Access Statement for Nevis Range

This Access Statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with

disabilities, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our visitors.

Introduction

Home to the UK’s only mountain gondola, Nevis Range offers visitors a unique experience year-

round. Take a trip to 650m on one of Britain’s highest mountains, Aonach Mor and visit the

Snowgoose Restaurant & Bar; enjoy the mountain walks to viewpoints; ride the famous World Cup

Downhill Mountain Bike track or simply take in the stunning backdrop and spectacular views. During

the winter months there is also Skiing, Snowboarding and Sledging. There is plenty fun to be had at

the gondola base station too, enjoy a coffee and cake or freshly prepared lunch in the Pinemarten

Cafe Bar after a session on the Tree Adventure ropes course or a walk in Leanachan forest.

Nevis Range is committed to ensuring that the facilities provided are accessible to all visitors,

including those with limited mobility.

Pre Arrival and car park

Fort William railway station is the nearest access by train to Nevis Range and is approx. 7 miles away.

A Taxi rank is located outside the train station or on the main high street in Fort William town

centre. The number 41 bus route runs from Fort William town centre to Nevis Range. There is a bus

stop situated in the Nevis Range car park, close to the main ticket office. There is a large car park

onsite with four dedicated blue badge spaces in front of the main building; there is a slight incline

from the car park to the main entrance which is served by a ramp to the patio area.

Ticket Office

The Ticket Office and main entrance to the Gondola hall is located at ground level at the front of the

building. The ticket office window is situated at a height of 120cm and there is no lower counter

desk area to assist wheelchair users. There is no hearing loop system in place however; a pen and

notepad can be provided. Complimentary tickets are issued for carers and disabled visitors receive a

25% discount.

The gondola trip to the top station

Gondola

Each of the six seater closed cabin Gondolas run on a continuous 4.6km steel cable. There is a

turnstile entrance to the gondola hall. The gondola can accommodate wheelchairs up to 60cm wide

and 119cm long. Gondolas can also accommodate electric wheelchairs and scooters provided that

they are within the maximum size provided. The Gondola operators will ensure that the Gondola is

slowed down or stopped to a complete standstill to allow visitors with limited mobility to get on

board. There is a ramp at both the base and top gondola stations to allow wheelchair access on

board. Gondola operators will phone ahead to their colleagues at the top station to inform them

that a wheelchair user is on board a particular gondola so that visitors with limited mobility can be

assisted getting off the gondola when they reach the top station. There is one wheelchair available

at the bottom station.

Arrival at the gondola top station

Upon arrival at the Gondola top station, there are double doors leading out onto the mountain and

another set of doors sign posted ‘Restaurant’ which is followed by eight steps to access the

Snowgoose Restaurant, Nevisport gift shop and toilets. Wheelchair access to the restaurant, gift

shop and toilets is from the external doors leading out onto the mountain where there is a level

entrance into the restaurant from the side of the building.

Access to the mountain

There is level access outside onto the mountain where there is a paved patio area outside the main

building. This area can have heavy snow cover during the ski season. From outside on the patio,

level access to the Snowgoose Restaurant & Bar is available via two entrance doors located on the

veranda and at the back of the building.

Catering at the top station

The Snowgoose Restaurant & Bar at the Gondola top station is a traditional self-service ski

restaurant serving delicious locally sourced home cooking and fresh baking. Menus are displayed

above the servery on blackboards. The bar offers a wide variety of drinks including freshly ground

coffees, Scottish ales and warming whiskies.

Activities at the top station

Mountain Discovery Centre

The Mountain Discovery Centre (open June-October) aims to educate adults and children alike,

about the wildlife, mountain habitat and landscape that surround us. Using interpretation panels,

interactive displays and video footage the area is designed to be both fun and educational for all

ages. The Mountain Discovery Centre is located under the Snowgoose Restaurant & Bar at the

Gondola top station and is accessible only via a steep staircase, pictured below. The interpretation

boards do not currently offer text in enlarged print or braille. Video footage on display shows

imagery and background music.

ZoomTrax

The ZoomTrax is a 40m tubing slide located outside at the Gondola top station and is free of charge.

The tubing slide uses large inflatable rings on a dedicated 40m long track and is accessed by a 3.5m

high tower.

Shop

The Nevisport shop at the gondola top station, stocks a variety of products such as goggles and

sunglasses; hats, sledges and other mountain essentials, or clothing, gifts and souvenirs to remind

you of your visit to Nevis Range. Images of the shop entrance and interior are displayed above to

give an indication of the space inside.

Toilets

Situated in the Gondola top station building beside the entrance to the Snowgoose Restaurant and

Nevisport gift shop are ladies, gents and a disabled toilet.

Gondola Base Station

Pinemarten cafe bar

Situated at the bottom gondola station, next to the main ticket office, the Pinemarten cafe bar

serves meals, snacks, home baking and speciality coffees. Menus are displayed on tables and on a

blackboard behind the counter. Large print and braille is currently unavailable.

Pinemarten cafe toilets

There are toilets in the Pinemarten cafe located to the left of the main entrance. There is one unisex

toilet and one disabled toilet both with level access. The door opens outwards with a vertical grab

rail on the back of the door. The light is on an automatic motion sensor. There is a clear space to the

right of the toilet (when facing the WC) for a wheelchair. There are horizontal grab rails to the right

of the toilet and a vertical grab rail by the sink. There is a red alarm cord to alert of any emergencies

or assistance required.

Activities at the base station

Forest Walks

Leanachan forest, situated on the lower slopes of Aonach Mor offers 25 miles of forest trails with a

stunning mountain backdrop to explore on foot or on bikes. The trails are accessible all year round

and are graded for all levels to suit your ability, ranging from easy short strolls to expert challenging

walks.

Tree Adventure

Located at the Gondola base station, at the edge of Leanachan Forest, the Tree Adventure is a series

of treetop ropes courses for all ages.

There are four different courses each at different heights with varying features. Barn Owl is perched

at 5.5m high and has 14 challenging features. The minimum height for this course is 135cm. Red Fox

is located further into Leanachan forest and starts with a short zip wire along with 12 more treetop

features. The minimum height for Red Fox is 145cm. Wildcat is the most challenging of the courses

with features including a climbing wall, net tunnel and a 100m zip wire stretching from the forest

back to the car park. Minimum height for the Wildcat course is 145cm. The Swoop or ‘power fan

jump’ involves a climb to more than 11m before whizzing back down to ground level. Minimum

weight for the Swoop is 20kg. For young children over 120cm the Squirrel course, built on poles,

contains 14 mini features ideal for small children or those adults who prefer to keep their feet closer

to the ground!

Additional Information

Wheelchairs – Should you require assistance at any point during your visit to Nevis Range, staff will

be happy to assist you. There is one wheelchair available to borrow should your wheelchair exceed

the maximum width of 60cm on the gondola.

Assistance dogs – We welcome all dogs on the gondola and they are free of charge. However dogs

are not permitted in the restaurant for health and hygiene reasons, with the exception of assistance

dogs.

Signage – general signage is blue with white text.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on this access statement including any information that you feel we may

have missed that may be of interest, please email us at enquiries@nevisrange.co.uk or call the office

on 01397 705825, alternatively you can speak to a member of our team when you visit Nevis Range.

Contact us

Nevis Range Torlundy Fort William PH33 6SQ Tel: 01397 705825 Email: info@nevisrange.co.uk Website: www.nevisrange.co.uk