Midlothian Snowsports Centre

The Midlothian Snowsports Centre, formerly the Hillend Ski Centre, is the second longest dry ski slope in Europe, situated near Hillend near Edinburgh, South East Scotland.[1] It is a national training centre for Scottish Olympians, with 29 having been trained there as of 2010, including Finlay Mickel, a former British number one downhill skier.[1]

Midlothian Snow Sports Centre, Hillend
Midlothian Snow Sports Centre
Former namesHillend Ski Centre
AddressBiggar Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DU
LocationHillend, Midlothian, Scotland
Coordinates55°53′14.36″N 3°12′40.42″W
OwnerMidlothian Council
TypeDry ski-slope and snowsports centre
Construction
Opened1960s
Renovated2008
Website
http://ski.midlothian.gov.uk/
Downhill view, with Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat in the distance

Being just outside the Edinburgh City limits to the south of the city beyond the southern bypass road and in the shadow of the Pentland Hills, the centre is operated by Midlothian Council.[1] It is used for skiing, snowboarding and snowblading, and social use includes lessons for adults and children occurring all year round.

An outdoor facility, all runs are made of matting that is suitable for use all year round, and floodlighting allows the slopes to be used in the evenings. A misting system ensures the slopes remain lubricated to increase speed and to create a more realistic surface.

It has two main slopes, both of which are accessed from the top of the long tow and chairlift. It also houses a 20m nursery slope next to the café 360, two combined 20m nursery slopes positioned next to a premium tubing set-up which both include magic carpet style uplifts, and also a jump slope. Uplift to the main slopes is provided by a chairlift and two button lifts.

History

In October 1966, plans were announced to use the artificial ski slope at Hillend for a scheme to select candidates for ski instructor courses.[2]

In 2010, the centre faced closure due operating at a loss and with Midlothian Council facing funding shortages.[1] In March 2010, with losses of half a million pounds a year, and with fewer than 20% of the centre's users coming from Midlothian, a five-month cost-cutting plan was implemented, with the council due to consider either sale or lease by August 2010.[3] A Facebook group campaigning to save the centre attracted 26,000 members.[3] The council duly agreed a plan to keep the centre open, involving £600,000 of investment being spent on it by Sportscotland, and the sale of green belt land near the site to developers.[4]

In 2019, Midlothian Council applied for planning permission to extend use of the site, hoping to add leisure facilities such as a zipline, alpine coaster and soft play, as well as tourist accommodation, retail and restaurants.[5], this work has since begun as of 2023[6]

References
  1. "Olympic effort to save Midlothian ski slope". BBC News. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  2. "Courses for Scottish Ski Instructors". The Herald. Glasgow. 29 October 1966. p. 14. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  3. "Cost-cutting plans for ski slope". BBC News. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  4. "Deal to save Hillend dry ski slope backed". BBC News. 27 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  5. Sharp, Marie. "Hillend Destination resort plans now available to view". Midlothian Advertiser. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  6. "Work begins on site for Destination Hillend". Midlothian Council. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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