Hundreds of skiers were left stranded in tailbacks at Glenshee as “atrocious” weather closed the upper slopes.
Businesses hit out at a lack of communication as traffic was allowed to stack up on the A93 Blairgowrie to Glenshee road, only to be stopped by police at Bridge of Cally with the snow gates shut.
Scores of fed-up motorists simply abandoned their cars and walked further up the glen.
Perth and Kinross councillor Bob Ellis said those who had travelled “miles and hours” to get to the slopes were entitled to “expect better”. He said more needs to be done to improve weather warnings to avoid skiers and snowboarders going elsewhere with a “disastrous” result on the Perthshire economy.
“I am really sorry to hear that once again people have been turned away because of the snow and ice,” Mr Ellis said.
“Some people would have travelled miles and hours to get to Glenshee and they expect better and want clear roads.
“There has to be better communication between the council, the police and the ski slopes regarding telling people about the road.
“We have had various meetings about these issues in the past in the hope of keeping the road open but sadly, once again, this has failed and we must look at this again, starting tomorrow.
“This does not give any satisfaction to skiers and if this continues skiers and snowboard enthusiasts will go elsewhere.”
Darren Morgan from the Gulabin Lodge Outdoor Centre, Spittal of Glenshee, echoed the calls for better communication.
He said: “The main problem in this weekend’s storm has been the winds, and we have five feet snow drifts.
“However, I feel the biggest problem is lack of communication.
“We need better communication between the council, the police and the transport bodies.”
An employee at the Bridge of Cally Hotel said their business relies on skiers and trade can be badly hit when the slopes are shut.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said staff had been working on the A93 yesterday from 5am and stressed conditions in the Glenshee area were “atrocious”.
She also claimed that many motorists had made the situation worse by abandoning their cars which made it difficult for the snowploughs to get past.
Stunning footage (see above) of the snowdrifts at Glenshee has gone viral.
Showing a snow plough tackling five metre drifts near the ski centre’s lifts, the video has been watched almost 50,000 times in less than 24 hours.