Cairngorm Funicular Reopening Today
Cairngorm Funicular Reopening Today
Published : 27-Feb-2025 08:10
The troubled funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain resort is set to return to service from 9am today after its latest closure of nearly two years. In fact it has operated for only 7 months in the past six years.
Scotland's only funicular railway has been out of action since August 2023, while an extensive programme of remediation works has been carried out, led by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of the public body Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) which controls the ski area.
They had hoped the funicular would be ready at the start of the season a few months ago, but final testing and concluding other safety-critical matters appears to have taken longer than hoped.
However there have been few periods this winter so far when here has been enough snow on Cairngorm for the funicular, which provides the only lift-access to the ski area's upper slopes and full vertical, would have been a help.
Until the funicular opened snow cover was inadequate for skiing other than in a small area at the base of the slope used for beginners and maintained with a TechnoAlpin all-weather snowmaking machine. However Cairngorm did report on Thursday afternoon that the Ptarmigan tow had opened at the top, accessed by the funicular.
"Nice, soft, granular snow on the upper runs. The team have been busy pushing snow out, with a good run down the Ptarmigan fence line to the Top Station and a direct line through the bowl. Some good snowsports available at the top of the mountain, with easy access to the top on the Funicular," a centre spokesperson said.
Tim Hurst, Interim CEO of the ski area's operators, said: "The Cairngorm Mountain team are overjoyed to be welcoming customers onto the funicular railway once more. Following confirmation from our parent company Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the railway will now be handed over to us to operate once more. "We recognise how critical the railway is, not only to our entire team here, but to all our customers and to the many businesses in the local, and regional area. We would like to thank all our visitors for their patience whilst remediation took place."
The 2km funicular railway will again run a regular service throughout the day, seven days a week, taking snowsports enthusiasts and sightseers from the base station to the Ptarmigan building at the top of the slopes in around 5 minutes.
It's unknown whether this will mark the end of nearly six-years of controversy for the funicular which was originally taken out of service due to "health and safety concerns" and "structural problems" according to reports in summer 2019. It reopened on 26 January 2023 but closed again seven months later on 25 August 2023, on fresh safety grounds.
With other lifts to the top of the ski slopes removed, when snow cover was adequate on the mountain experienced skiers had the option over the past few seasons of taking surface lifts, then a mid-mountain 15 minute hike carrying their skis to further drag lifts to access upper runs and the full vertical.
In addition to the structural works, the two funicular carriages have also had new undercarriage assemblies fitted by specialist Swiss company Garaventa, which also carried out routine inspection and maintenance on the trains earlier this month.
David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects with HIE, said: "Clearly, it has taken longer than we had hoped to get to this position, but the return of the funicular is a watershed moment for Cairngorm Mountain and its many loyal visitors. Cairngorm Mountain plays an important role as a prime Scottish visitor attraction and a driver of economic activity at the heart of the local community. With the return of the funicular, people across a huge range of ages and abilities will again be able to experience this wonderful mountain environment not only in winter, but every season."
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