Watch as Winter Olympics star tests the new fun slope at Hillend snow sports centre
It’s time to grab your skis and snowboards and head to Hillend in Midlothian for some thrills and spills.
The new ‘funslope’ at Midlothian Snowsports Centre is the first attraction to open as part of the council’s Destination Hillend project to form a multi-activity leisure facility.
Scottish and GB Park and Pipe riders including former Olympian Murray Buchan and Harris Booth, were given a sneak preview of what enthusiasts can expect.
Murray said with three different types of pitches, jumps and other features, the slope would appeal to everyone from elite athletes to beginners.
He said: “There’s nothing in Scotland at this level.”
Meanwhile Harris, who first got the ski-ing bug on a family holiday and then begged his dad to bring him to Hillend which he could see from his bedroom window, added the slope was great for some “decent tricks”.
Midlothian Council Leader Derek Milligan said: “It’s been fantastic to get such positive feedback from Harris and the other freestyle skiers but it’s even better that we can now invite the public to come along and enjoy this amazing facility.
“This is really going to put the snowsports centre on the map but please remember to check with the existing coronavirus travel restrictions to make sure you can travel safely while keeping safe.”
Destination Hillend is set to include the highest zipline in the UK, the country’s longest Alpine coaster, a new reception building, food-court and function space.
If full planning permission is granted, there will also be glamping pods, a high ropes area, shops and possibly a hotel.