As the new year begins, it is a time of reflection for Aberdeen Snowsports Centre. 2008 was the first calendar year that the slope had been run by a leisure trust rather than Aberdeen City Council, a move that was hoped to have secured the future of the facility and help to turn around its fortunes. Looking back, has this been achieved?

Garthdee Sports and Alpine Adventure Park, as it was then known, opened in October 2004 and expectations were immediately high. With two new Snowflex slopes added to the existing Dendix run, the centre was forecast to at least break even in its first year, though most predicted a profit. However, besides beginner and intermediate lessons, there were no other products in place to generate returning business. The lack of any progression program to inspire and motivate meant that public sessions were regularly deserted. Problems with slope maintenance escalated, resulting in an extended period where the button lift on the freestyle slope was unserviceable. Marketing for the slope had all but ground to a halt, and the crowds stayed away. The last straw came when a supposed one-month maintenance closedown in September 2006 dragged on into the new year, and it wasn’t until April 2007 that the two main slopes were up and running again.

It was then that management of the slope was handed over to Garthdee Alpine Sports, a leisure trust charged with getting the troubled facility back on track. Theirs was the monumental task of restoring the rebranded Aberdeen Snowsports Centre’s reputation, with an end to making the slope financially sustainable. Dave Jacobs, the slope’s new general manager, admits it was a big job to take on

The centre had numerous design and set-up faults which had to be changed in order for it to operate as a snowsports centre should. A new program of activities had to be put in place which met the customers’ expectations and, above all, the negative image of the facility had to be turned around. Yes, it was a big task, but luckily we have an experienced team and a hard core of local skiers and riders to get us there.

Every single employee has an interest in snowsports, and therefore everyone is passionate about the job”, he says. “From how we meet and greet customers at the front door to booking and delivering lessons, the impact of the new approach has been hugely successful. The managers have given each member of staff objectives in their specific field, leading to constant new ideas and improvements throughout the centre.

The changes are fantastic. The whole team, from instructors to booking staff and casual workers, are a motivated crew and it has become a brilliant place to work. As a result, it’s also a great place to ride!