Scotland’s economy is set for its biggest boost from winter sports in years, with thousands of visitors flocking to ski centres.
December snowfall brought some areas to a standstill but has proved a godsend for the often-troubled snow sports industry.
Nearly 15,000 skiers and snow-boarders hit the slopes over the New Year weekend and bosses at the Glenshee Ski Centre are celebrating what they’ve described as the best start to a season in decades.
Last year’s bumper season is estimated to have contributed £38 million to the nation’s economy but there are already signs that 2010/11 could prove to be a record breaker.
All five mountain ski areasCairngorm, Glenshee, the Nevis Range, The Lecht and Glencoeare open for business and encouraging visitors from across the UK and overseas to take advantage of the wintry weather.
And it’s not just ski centres that are celebrating as suppliers of outdoor clothing and winter sports equipment have also experienced “unprecedented” sales as people hit the slopes.
Stores such as Craigdon Mountain Sports in Perth have seen items flying off the shelves as continued good snow convinces people to return to the sport in droves.
Glencoe opened before Christmas for the first time in 10 years, while Glenshee’s season started a full month ahead of 2009itself a hugely successful season.
Around 2500 people have been visiting Glenshee each day during the festive period, delighting centre bosses who are confident the visitor numbers will stay strong.
More than 1000 visited the centre on New Year’s Day and 1500 the following day, while Monday’s figures were reaching towards 3000.
Those figures are only a little ahead of 2009 but it’s the extra month in operation that will make the real difference in the long run.
It’s a far cry from the years before 2009, when many ski centres had gone years without seeing visitors on the slopes during December, and that has been a cause for great celebration at Holyrood.
The Scottish Government was moved to express its delight at the early start to the season and the economic benefits that are likely to follow.
Sports minister Shona Robison said it was “fantastic” to see so many people enjoying the winter sporting opportunities available on “some of the world’s most beautiful hills and mountains.”
“This year’s winter sports season has got off to a terrific early start and is already shaping up to be a record-breaker,” she said.
“All five centres have opened early this year and have recorded a phenomenal 77,000 skier days since the end of Novembera considerable increase on this time last year.”
‘Really positive vibe’Ms Robison added, “This builds on the growth we saw during last year’s bumper ski season, which was the best we had seen for 14 years.
“In the New Year holiday weekend alone, Scotland’s ski areas welcomed nearly 15,000 skiers and snow-boarderswhich brought obvious economic benefits for our ski centres and the wider local economies.”
VisitScotland’s chief executive Malcolm Roughead said the weather had brought a fantastic boost to the winter sports season.
“We’re getting great feedback both from Scotland’s ski centres and surrounding local businesses,” he said.
“Snowsports are important for the wider tourism industry, as for every one pound spent on the slopes, a further four pounds is spent with local businesses.”
Craigdon in Perth will soon be in dire need of a delivery if demand continues.
“The early start to the season has had a massive impact upon our sales,” store manager Karla Mason said. “It’s been quite unprecedented.
“On the back of last year and December’s snow, there seems to be a really positive vibe around skiing once again.
“Many people will remember times from their childhood when there was plenty of snow every season and many of those people seem to be taking the chance to get back into the pastime.
“We had to predict how much stock we’d need and ordered quite a lot on the back of 2009 but we’re already starting to run out.
“It’s been a little mad, to be honest, and it was that way even before the snow started to fall.”
Meanwhile, troubled outdoor retailer Blacks Leisurewhich owns the Blacks and Millets brandsyesterday said the weather conditions had boosted its turnaround plans, with consumers snapping up jackets, scarves and hats.
The cold snap helped increase like-for-like sales in its outdoor business by 10.2% during December, despite a strong set of comparative figures the previous year.
The Scottish Government has also issued advice to anyone heading out to ski centres this winter. The advice includes checking the weather forecast before leaving and warns that conditions can change quickly.
Localised forecasts are available on the Mountain Weather Information Service and the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service via the Mountaineering Council Of Scotland website.
People are also urged to know their limits and warned not to tackle anything that is too ambitious.