Cairn Gorm Mountain in Aviemore received the Golden Ski Award for Most Improved Resort of the Year in The Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide 2003.

It is the first time that a UK resort has been honoured with such a title and the guide's authors said that Cairn Gorm is the best example of a resort that has been keen to improve its facilities.

A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into gaining approval and building the funicular

Peter Hardy, guide author

The experts said the award demonstrated how Scotland has "come of age" as a serious ski destination which can rival France and Switzerland.

They pointed to the opening of the mountain's �14.7m funicular railway as one initiative which helped Cairn Gorm to win the award.

The project, said the experts, highlighted the determination of the Scottish skiing community to be taken seriously.

Peter Hardy, co-author of the guide, said: "Cairngorm has shown the way forward.

"A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into gaining approval and building the funicular.

'Quality service

"If Scottish resort improvements continue at this level we can expect to see a winter ski playground that rivals many resorts in the Alps."

Mr Hardy said Scotland was demonstrating good progress in the development of ski holidays.

He said: "Cairngorm Mountains is the best example of a resort that is keen to improve its facilities and is indicative that Scottish skiing is getting better all the time."

Bob Kinnaird, Chief Executive of CairnGorm Mountain, said there were two main factors which led to the success.

He said: "The funicular has been a real success in the winter. We're now able to carry skiers up to the top of the mountain in comfort and at speed.

"But equally important is the efforts by the staff here to try to provide a quality service; something we've worked on very hard and we're particularly pleased with this award today."