Scottish Ski Resort Threatened With Closure
1st May 2024
Last modified on May 11th, 2024
The Lecht ski area says it may be forced to shut down due to a lack of money. It has launched a crowd-funding initiative to continue operating and has raised 41% of its target. UPDATED
It was a ‘dire’ winter for the Lecht in Aberdeenshire, with very little natural snow.
Since it opened in 1977 the Lecht has been able to manage snowsport activities in good and bad seasons, but this season was especially difficult.
“We’d like to be able to continue for many years to come but we need to ask for your support to do this,” said the chairman, Pieter du Pon.
“As you know 2024 has been a tough winter season with little natural snow.
“During the winter season of 2021 we saw some of the best snow we have had for a long time, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic we were forced to stay closed.
“Each season is different, so we are very disappointed for both our customers, their families as well as us, that we could not enjoy a lot of snow this winter and offer the winter experience you deserve,” he added.
The resort aims to raise £35,000 so it can continue to operate.
On Wednesday May 1st shorlty after the campaign was launched it had raised more than £6,000.
On Monday May 6th it had raised £11,674 – 33% of the way towards its target.
By Saturday May 11th the total had grown to £14,467 – 41% of the target.
You can donate here.
The Lecht, Scotland. Image © PlanetSKI
The Lecht is one of five ski resorts in Scotland.
PlanetSKI tried to ski there this winter but conditions were poor.
The Lecht, Scotland. Image c/o Simon Wilson.
We did manage to ski at other Scottish ski areas:
The resort of Glenshee said that this year has been better than last winter, but the resort had to rely heavily on man-made snow.
Glenshee, Scotland. Image c/o Dianne Frazer
“We do not want to be forced to shut down the centre and so I would like to ask if you could help by just buying one lift pass, or more, as a donation, so we can continue into 2025,” added Pieter du Pon.
“By purchasing just one more lift pass you will help secure the future of the Lecht.”
More than £6,000 has been donated towards the £35,000 target on the fundraising page.
You can donate here.
It comes as problems at another Scottish ski area, Cairngorm, continue with further delays to the repair of the main funicular lift.
We reported on the latest last month:
Image supplied by Cairngorm Mountain
