A range of improvements to facilities at the Nevis Range Ski Centre in Lochaber, one of Scotland's largest visitor attractions, are being carried out with help from the Local Enterprise Company.

Lochaber Limited has awarded the company a development grant worth £18,000 towards the £71,600 costs of upgrading the car park, chairlift, ski towers and the top station restaurant. The funding has also helped with the construction of racks for the gondola cars, allowing mountain bikes to be carried, giving access to the downhill mountain bike track which opened last year.

Nevis Range, one of Lochaber's most popular tourist attractions, opened for business in 1989. Management at Nevis Range are constantly looking at ways to develop the business in a bid to strengthen their market position and ensure high visitor numbers during summer and winter.

Last summer, West Highland Wheelers in conjunction with Forest Enterprise and with funding from Lochaber Limited, the European LEADER II programme, the Sports Lottery Fund and Nevis Range opened a downhill mountain bike track adjacent to the ski area. This has already attracted major competitions and is helping to develop summer business. The construction of bike racks for the gondolas will boost the use and development of the track.

The re-surfacing of key areas of the car park is important, especially if the business is to improve on its current two star status, awarded by the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board. The car park currently consists of limestone hardcore and 'tarred ' roads to guide drivers through the parking area, however the limestone is not suitable for heavy use areas or for disabled parking sections.

The Snowgoose Restaurant at the top station is also to get a face-lift with the re-designing and upgrading of the servery and kitchen. The re-design will allow those just wanting teas, coffees and fast food to be served quickly while giving those requiring meals time to choose. The expected higher turnover of customers will mean more staff being employed in the restaurant.

Other improvements at Nevis Range include the replacement of the electrically powered drive on the Braveheart Chairlift with a hydraulic drive which will make the chairlift more reliable, and the galvanising of four ski towers which will reduce the need for continual maintenance as the process lasts over 30 years.

This array of developments at Nevis Range will mean at least 2 new jobs, in addition to the 48 staff already employed.

Managing director at Nevis Range, Marian Austin said: "Both as a ski area and visitor attraction we face fierce competition so we are always looking for ways to improve the service we offer. This is important in order to attract more visitors and encourage people to stay longer in the Lochaber area."

Jackie Wright, chief executive of Lochaber Limited said: "Nevis Range is a major tourist attraction in Lochaber and the opening of the downhill bike track will encourage even more visitors to the area. Tourism is extremely important to the economy of Lochaber and by carrying out further developments at Nevis Range, it will strengthen their market position which will have spin-off benefits for the whole area."