Ski Slopes Of Gibraltar

My heart pounded as the button pull gently tugged up the eastern side of the famous Rock of Gibraltar, it was hard to imagine that this steep slope had once been home to Gibraltar's large Water Catchment's where work began in 1898. Were the large sheets of corrugated steel and concrete layers which allowed the rainwater to flow down this slope into a channel which in turn fed into a reservoir system deep inside the Rock, still nestled beneath the snowy slope? By the end of its life the water catchment's area had increased to an impressionable size of 34 acres which when one takes into consideration the size of Gibraltar, 6.5 square kilometers, is must have been impressive.

Sitting back on the not too comfortable button inching forward ever so slowly allowed time to take in the breathtaking views. High above loomed the highest point 426 meters which in ski-ing terms is not all that high BUT the scenery is second to none. It felt almost possible to reach out and touch the blue Mediterranean as it gently merged with the Atlantic, it felt almost possible to bid the inhabitants of neighboring Spain a cheery "Hola" whilst at the same time bidding the inhabitants of Morocco "Ahlan". What a truly unique corner of the world where three countries, two seas and two continents meet.

Nestled way below the slope is the only hotel on the east side of the Rock, The Caleta Hotel. Its unique shape rather like a ship was so apparent from this lofty vantage point.. It looked as if it offered a warm haven from the colds of the ski slope and would be perfect for the all too important sport of apres-ski.

Chuckling to myself at the thought of one of the Rock's famous inhabitants joining in the fun made the journey to the top more bearable. Would we catch a glimpse of the world renowned macaques also known as the "Barbary Ape". After all besides humans they are the only primates that live freely in Europe. It is believed that the Barbary Macaques were first introduced to Gibraltar from North Africa by the Moors who occupied southern Iberia between 711 and 1492 others claim that they were a remnant of populations spread throughout southern Europe as far back as 5.5 million years ago. However they got there the thought of one of these tailless little creatures snow ploughing down the eastern rock was priceless. What did our "furry cousins" exist on during these winter months how much of the 530 species of flora on Gibraltar would be available or even suitable to them?

On reaching the top of the button pull I paused for a moment taking in the view from this "Pillar of Hercules" and to reflect on the area, its past and the importance of this strategic location throughout history in terms of conflict. From as early as 711 AD the battles and sieges of Gibraltar by the Moors, Spanish and British form an interesting part of the intricate tapestry of Gibraltar history.

One final check of the bindings, poles at the ready and poised for the short steep run the sun reflecting off the pure white Gibraltar snow I was ready to go. A strange ringing sound filled the air, was this the avalanche warning system, unfortunately not.

7 a.m. and the alarm clock sounded once again. How could we possibly sustain a ski slope in this gentle Mediterranean climate, so close to the sea where the winter weather is possibly better than a Scottish summer? Yet another dream based on my very wishful thinking that someone would see the potential of the defunct water catchment area as a ski slope, if not with snow then dry!

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