SNOWSPORT enthusiasts in gaudy 80s ski gear turned back the clock at a Scottish mountain resort yesterday to celebrate its 30th birthday.
To mark the occasion, prices at Nevis Range were the same as they were in 1989 when the resort first opened. Hundreds of locals and visitors took advantage of the offer, which meant a Gondola Day Ticket was just £3.50 and a Full Day Snowsports Ticket was £12.50.
There was also a competition for the best dressed person wearing ski kit and/or apres skiwear from 1989, with a prize of a 10-year snowsports season pass for Nevis Range.
The celebrations continued all evening with a full programme of free entertainment including Celtic fire dancers PyroCeltica, who pioneer a fusion of flames, circus, music, dance and theatre.
Nevis Range laid on a free shuttle bus service from Fort William and Corpach to transport party goers to and from the venue. The first 50 people to arrive at Nevis Range for the evening’s party received a special Nevis Range give away.
Speakers last night included Nevis Range founders, Ian Sykes (Spike) and Ian Sutherland (Suds) who were key in driving the original Nevis Range concept forward. They spoke about the hard work and innovation that was necessary to secure the venue’s future as a renowned outdoor activities centre.
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Although skiers have used the mountain since the 1930s, they had to hike up the mountain first before skiing on unmarked routes. However in the late 80s Sykes and Sutherland, along with a group of close friends in the community, rallied local businesses into action to raise a million pounds in less than a month in order to make their dream of a snowsports centre a reality.
Constructed on Aonach Mor mountain, Nevis Range is one of Scotland’s five snowsport centres. This year has seen the site’s operators invest at least a further £1 million in its infrastructure, including snow-making equipment to guarantee skiing and snowboarding on some runs when there is not enough natural snow cover.
This year a fresh snow forecast for the Highlands promises a better start to the ski season after poor weather in recent years saw profits tumble.
Chris O’Brien, CEO of Nevis Range, said: “To be celebrating 30 years of the Nevis Range Mountain Experience is an incredible feeling, especially considering that this anniversary comes at such an exciting time.”
As well as snowsports in the winter, Nevis Range is popular with mountain bikers and has hosted the annual UCI Mountain Bike World Cup since 2002. Organisers Mike Jardine and Lesley Beck from Rare Management gave a talk about the early days of mountain biking at Nevis Range and the development of the venue’s now legendary downhill track.
They focused on the multi-award-winning success of the British round of the competitions while giving a sneak preview of plans for the forthcoming Mountain Bike World Championships in 2023.
The talks were followed by a ceilidh with A’hooligan and The Gary Innes Band. Mad-trad group A’hooligan have been a favourite at Nevis Range ceilidhs for years and it was a particularly special night for award-winning accordionist and founding member of super-group Manran, Gary Innes, who was born and raised in Spean Bridge and was a Nevis Range “lifty” – or lift operator – in his teenage years.
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