Cairngorm Mountain gearing up for a return to 'normality' after recent tough years
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Cairngorm Mountain is gearing up for the return of the funicular this winter by recruiting potentially nearly 90 winter staff.
Normal business is set to resume this ski season for the first time since 2017/18 all being well after the mountain railway ceased operating in autumn 2018 because of safety concerns over the integrity of the track viaduct.
The business was also then hit by the Covid pandemic.
The funicular is expected to start running again early next year although no firm date has been given – and with it the new-look Ptarmigan station will reopen its doors following a major refurbishment and the creation of a new exhibition.
Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd chief Susan Smith said they started their recruitment drive earlier this week with more staff expected to be taken on than latterly.
“There are 26 permanent positions with roles ranging from janitors, front of house and retail staff to chefs and funicular drivers,” she said. “We know we are in a competitive market for staff so we will be offering competitive salaries along with really good benefits.”
In addition, the resort expects to recruit between 40 to 60 seasonal workers although, of course, this very much depends on snow conditions.”
Ms Smith continued: “We have been inundated with applications for the winter seasonal roles with people from all over the world including Australia, Japan, who want to come here to work.”
A provision start for the snowsports season has been set for December 21 and will run until the end of the Easter holidays 2023 but as ever both depend on the slope conditions.
New mountain bike trails – yet to take shape – are due to open to visitors there-after. They will be served by two magic carpets currently being installed on the lower slopes of the resort.
CMSL has been working with Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBS) on the plans since the Cairngorms National Park Authority granted planning consent for the purpose-built trails in May.
Tracks will suit beginners and intermediate riders.
The new facility will enhance Cairngorm’s year-round offering and will be the first plank of the 25 year masterplan to be implemented to revive the resort’s fortunes after a difficult past decade.
