daveski Wrote:
Seriously why would any operator even bother trying to attract winter highlanders, apart from the few exceptions going by recent comments it would be a customer segment I would avoid. Personally I think as a whole WH does more to damage the image of Scottish skiing. In the past I would of reccomended WH to folks to get a good update, not any more. I now recommend each areas Facebook or web page.
Dave : you are right much of the moaning about Cairngorm is unjustified. I had a great day skiing there midweek at the start of April. It can still be a fun place to ski.
However.... Skiers are right to comment about the lack of mid-mountain uplift. The situation in Coire na Ciste in particular is farcical. It currently contains the best snow on the mountain and will be complete for weeks to come. Yet a rusting and neglected West Wall chairlift means it cant be enjoyed.
As far as I can see the decision to scale back operations to funicular + tourist attractions (plus smaller ski area) over the last decade have come from the very top (i.e HIE). So you are correct - there is no point moaning about the "operator". It seems clear their hands have been tied by the suits and accountants ?
This is very much proven by HIE's recent crazy decision to invest £4 million upgrading the "cafes and retail" rather than actually investing in snowsports or uplift that needs replaced. How many *extra* summer visitors do they think they can attract (given that people cant leave the top station due to the closed sytem!). None of these recent proposals will attract extra visitors to the area....
Why do I care? Well lack of public funding for investments in snowsports is worrying for the entire Scottish ski industry. Diversification at Cairngorm is good - but not at the expense of the skiing itself or indeed the other scottish ski areas. Fair comment ?
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www.haggistrap.co.uk]
Edited 1 times. Last edit at 08.43hrs Tue 15 Apr 14 by Doug_Bryce.