The Nevis Range gondola on Aonach Mòr. Photo: Andy Gray
Skiers will be in action on Scotland’s mountains the day before the summer solstice.
Members of the Ski Club of Great Britain will be cleaning up the slopes at two resorts next week for the third year running as part of a campaign to spruce up the Nevis Range and CairnGorm Mountain resorts after a record-breaking winter season.
The club’s annual Big Spring Clean is taking place a month later than normal because the exceptional Highland snowfalls led to runs staying open into June for the first time in years.
Volunteers will clear litter from the slopes of Aonach Mòr and Cairn Gorm. Last year, 150 people collected 50 bags of rubbish, which included broken ski poles, a plastic sledge, a ski boot, hundreds of cigarette butts and a vintage chocolate wrapper dating from 1990, before the Marathon it contained was rebranded as Snickers.
An old Marthon wrapper was among rubbish collected last year
Caroline Stuart-Taylor, chief executive of the Ski Club, said: “We are delighted to be running the Big Spring Clean for the third year as part of our Respect the Mountain campaign.
“As well as bringing people to the mountains to do their bit and clear away rubbish left during the ski season, we hope the event can raise awareness about the how damaging dropping litter can be and encourage people to take their waste home with them.”
Marian Austin, managing director of Nevis Range added, “We welcome this Ski Club of Great Britain initiative to Nevis Range.
“It’s a great way to raise awareness about the damaging effect of litter on the environment. It fits closely with our environmental policy which encourages visitors from all walks of life to enjoy the mountain experience in both summer and winter while minimising the impact on the landscape.”
Volunteers are asked to meet on Sunday 20 June at 10am at the bottom of the gondola at Nevis Range or the ranger base at Coire Cas on CairnGorm Mountain. Gloves and bags are provided for all litter pickers and for everyone who brings back a bag of litter, tea and cakes will be provided.
