Powerboards give park new drive

AN OUTDOOR activities centre is building up its range of winter pursuits with the latest snow sports favourite.

Deeside Activity Park, near Aboyne, has taken delivery of six powerboards – a sport that has been compared to snowboarding with a motor. The owners have shipped boards in from America and, with the heavy snowfall set to last, they are hoping the machines will become a big attraction.

Park spokeswoman Fiona McIver said: “We believe we are one of the first companies in the UK to be using them. The powerboards are stand-on, track-propelled snow machines that carve through the snow. Last year we had to cancel some activities due to the snow, so instead of letting the same happen this year, we invested in these powerboards.”

She said they hoped to benefit from skiers who were unable to reach the slopes because of blocked roads.

Visitors will be given a safety briefing by an instructor and will wear safety gear when they use the machines.