New Cairngorm Mountain boss delighted that funicular is returning for this winter
The announcement that the Cairngorm funicular will be back on track in time for the start of the resort’s snowsports season has been widely welcomed.
One of the leaders of the Cairngorm Ski Club has said that it is the best present their youngsters could get if it is delivered for December 20.
Resort owners Highlands and Islands Enterprise have confirmed the date - the first time an actual return has been given since the mountain railway was closed in August, last year, on renewed safety concerns.
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Previous updates had just stated at some point in the coming snowsports season.
This generally runs to Easter at Cairngorm Mountain and concerns had persisted that it could mean March or April and another winter without the resort’s main uplift.
Tim Hurst, interim chief executive of CMSL, said yesterday that the programme of remediation works led by Balfour Beatty is on-going.
He said: “As long as all goes to plan that will enable the funicular to be available at the start of the snowsports season.
“The Ptarmigan Building will also re-open in conjunction with the mountain railway and we also have the Cairngorm Café and refurbished Cas Bar open throughout the winter season in the Day Lodge Building.
“Season passes are available for purchase and are selling well… As always, parking will be free throughout the snowsports season in our refurbished main car park.”
Mr Hurst added: “We are delighted to be moving towards a re-opening of the mountain railway which is great news for all our customers and our dedicated team at Cairngorm Mountain.”
Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP) is a long-time supports of the funicular.
He said: “This is great news and I thank the staff on the hill and the Balfour Beatty workers and those of the contractors .
“It is so easy to forget that this is the most challenging buildling site in the UK. I hope that there is a good season for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.”
Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes (SNP) described the closure of the funicular as ‘an exceptionally challenging time for Cairngorm Mountain’.
“I am delighted to hear it will be operational again soon,” she said. “This is great news.
“Everyone I have spoken to - whether that’s locals, businesses or visitors - agrees that there is huge untapped potential in the future of the mountain.
“I hope the reopening of the funicular will help the resort move forward from the disappointment and frustration of the past few years.”
Cristian Pizarro, vice chairman of the Cairngorm Ski Club said: "We have just opened bookings for our winter coaching programme for eight to 18-year-olds and having the funicular back would be the best Christmas present for our community.
“Our nearly 200 members invest in season passes every year and with the funicular running the value for money they receive increases significantly.”
Grantown-based conservationist Gordon Bulloch remains concerned, however.
He said: “If and when the funicular does re-open again, what evidence will HIE or CMSL present to demonstrate that it is safe to operate?
“I, for one, am not willing to accept assurances on the funicular safety without detailed reports on the extensive repair work that has been completed; evidence that shows that the structure is now stable and safe to take the required loads and evidence on the testing carried out.
“Lastly, who is signing off that the funicular is safe for public use?”
The funicular is crucial for easy access to the upper slopes where the most reliable snow and more extensive novice areas are located.
The uplift only returned in January, last year, after repairs costing around £25m. It had not run since September 2018 prior to that because of safety concerns over the integrity of the 1.7 kilometres concrete viaduct.
An HIE spokesman said: “Clearly, every day counts at the moment but we currently expect the works to be concluded and the necessary trials, training and safety checks carried out successfully over the coming weeks.
“As long as all goes to plan, that will enable the funicular to return to service on December 20.”
• For more information about the CSC’s winter programme visit https://www.cairngormskiclub.co.uk/core-programme/
