In 2023, EKOS was commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the economic, cultural and social value of the Scottish Snowsports sector. The research aims were also to understand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the snowsports sector, consider the long-term sustainability of the snowsports sector in Scotland and recommend how the sector may be strengthened.
The research involved: 38 stakeholder consultations, visitor surveys (1,530 responses), an online club survey (10 responses), and engagement with businesses located near the mountain resorts (12 online survey responses and 10 businesses involved in a group discussion).
There are five mountain centres in Scotland: Cairngorm Mountain; Glencoe; Glenshee; Lecht 2090; and Nevis Range. The five mountain centres are important assets to Scotland’s rural economy. They also contribute to a strong sense of place, and to the unique culture and heritage of the local communities within which they are firmly rooted. There are 14 artificial slope facilities located across urban and rural communities in Scotland. The artificial slopes continue to play a crucial in helping people, in particular children and young people, to grow in confidence, skill, and ability. They are an important gateway into snowsports.
Recommendations centred around:
- Diversification – investment in infrastructure to make all-year round access possible and introduce new and varied activities
- Access and participation – encouraging the next generation of snowsports participants through programmes of activities as well as improved public transport connections
- Collaboration – to develop a shared vision for the future of the snowsports sector
- Staffing – particularly around support smaller, privately-owned organisations with succession planning and longer-term sustainability
- Improvement – supporting the shift towards low carbon/ renewable energy sources
The full report can be accessed here.
The visual summary can be accessed here.