Scotland’s ski centres have suffered one of their worst seasons – with operators today warning that “millions of pounds” have been lost to the economy from a lack of snow.
Hundreds of seasonal jobs have also fallen victim to the warm winter.
Glenshee in Aberdeenshire has been open for just 15 days this season – compared to 60 at the same point last year, and 69 in the winter of 2014/15.
Director Stewart Davidson, who has been at Glenshee for 28 years, said that this season was “among the worst” the Scottish snow sports industry has experienced.
“We haven’t had to lay off any permanent staff, but we have not taken on 60-80 seasonal staff. This season has been a non-event – it’s so frustrating, but what can you do? We are in the hands of the weather. It really never got started and when you get into April people are doing other things even if you have snow,” said Mr Davidson.
“Overall millions have been lost to the rural economy this year. The industry is strong enough to ride out one poor season – we have had some good recent years – but we would not want another one.”
At Glencoe, spokesperson Mariann Chisholm said it had only been open for skiing and boarding on 23 days so far – less than a third compared to previous years.
“It has been dire,” she said.”We have been open 61 years and this year must be up there with the worst. We have not taken on staff and everywhere, local businesses etc, is decimated by it.”
At the Lecht in Aberdeenshire a spokeswoman said: “It’s up there as among the worst and I don’t think there’s much snow coming.”
The operator of the CairnGorm Mountain snowsports centre, near Aviemore, has started consulting staff on potential job losses at the site.
The ski centre and its funicular railway are owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Natural Retreats began a 25-year lease in June 2014.
It said the latest ski season has been “challenging” and “poor” and this had affected revenue.
Janette Jansson, of Natural Retreat’s CairnGorm Mountain Ltd, said: “This current winter season has been challenging especially two of the key trading months, January and February, which includes the half-term holidays.
“Since the start of the year we have opened for snow sports on 24 days with limited terrain and uplift available.
“The poor season has had a huge impact on our winter revenue, which is crucial to sustain the operation during the summer months.”
Nevis Range in Lochaber has managed to get a number of runs open recently but today reported thawing conditions.
