The Scottish Highlands will host this year's Alpine Skiing European Cup finals for the first time.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the slopes and local traders are hoping to benefit.

The week-long event begins on March 8 and will take place in the Cairngorm and Nevis mountains.

The event has been funded by Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise and Lochaber Limited, of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network.

The National Lottery, through the Scottish Sports Council, and European aid have also provided financial support for the event.

MBSE chief executive, Douglas MacDiarmid, said standards of the facilities were a key factor in persuading the organisers of the event to come to the Highlands.

"Skiing is an increasingly important industry for the Highlands and the resorts have invested considerable sums to make sure that their facilities are up to the mark," he said.

Dick Ruane, Chief Executive of Lochaber Limited, said the event would put skiing in the Highlands on the map.

He said: "This hugely prestigious event will highlight just how fantastic skiing in the Highlands can be. It will bring considerable benefits to both the individual areas concerned and the Highlands as a whole."
 

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