Scottish skiing boasts £25m profit

"Snow has just piled up week after week since before Christmas, with another metre falling in 36 hours last week."

The Scottish ski industry is celebrating healthy profits after this winter's heavy snowfall. Ski-Scotland said winter sports fans had spent £25 million and with further snowfall predicted the season could continue until May. The country's five mountain ski areas have had their best season since 2001, with high levels of snow falling at CairnGorm, Glencoe, Glenshee, Nevis Range and the Lecht.

Ski Scotland said the rise in the number of skiers had boosted trade for local businesses such as bed and breakfasts. Nevis Range managing director Marian Austin said the resort had extended its skiing area this year due to the unexpected levels of snow. She said: "Unlike the ski areas in the east, we do not normally ski to our car park. "But this amazing snow cover - even at low level - has allowed us to offer skiing from 1,190m (3,900ft) down to 100m (330ft), which is about 4.5km, or close to three miles." Pieter du Pon, of the Lecht Ski Company, added: "The snow this year has been fantastic with constant cold and great skiing conditions. "Snow has just piled up week after week since before Christmas, with another metre falling in 36 hours last week."