Issue 50

EVENTS
Describe your event and how
many people it attracts?
Neil: The Mighty Coe is the UK’s
first on-snow ski and snowboard
festival. It offers participants the
opportunity to try new kit, see
next year’s gear and learn new
skills. It has a focus on backcountry
exploration, which took off during
lockdown, giving people an insight
into what’s involved to make the
most of Scotland’s amazing winter
mountains.
The venue limits are around 1,000
per day, plus 250 on film/party
night.
Explain a bit about your venue
Neil: Glencoe Mountain Resort is
Scotland’s oldest ski centre (1954).
I am a part time resident in Glencoe
and have loved the whole area for
a long time. The ski area has the
most exciting lift-served terrain in
Scotland.
What made you decide to run the
festival?
Neil: This was the first year. We had
the idea while on backcountry ski
mission during lockdown. We at
Hillside Outside already run one of
the UK’s biggest mountain bike and
cycling festivals, and realised there
was nothing similar for snowsports.
We did some research and realised
there was enthusiasm in the
industry and among the public for
something like this.
How does the relationship work
with the venue you hold the
event at?
Neil: This event was always going
to have to be a partnership as its
success is totally dependent on the
co-operation of the venue, for use of
its facilities and operational staff.
Jamie: Working with the Glencoe
Mountain team had to be hugely
collaborative; we had no idea how
snow over winter would change the
natural shape and layout of the site
and they very much did! There was
no way we could get the required
level of equipment to the top of
the mountain if we didn't work
together.
How is your relationship with the
local authority and community?
Neil: The local authority signed off
safety and licencing permissions
etc. and we had a series of
meetings with its events group
“THERE WAS
NO WAY WE
COULD GET
THE REQUIRED
LEVEL OF
EQUIPMENT
TO THE TOP OF
THE MOUNTAIN
IF WE DIDN'T
WORK
TOGETHER”
and safety advisory group. The
local community is largely tourismcentric
and we provided a welcome
visitor and publicity boost in the
winter season.
What entertainment did you
offer?
Neil: We offered films, DJs and an
afterparty. We sourced everything
through snow industry partners and
our own contacts.
Jamie: The in-house DJ looked after
the entertainment for the weekend
but we had to ensure that we could
handle all of the possible technical
requirements while still packing
extremely light.
How did you publicise the event?
Neil: Mostly through social media –
it’s a fairly specialist market for this
event. Authenticity is everything as
we’re marketing to and providing
an event for a tribe who love their
particular sport, its values and style.
Did you make any money?
Neil: Year one – no profit expected
nor delivered! But it worked very
well; we’ve learned a great deal
about venue choice, programming
and partnerships. Next year will be a
little different, but it should also be
bigger and more profitable.
How did you plan the layout and
what structures did you use?
Jamie: We began by meeting on
the mountain last autumn to plan
a site layout and to see what was
physically possible to build in such
a remote location.
We planned the site with what
we all agreed was the best guess
at how deep the snow would be.
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