much more inclusive working with the 'right community representatives'.

Ms Smith explained: "It can not be a free for all. It has to be through proper and proportionate channels that we bring this forward."

She said Natural Retreats is the operator and part of the journey and 'had bought into it'. There have been no discussions with them on the route map.

Quizzed on their funding role she said there had been no talks with them yet.

There have been calls the operator to be removed by owners HIE because of a loss of faith in them and a lack of investment with £6.2m pledged in 2014 not materialising.

Charlotte Wright, HIE chief executive, said: "Clearly £27m, even over 10 years, is a large investment for a single resort, and funding is often the most challenging of all obstacles."

Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said the uplift review provides "a fantastic, positive view of the potential future for Cairngorm".

The report also says there should be improved transport links between Cairngorm and the broader Aviemore area to ease pressure on car parking.