After a four year wait, the funicular railway that provides access to much of Cairngorm ski area above Aviemore in Scotland re-opened on 26 January.
The track was closed after structural problems were identified in the concrete supports. Initial estimates for the repair were listed as £10m but this figure rose to £16m when more detailed tenders were received. However, it has been reported that the final repair bill was closer to £25m.
Repair work finally began in spring 2021 and was expected to be completed for last season, but delays were caused by the pandemic and ‘global supply issues’. The work involved thousands of helicopter flights to deliver a total of 800 tonnes of concrete to the site.
Cairngorm Mountain Railway is Scotland’s only funicular and is the highest in the UK reaching the Ptarmigan building at over 1,065m. Weather conditions permitting, the 2km funicular railway will now run a regular service taking skiers and snowboarders to the top of the slopes in around five minutes.
The reopening of the mountain access by funicular comes alongside other upgrades including a new ‘magic carpet’ for the beginner slopes, car park improvements, and the refurbishment of the Ptarmigan building.
The railway and track, owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and operated by the Cairngorm Mountain team, originally opened in 2001 at a cost of £26m. It previously carried around 300,000 visitors up the slopes each year, and is a year-round attraction.
Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) has welcomed the return of Scotland’s mountain railway to full operation. After tests, the UK Department of Transport issued the necessary safety certificates.
Housing the UK’s highest restaurant, a 270° immersive exhibition space and viewing platform, the Ptarmigan restaurant, located at the top station of the mountain railway, has been transformed into a light, contemporary space with an open plan gin bar, cosy log fire and floor to ceiling windows for guests to enjoy the spectacular views of the mountain range.
Susan Smith the Chief Executive at Cairngorm Mountain which opened for snow sports in January thanks to snow making machines which made 96 tonnes of snow a day. PHOTO: Peter Jolly
The cafés and popular shop located at the foot of the mountain, are both open throughout winter and offer outdoor clothing, food and drink by the log burner, and seasonal gifts. The resort as a whole offers year round interest for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors, with plans for the introduction of mountain biking in summer 2023.
Susan Smith, CEO of CMSL, (pictured) said: “The Cairngorm Mountain team is thrilled to be welcoming snowsports enthusiasts onto the funicular railway once more. The improvements across the resort have brought major changes to the visitor experience and we are so pleased to see the railway transport people to the upper slopes as well as our refurbished Ptarmigan building.”
For more information, go to: cairngormmountain.co.uk
To buy snowsports passes, CLICK HERE
Categories: News