Overwhelming CML by deciding to ski there:
+ This might show NR/CML that the demand and income is sufficient to grant new uplift and a focus of snow-sports
+ The amount of ques would go up, as would the amount of complaints, thus making our voices heard to CML/NR
+ The area might attract new grants
- As customers we might just waste our money with no positive response from CLM/NR
- As skiers, we might just incur further displeasure from sking days filled with long cues, high ski pass prices and a reduced ski area to enjoy
Part of the two previous management regimes were happy to tell you on the one hand it would require a couple of 100k skier day seasons to invest in uplift, then on the other hand tell you there would never be a 100,000 skier day season again!! Explaining that the capacity wasn't there (CML worked hard on that aspect) and there wasn't the market demand in Scotland.
Roll on huge media coverage from the coldest UK winter since 62/63 in 09/10 and CairnGorm had a 145,000 skier day season and 2 of the next 3 years were over 100,000 skier days as well.
Far from seeing an improvement in uplift, as the queues mounted and the cash flowed in during February Half term 2010, resources were redirected not to managing the crowds, but pulling down the Fiacaill T-bar and gas axing the Aonach Poma.
One can draw their own conclusions about CML.
Boycotts damage the area with little to no chance of bringing CML down, HIE will constantly stand behind CairnGorm Mountain Ltd. Sadly with CairnGorm unfortunately still too widely regarded as Scottish Snowsports the shambles is beginning to damage the whole industry.
It has to be said though that on any given day where is best to go in Scotland will vary both by factors at the resorts and the ability / mix of abilities in a group planning a trip, thus there will still be days where CairnGorm is the clear choice of where to go for weather and snow, particularly for terrain that suits a wide range of abilities. However if that is the case on the weekend you might want to think twice!
For a lot of people though CairnGorm no longer offers what they are looking for, other areas have stepped up to the plate and are now more attractive. That is not a boycott, that is CMLs decisions coming home to roost. Unfortunately it seems though that CML alone are immune for the consequences of their actions and inactions.