A SKI centre has pushed back its winter season until next year due to the effects of climate change, stating its decision isn’t about “cutting back” but about fighting for “survival”.
Nevis Range, near Fort William, has the UK's only mountain gondola and historically offers snow sports running from December to April every year.
However, the snow firm announced on Wednesday that due to “dramatic shifts” in winter weather patterns and damaging storms, it has had to take the “necessary” steps to adapt its seasonal programme.
It said it was delaying the start of its winter season until February 2025.
In a post on social media, a spokesperson for Nevis Range said over the past couple of years it had only managed to open for one or two days of skiing in January.
READ MORE: Major surge in US Google searches for 'how to move to Scotland' after Trump win
The post added: “Our team is as passionate as ever about skiing, but climate change is a reality that's forced us to rethink our winter operations.”
Nevis Range said delaying the season would allow it to carry out maintenance and conserve resources until further into next year.
The post went on to say the ski destination would open before February if snow conditions were “exceptional”.
“We’ll do everything we can to open early – but realistically, this delayed start is the best approach given the winter weather we’ve come to expect,” a spokesperson added.
Locals have been skiing on the mountain since the 1930s with the Nevis Range opening 35 years ago.
Nevis Range slopes are more than halfway up Britain's eighth-highest mountain, 1221m (4006ft) Aonach Mòr.
The post went on to say: “The hard reality is that we can’t sustain the ski season as we once did.”
Nevis Range’s spokesperson also said: “These changes aren't about cutting back – they're about survival.”
The statement also confirmed that the ski firm aims to build a large dry slope so people would be able to ski all year round.
“This isn’t just an idea – it’s an ambition we’re already working toward with potential investors,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re determined to create a future where skiing at Nevis Range remains accessible, but in a way that reflects the reality of our climate.”
There have been other warnings of the impact of climate change on Scotland's winter this year.
The Sphinx, a patch of snow believed to be the longest-lasting in the UK, located on Braeriach in the Cairngorms, melted for the fourth consecutive year last month.
Until 100 years ago, it had been considered a permanent feature of Scotland's mountain range.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel