Cairngorms group hits out over plans by Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd to limit number of skiers able to use Highland ski resort
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A campaign group says that plans to limit visitors to 1000 a day at the Cairngorm resort is a threat to tourism in the area.
Save the Ciste is warning the limit by operators Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd (CMSL) will see skiers going elsewhere rather than risk not getting onto the hill.
The move comes in a bid to manage visitors to the area after the resort's funicular railway shut down last October, with no date to reopen.
A message on Save the Ciste's social media site said: "Cairngorm will limit skier numbers this year to a maximum of just 1000 per day.
"While the ticket restriction is made for the right reasons – to avoid further degradation of the visitor experience for those who have managed to obtain tickets – it signifies yet another failure for Highland tourism.
"It is not yet clear how information will be delivered effectively to any prospective customers en-route to the hill at the time that ticket sales reach capacity. If somebody makes the long journey up from England or the Borders, or even from just down the road, and are skier number 1001, they are set to be turned away.
"Does this mean more skiers will simply choose to ski elsewhere, to avoid risking disappointment and a wasted day/tank of fuel?
"With the mass removal of chairlifts, pomas and T-Bars from Cairngorm across the past 15 years, compounded by the prolonged closure of the funicular railway, Cairngorm is running at less than 50 per cent of its uplift capacity in 2019 than in the mid 1990s."
CMSL is a subsidiary of owners Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
A spokeswoman for Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: "Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd unveiled their winter plans a couple of weeks ago and underlined their commitment to deliver a superb experience for skiers and snowboarders.
"With the funicular out of service at present, it should be clear that uplift capacity on the mountain will have to be reduced in the coming season.
"At the same time, snow making on the lower slopes will aim to ensure that less experienced visitors can also look forward to a fantastic day out.
"The key point is that CMSL is totally committed to delivering a high quality offering at Cairngorm this winter. Placing a reasonable limit on numbers using the ski lifts is a sensible measure that will minimise queuing times and avoid disappointment.”
