Youngsters heap praise on 30 year old Huntly Nordic Centre that has helped them develop their cross country skiing careers
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THIRTY years of Huntly's Nordic Ski Centre will be celebrated tomorrow with a day of free events.
The vision for the centre was to be a catalyst to bring people to Huntly and the Clashindarroch forest which is the best snow holding forest in the UK.
This has been achieved with people regularly travelling from England to use the facility - the only one of its kind in the UK.
It is managed by Aberdeenshire Council and its staff, Huntly Nordic Ski Club members and volunteers and attracts people from east Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus.
The achievements of Olympic skiers, Andrew Musgrave, Andrew Young, PJ Barron and Alex Standen and others who have competed at European Youth Olympics have put it on the map.
Logan Duncan (16) recently returned from his first Team GB selection at the OPA Games in Italy, where the best juniors from 13 countries attended.
Logan said: "I started skiing when I was 11 to improve my downhill skiing but I enjoyed it so much I swapped over to cross country. It’s so handy having it on my doorstep to go to whenever I can and whatever the weather. I’ve met lots of people and had opportunities because of the centre. I think we are really lucky to have this facility."
Kieren Forth (17) added: "The centre has given me something to focus on, I started at the after school club and I’ve raced internationally more recently."
Elspeth Cruickshank (15) who broke long standing track records throughout Scotland in 2021 and with Luke Nicolls, Sarah Young and Logan was a Scottish and series championship last year said the great facilities at the centre had allowed her to progress her skiing career for which she would always be thankful.
Logan's mum, Lynne (49) says despite her poor skiing she really enjoys the sessions at the centre and found the community spirit a great support through the pandemic years.
After school and Sunday morning club and development squad sessions have grown and around 40 youngsters attend.
Andy Millar who was project officer when the centre was built and now coaches said: "The centre has exceeded initial expectations because of the skiers who have gone to the Olympics.
"The two Andrews always promote the centre which introduced them to the sport."
At the outset there was just the lodge and the original flat track.
Big Lottery funding in 2002 was used to upgrade the classic track, add 800 metres of roller ski track, a bridge and a downhill slope.
The improvements meant that Huntly skiers were ready to take on the world's best at the Winter Olympic in Vancouver - sooner than had originally been thought possible.
Elizabeth Massie an outdoor activity instructor at the centre said: "During lockdown it became a sport for everyone, people used their skies during the snow to get for their shopping. People from all over come to Huntly which is just a glorious thing. Our members come from all walks of life and are all ages and everyone is really welcome."
