The busiest weekend of the season
Last weekend was the busiest of the season and we are now up to 60,000 skier days. Probably the first time ever that the busiest weekend has been so late in the season. Normally the busiest weekend of any season is the first weekend that we have good snow cover – early snow is always very popular – and this often means we are still gearing up the winter team so inevitably there are teething issues. By this time of year most aspects run smoothly, but we have had to recruit additional team members to fill the gaps of those committed to other summer jobs. Today we even started two new lift operators – and last week my daughter joined the team as a lift operator for four days!
Our marketing/PR team have been putting in a lot of effort to maximise the PR impact of the great conditions we have been experiencing. We really did get a lot of coverage for Scottish skiing including national TV and radio, the front page of national papers and a lot of regional coverage. This will create more confidence in the Scottish ski market for next season.- which has to be agood thing for the industry, our local community and Scottish skiers generally.
The weather is now on the change and I can already hear the wind blowing outside - but the forecast is for it to revert to colder conditions next week and we still expect to keep a base in the main gullies for a while yet. We plan to change to summer hours next Monday – opening from 10am with a reduced day pass price and I am still hopeful there will be a few good skiing days to come.
In recent years there has been quite a lot of doom and gloom about the impact of climate change on Scottish skiing, yet even the most pessimistic of predictions still suggest we will get snow in the Scottish mountains in the next few years and what we have just experienced only helps to confirm this.
At the recent Fifth World Conference of Snow and Mountain Tourism held in March this year Peter Keller, Director of the Lausanne University Institute of Tourism and Director of Switzerland Tourism Services, summarised the most important conclusions of the Conference. He affirmed that global warming was first recorded in 1955 and that it is caused principally by daily human habits. “This century, we await a 1º C -4º C increase in temperature. Following the 100-day rule, the current total of 609 ski resorts that exist today will drop to 500 by the year 2020, to 404 in 2050, and to 202 resorts by the end of century, all of which will be in Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy”, reported Keller. For those remaining resorts, the greenhouse effect will have to be stabilised by 2050. Gas emissions must be reduced and new renewable energy technologies encouraged. Keller concluded that climate change is a process that has been developing for some time, adding that companies and their objectives must therefore adapt to its requirements and consequences.
What does this mean for Cairn Gorm ? Quite simply – we are still in the snow business, but we need to continue our strategy of developing a business model that can take advantage of the snow when we get it, but does not rely totally on snow when it is not here. We do have a responsibility to ensure our activities on the mountain are sustainable so as to allow future generations to enjoy what we have; this means we do need to take on our global responsibilities in terms of emissions…yes, its challenge…but that’s life!
Bob
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Many eminent climatologists dispute the current ‘doom and gloom’ theories regarding the rate of climate change and there is some support for an estimated increase in temperature of 1.5 to 2.0 deg C by the end of this century. The effect this increase may have on Scotland is even more unsure.
Therefore it would be sheer folly for a company whose main core business remains a ski resort to use global warming as an excuse to divert investment away from snowsports into peripheral activities.
Presumably Herr Keller assumes that ski resorts will not exist in Norway, Sweden, Canada and dare I suggest Scotland
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I TEND TO BELIEVE JEREMY CLARKSON, THESE CLIMATOLOGISTS ARE JUST SO FAR UP THE LECTURE CICUIT, LUCRATIVE, THAT THEY HAVE MISSED THE RUSIAN OBSERVATION THAT HE POLAR ICESHEET IS GROWING BUT IN A DIFFERANT AREA!
IT HAS BEEN THE MOST SEVERE WINTER IN USA /CAN /RUSS FOR YEARS.
THANK GOD WE ARE AT THE SAME LATITUDE ,ARCTIC..
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
Can I just congratulate the PR/Marketing department at Cairngorm. I’ve give you guys a lot of criticism in the last year or two for not doing enoguh to promote snowsports in Scotland and instead focusing on becoming the Eden project of the North. THis week however I have seen articles in The Times, The Telegraph, The Sunday Herald and even on Radio 2. Hats off to you guys for such a great response. Even the Scotsman had time to mention Scottish skiing without the whole article being about climate change and how Scotland doesn’t get snow anymore.
Congratulations and I hope that Skiing and Snowboarding continues well into May (and June, would love a midsummer ski!)
Chris
April 24th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Having studied climate change extensively at university, I would suggest that our understanding of how it will affect Scotland is vague at best. Unfortunately, organisations like the WWF like to scare people into thinking that any extreme event that occurs these days is due to CC- no its not!
Anyway, in terms of the effects on skiing in Scotland, it is about so much more than simply average temperatures. The synoptic patterns that occur each year are crucial in determining how much snow will fall and remain on the slopes. This year, January and March have seen more returning polar and polar maritime airmasses which have delivered large quantities of snow. An easterly polar continental front also delivered significant snow in January. February was the only month that offered extended periods of tropical maritime air. I think past seasons have seen far less systems coming from a northerly quarter than this year, thus giving poorer snow cover. Considering that the difference in temperature (including lapse rate) between the favourably and unfavourable synoptic patterns can be up to 12 degrees, I think it is fair to say this is far more relevant than 2 degrees over 50 years. Indeed, the WWF have been heard saying that this winter was in fact 2 degrees above average, with the wettest March on record….giving a very snowy outlook for scottish skiing!
The slowing of the gulf stream, and associated effects on synoptic patterns, must be considered the most important aspect of climatic change for snowsports in Scotland.
With respect to worldwide skiing, I cannot possibly envisage resorts in North America, South America and Scandinavia being at that great a risk from climate change. If anything, the moistening climate will increase the snowfall on less cold temperatures. Resorts in Norway experienced record breaking snowfall this winter, in addition to above average temperatures, resulting in an excellent season.
