Rural and Environment

Extra £4 million for snowsports

March 14, 2021 by Rebecca Macdonald No Comments | Category Tourism, Uncategorized

Additional funding of up to £4 million will support Scotland’s snowsports centres and ski schools though the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

The sector has been forced to close due to Level 4 restrictions to suppress the spread of COVID-19. This support comes on top of a £3 million funding package announced in January for snowsports centres.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Snowsports are critical to Scotland’s rural economy, worth an estimated £30 million and providing over 600 jobs in some of our most remote areas.

“Since the beginning of the year we’ve now pledged a total of £7 million to support Scotland’s snowsports sector. This funding will protect these businesses who are currently losing vast amounts of income due to be being closed as part of the measures taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. All of this is especially difficult given the mountain resorts have seen some of the best conditions in years so it is key that we inject financial support to make sure these centres are kept from financial ruin and ready to welcome back visitors when the time is right.”

Background

Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise will proactively contact eligible snowsport centres and ski schools to apply for funding.

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