The recent spate of winter weather caused disruption to businesses around the country, with suppliers and employees struggling to arrive at workplaces due to havoc on the roads. However, deep snow benefited the Scottish snow sports industry, as the fresh powder drew many avid daredevils to mountain slopes.
Centres at The Lecht, Glenshee, the Cairngorms, Glencoe and the Nevis Range have all seen a late-season boost in tourism as people around the country used their Easter break to take a budget ski holiday in the UK rather than flying out to more popular destinations such as the Alps. As a result, snow sports have been able to contribute generously to the Scottish economy at a time where every penny counts.
Tourism body VisitScotland claims that, since the start of the last season in 2012, snow sports resorts have managed to contribute £20.5 million to the overall generation of output in the country. They estimate that around £16.4 million of this sum will have been spent on fuel, accommodation and visits to local retailers – thus allowing local businesses to prosper as well.
More than 250,000 visitors have hit the slopes since December 2012, with a record breaking Easter weekend elevating the sum exponentially. This has led Ski-Scotland to voice the opinion that this could be one of the best snow sports seasons seen in the country in the past few years.
Not only that, but it looks like this run of good fortune could be set to continue. Steward Davidson, speaking for the Glenshee resort, believes that a longer season than usual is a distinct possibility given the timing of recent snowfall.
He says; “We have not been into May for 20 years, as we are not as high as places like the Cairngorms or Nevis Range, but it is a possibility.”
Higher up ranges, such as the Lecht in Aberdeenshire and the popular Cairngorm Mountain base, are optimistic that the season could stretch into June.
Yet it is not just outdoor resorts which have played a role in this leisure industry boost, as VisitScotland also praised Glasgow’s Snow Factor for its tourism appeal. As well as visitors to the city, Snow Factor attracts school parties and those on a budget for a day on the synthetic slopes.
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