Scottish ski area The Lecht has set up a crowd funding page suggesting that without public donations they may not be able to continue operating.
Scottish ski areas had another poor winter for snowfall and The Lecht was one of several that were only able to operate a small snow area that existed only thanks to a so-called "all-weather snowmaking" machine. This allowed it to operate a nursery slope and give beginner lessons. It reports it managed to deliver lessons to over 6,500 children this winter despite the limited terrain available.
The Lecht (pictured above on March 1st this year) is aiming to raise £35,000 by asking past visitors who have loved The Lecht to contribute the value of a day's lift pass as a donation so the centre can open for next winter 2024-25.
"As you know 2024 has been a tough winter season with little natural snow," The Lecht's Chairman Pieter du Pon wites on the crowdfunding page, continuing, "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."
There are four other commercial Scottish ski centres at Glenshee, Glencoe, Nevis Range and Cairngorm. Nevis range was hardly able to offer snowsports this winter and has largely transgressed to a year-round summer mountain destination, saying recently it will still offer snowsports whenever it can but hasn't made a profit from doing so for the past 15 seasons.
The Lecht's neighbouring ski centre, Cairngorm Mountain has received tens of millions of pounds of public money over the past five years tied to its failed funicular railway.
"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," Mr du Pon wrote, adding, "By purchasing just one more lift pass you will help secure the future of the Lecht."