PAVEMENT TO PISTE: OPENING PATHWAYS INTO NORDIC SKIING
‘Pavement to Piste’ is a collaborative project led by Snowsport Scotland and Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre (HNOC), working closely with Live Life Outdoors Aberdeenshire and Active Schools in both Aberdeenshire and Moray. The project is designed to inspire children and adults to engage in roller-skiing and to provide a natural and accessible pathway into cross-country skiing.
A central aim is to increase participation at Scotland’s main roller-ski and cross-country ski facility, the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre in Aberdeenshire, by delivering school-based programmes and supporting participants to progress into out-of-school clubs and wider community opportunities. The project places a strong emphasis on inclusion, ensuring that children with additional support needs, care-experienced young people and families facing financial barriers can access the activity.
Significant progress has already been made. At Gordon Primary School, the initial pilot project, successfully delivered in Term 1 of the 2025–26 academic year, engaged nearly 50 pupils in blocks of sessions, which combined roller-skiing and cross-country skiing, while a Nurture Group and children with complex needs were able to access inclusive multi-sport sessions. All pupils participating in the skiing achieved Level 1 Nordic Proficiency.
The project has since secured a £2,000 award from Aberdeenshire Charities Trust, enabling a substantial expansion of delivery with further projects being run for Gordon Primary pupils across the school year, reaching over 150 additional children. This funding has also supported the creation of a new after-school roller-ski club at HNOC for Gordon Primary pupils, with lesson costs subsidised to reduce financial barriers and encourage long-term participation beyond curriculum time.
Work is also progressing across other parts of Aberdeenshire and into Moray:
Within the Inverurie Primary Schools Cluster, a successful after-school programme for pupils from several schools ran in Inverurie, with the support of the Huntly Nordic Ski Club, throughout October/November. It was funded by the Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation and was designed to lead participants on to weekend sessions at the Huntly Centre (HNOC). Due to the level of engagement, this programme will resume in April.
The Vattenfall Clashindarroch Windfarm Community Fund is currently supporting a Pavement to Piste project for Rhynie Primary. Whilst Insch and Premnay Primary Schools have received grant funding from the Glens of Foudland Windfarm Community Trust and are about to begin their sessions. The Dorenell Windfarm Community Benefit Fund is supporting both Mortlach Primary (Dufftown) and Glenlivet Primary to access the project over a 3-year period. These funds are all supporting outreach playground sessions, visits to HNOC and subsidised continuation opportunities for pupils.
Further funding applications are underway to enable all Primary Schools in the Huntly Cluster of schools and several schools from Moray Council to join in the project.
In May, children from Turriff Primary’s ‘Promise Group’ will be part of a pilot at the HNOC providing ‘Pavement to Piste’ skiing opportunities for care-experienced children. It is hoped to build on this pilot and secure funding for similar Promise Group projects elsewhere. By providing a first-hand experience of a safe, structured, and positive activity, the project lays the foundation for ongoing participation in physical activity and supports long-term wellbeing and inclusion for care-experienced children in Aberdeenshire. It is hoped to expand this across Aberdeenshire and then further afield.
Beyond school delivery, it is hoped the project will drive wider growth in the sport. Plans are in progress to establish a new satellite club from the Huntly Nordic Ski Club in Deeside in April 2026, creating additional opportunities for beginner and intermediate skiers of all ages and encouraging new participants to engage with the sport closer to home.
The impact of Pavement to Piste is being recognised by partners for its contribution to inclusion, health and wellbeing, and sustainable participation. As Susi McLarty, Outdoor and Adventurous Activity Team Manager at Live Life Outdoors Aberdeenshire, explains: “The collaborative between Snowsport Scotland and Huntly Nordic Outdoor Centre has witnessed the creation of a fabulous new programme ‘Pavement to Piste’ which sees young people across Aberdeenshire benefiting from inclusive access to activity in the great outdoors, supporting Health and Wellbeing outcomes. Removing barriers from the sport which is delivered in the heart of Aberdeenshire, raising awareness of the Huntly Nordic Centre, ensuring access is for all, and allowing the centre to flourish and see growth in participation.”
_________________________________________________________________________________
For further information on the ‘Pavement to Piste’ project, please contact:
ken@snowsportscotland.org
If you are interested in participating in roller-skiing / cross-country skiing, please contact:
Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre: huntlynordic.skicentre@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or call: 01466 794428
Huntly Nordic Ski Club: secretary@nordicski.co.uk or huntlynordicsc@yahoo.co.uk
Fife Nordic Ski Club: info@fifenordic.co.uk