Cairngorm Mountain’s funicular to be shut for the ski season?

 CairnGorm Mountain’s funicular railway could be out of action for the whole of the upcoming ski season- as per the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The UK’s highest railway has already been closed for about one month due to problems with the structure supporting its tracks.

Early December there will be a report from engineers on their investigation of this issue.

Cairngorm Mountain's economy might suffer if the funicular does not open this season.
Cairngorm Mountain’s economy might suffer if the funicular does not open this season.

HIE said that the ‘worst case scenario’ would be for the railway to be closed. Obviously this raised alarm bells and is cause of concern on the impact it will have locally.

As the BBC reported: “The development agency has given the warning in an announcement that it is reviewing the resort’s uplift infrastructure, and is investing £1m in a snowmaking machine and snow cannons to guarantee snow at lower levels to help salvage the latest snowsports season”

The funicular brings large volumes of skiers and boarders from the centre’s car parks to the ski areas. Without it, the snowsports enthusiasts need to use three tows from the bottom – the day lodge, car park T-bar and the Fiacaill Ridge tow, but these are slower lifts that carry fewer people.

A RAF helicopter flying over the Cairngorms. Cairngorm Mountain's funicular might not open this coming season.
A RAF helicopter flying over the Cairngorms. Cairngorm Mountain’s funicular might not open this coming season.

‘Prime concern’

HIE’s chairman Prof Lorne Crerar said: “An investigation into the concerns is well underway and we eagerly anticipate a report on that in early December, along with plans for any remedial work needed to restore the service.”

On HIE’s investment in snowmaking equipment, Prof Crerar said: “This investment means that, even if the worst case scenario comes to pass and the funicular is out of action for the season, we can still look forward to a season of winter sports at Cairngorm, just as in any other year.

Cairngorm Mountain will still open but will have only three surface lifts in the bottom, which carry much less skiers/hour if the funicular does not open this coming season.
Cairngorm Mountain will still open but will have only three surface lifts in the bottom, which carry much less skiers/hour if the funicular does not open this coming season.

“In addition to getting the funicular back into use, our prime concern now is the impact the closure will be having on operational staff at Cairngorm and on the many local businesses that have strong links to activities on the mountain.

“HIE staff are working with Business Gateway to provide local business support, and that is crucial.”

He added: “We certainly support the acquisition of snowmaking equipment and are determined to have something in place for skiers when the season kicks off.”

Uncertainty over the availability of the funicular has already had negative impacts.

Cairngorm Mountain's parking lot. Cairngorm Mountain's economy will suffer if the funicular does not open this season.
Cairngorm Mountain’s parking lot. Cairngorm Mountain’s economy will suffer if the funicular does not open this season.

CairnGorm Mountain will not be running its Snow School this season, and the annual Groove CairnGorm dance music festival will not take place next February.

Also Disability Snowsports UK (DSUK) had received a number of inquiries from disabled skiers and their families about what will happen with the Snow School. DSUK is exploring how it can deliver skiing in the Cairngorms without the funicular railway.

More info

The-Ski-Guru Travel can help you organise your bespoke trip – just email us to info@the-ski-guru.com or send as a message here.

You can start thinking about your trip, by reading the articles on the Planning your Ski Trip tab.  Or how to pack for your family ski trip. Or our last news on equipment as seen at the London Ski Show. Lots of snow makes you wonder how the resorts deal with the avalanche danger. Here you can read the interview to Coco Torres, former Head of Operations of Las Leñas, in Argentina, as how they dealt with avalanches at the resort. 

A pause on a ski day at a deck in Cairngorm Mountain. Cairngorm Mountain's funicular might not open this coming season.
A pause on a ski day at a deck in Cairngorm Mountain. Cairngorm Mountain’s funicular might not open this coming season.

Or perhaps you may choose to read the Ski Resort NewsSki Passes News, and the Must-Read Guides to Zermatt,  CourmayeurVal di Fiemme and Crans-Montana. Coming soon will be the guides to Lech and St Anton. Or see an amazing heli flight over the Mont Blanc Massif. Also see tips on how not to be scammed when booking a ski chalet.

You can also read what’s new at Les Trois Vallées and the last article on what is new at the Tirol ski areas,  in 3 Zinnen Dolomites ,  in Gstaadand in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.

Also, you can read how Grandvalira will be staying together as one lift ticket company and how they are adding Ordino Arcalis to  this offer. Or read about the latest investments in Whistler Blackcomb. Or see how Taos is going against the industry trend, and instead of merging with the two biggest oligopolies in skiing at the moment, it goes and buys an airline to get more bums in resort.

If you want to salivate and think of snow, see our snow report from last weekend here.

Featured Image: The Cairngorm Mountain’s funicular might not open this coming season. Photo: Cairngorm Mountain

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