The Nevis Range gondola on Aonach Mòr. Photo: Andy Gray
Visitors to a winter-activity centre in the Highlands will be able to reach new heights this summer.
The Nevis Range resort on Aonach Mòr is a major draw for winter mountaineers, its gondola system allowing climbers and walkers quick access to the mountain’s many routes. Now, the ski resort’s managers are to build a high ropes course in the forest at the foot of the lower slopes to extend its appeal outside the main winter season.
Aonach Mòr already has a renowned mountain biking course which hosted the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, and set up a red-grade mountain biking cross-country course.
The exceptional winter has seen skiing numbers boosted to their best levels since 2001, and the development of the ropes course – including both high and low levels – is an attempt to widen the appeal and attract more families.
The £250,000 project has received £77,000-worth of cash from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The family course, with two different routes at 1m and 4m will have swing tyres, a postman’s walk, a zip wire and an Indiana bridge – a horizontal rope ladder.
It will be located in the corner of the existing car park.
The woodland course will lead through the Leanachan Forest’s 30m (100ft) tall spruce trees at a height of 10m, with a balance beam, swinging platforms, a trapeze and 100m zip wire. A green, blue, red and black grading system will operate.
Marian Austin, managing director of Nevis Range, said: ‘This new ropes activity is an integral part of our plan to grow and diversify the business. Since opening in 1989 as a ski area and all year round visitor attraction, we have diversified into mountain biking, which led to us becoming the venue for a round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
“And the success of the World Cup has resulted in the Motorcycle Trial World Championships coming in June this year. Last year we also launched the Nevis Bike School and built a new red graded mountain bike cross country trail, the only one in the UK accessed by gondola.
“The ropes course has been in planning for several years now and it’s taken us all that time to secure the funding, planning and leases, as well as carry out the research and feasibility studies needed before we could start.
“As a business we cannot stand still, we’ve got to keep listening to our customers, and innovate and diversify. As a business located in the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ we are continually working to provide outstanding outdoor experiences for our visitors.”
Aonach Mòr draws thousands of winter mountaineers each year
Heather Negus, marketing manager, said: “Each year, about 200,000 visitors visit Nevis Range, and these include skiers and snowboarders, mountain bikers and groups of families and friends. The new high ropes courses will appeal to a large number of these existing customers seeking a bit of adventure and also help us attract new customers to Nevis Range as well as to Fort William.”
The mountain also sees thousands of winter climbers and walkers use the gondola as a quick route to the snow and ice of the upper reaches of the peak, saving valuable walk-in hours during the short daytimes.
Alison Gainsford, head of business growth at HIE’s Fort William area office, added: “Highlands and Islands Enterprise has firmly supported Nevis Range’s aims to develop and grow for many years and the new Ropes Course is a welcome addition to what is already a world class attraction.”
The facility is planned to open in June this year to coincide with the Mountain Bike World Cup event.