To summarise my rant, I think climate change is used by the very highest levels of government to push through and justify climate related policies, when in fact the science is not always this clear cut. With respect to skiing and Cairngorm, this may be the case to an extent. However, we have to remember that our climate (without any change) is fickle anyway and a diversification strategy is the most sensible business model to pursue. Ideas such as snowmaking would definitely be eligible for “climate change” funding so this may be a potential avenue to explore.
Congratulations on the skier days total and marketing/PR achievements.
Andy
April 24th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
thanks Andy very useful contribution to the debate
bob
April 24th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Bob:
I’m glad to see that you have brought climate change into the public arena in the context of an appropriate strategy for the future of CairnGorm Mountain.
I agree with Andy’s final comment that a diverse business model is the most responsible one - the one that will best deliver CairnGorm Mountain’s commitments to it’s complex and often opposed stakeholders.
This is, essentially, the ‘precautionary principle’ applied to strategy at CairnGorm. It doesn’t matter if climate change is real or not - the statistics clearly show that snow sports are increasingly less viable in Scotland and depending on them as core income is simply financial suicide.
As a point of interest, ski resorts throughout Scandinavia and North and South America (as well as in Europe) are investing tens of millions of dollars on diversification projects in anticipation of climate change’s effects on the patterns and extent of snow cover. Andy’s imagination is nothing in the shadow of robust and accepted scientific fact and this is where my own point of view differs with Andy’s.
Short-term fluctuations in seasonal snow fall are irrelevant indicators in comparison to generalised long-term data and the notion offered by kk that climate change is not happening at all is not only scientifically incorrect but also fatally dangerous, irresponsible and immoral.
It is happening and it’s devastating the habitats of millions of species throughout the planet, including - of course - our own. The initial and primary effect being on those in materially poor countries, which is why the ‘denial’ argument is immoral.
It would be interesting to hear the perspectives of local ecologists, estate workers and those who derive their livelihood from the land in the Cairngorms - we all know about climate change here… it’s very real indeed and we are experiencing it everyday, whatever the science.
Dave
April 25th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Andy wrote
The synoptic patterns that occur each year are crucial in determining how much snow will fall and remain on the slopes.”
Couldnt agree more Andy. And the reason this has happened is simple. For the first time for ages, the jet stream this winter has remained far to the south, thus keeping the warm air there also.
I have been over skiing in western Canada,and the better than usual conditions over there are down to precisely similar reasons.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
The increased number of skier-days is encouraging from every angle. Recent success in getting Cairngorm into media coverage was very noticeable, and it promoted domestic snowsports into the public eye to some degree. - This has to be commended, and especially the interview on Chris Evans Show, confirmed what a good face for radio Bob has!
Glenshee proved the value of Radio & TV in January, when cameras went up to cover the good early snow. - As mentioned in the Blog, it was an overwhelming surge of customers to enjoy the first good snows. - Keeping the momentum certainly is a challenge, and the good numbers at Cairngorm in March/April must be the result of a beneficial combination of snow+marcomms.
I still believe the media, the Press in particular, are not on-side with Scottish Snowsports, and that is a relationship which I hope receives continued effort this summer. - Part of the problem is that the media fail to distinguish between Global Warming generally and it’s Local Impact. They need to be briefed that it is not an act of “denial” to report locally good conditions for snowsports in Scotland, against a backdrop of Global Trends. - To some degree it’s been a victory to get 60,000 skier-days in the face of some criminally prejudiced & inaccurate press coverage this season.
Diversification.? - Well, agriculture in the UK faces similar challenges. The trick is to expand new & diverse revenue streams…without forsaking the market that got you onto the mountain in the first place. - It’s not easy, and there will always be a need to reassure the snowsports patrons that they remain central to the business, and that future investments don’t neglect snowsports infrastructure & services, while chasing other year-round revenue.
Been a good season. Many happy days of sport, and hopefully the increased trade will create a little momentum for the business at Cairngorm. - While we’re feeling positive, what about trying a little snowmaking next year, around the approaches to the Cas/M1 loading stations? - Fortunately the snow has held on at these lower sections this year, but previously it was erosion of these sections which prevented otherwise good runs opening.
Henry.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I know this is of topic, but I have a few points I would like to make about cairngorm. I was up Skiing last Saturday and it was great, but I found some things inconveniant:
Firstly, when going down the coire na ciste gully run you have to turn off at the bottom and ski across the slope for a considerable distance to get to the west wall poma, which is not enjoyable at all. Would it be possible to do what is on the upper traverse and put in a snow fence to collect sufficient snow to give a good angle to ski on. I think a fenced run back to the west wall poma would collect enough snow to keep the tow in operation for longer and the run more enjoyable.
Secondly, I know you are short of money, but the White Lady was sorely missed on the busy days this year. It puts a lot of pressure on the M1 when not working and is more conveniant for access to the White lady run itself. However it is my view that it needs replaced with a fast poma, which would be less damage-prone. It also occured to me that the Fiacall tow could have opened up a lot of terrain and taken the pressure of the Coire Cas on Suday, but I suppose the machinery is now a lost cause.
Lastly, a very simple suggestion, on busy days could you put more tables in the cafeteria by perhaps pushing more together, nothing is more annoying than gettting your food and being unable to find a place to eat it.
Other than that, my several visits to Cairngorm this year have been very enjoyable and hopefully the industry will be in better shape after a succsessful season.
October 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Heya, just searched by. Love that msn, fine site. All the best.