THE Wee County has welcomed an influx of winter sports enthusiasts recently, with events in Pyeongchang inspiring a new generation to hit the slopes in Tillicoultry.

While recent snow showers in central Scotland may not have pleased everyone, there have been plenty of people making the most of it by turning to tubing and other fun activities at Firpark Ski Centre.

And though the popularity of the site has steadily been increasing over the last 18 months, the Winter Olympics in South Korea appear to have pushed a few extra visitors to Clacks.

Marjorie Macfarlane, sports development manager at Clackmannanshire Council, oversees the centre, along with a wider sports portfolio in the county.

She said she has seen a spike in the number of people seeking private lessons, while uptake in the nine ski schools that run throughout the year has been terrific.

Marjorie said: "I think we've made the actual lessons more obtainable for people and there are a few dry slopes across Scotland.

"But Firpark Ski Centre has always had a reputation for learning and teaching, not just coming along to be a recreational skier and our focus is to remain that.

"We have a great relationship with the club which is called Muckhart and District Ski Club; they have a focus of picking up on skiers who want to become racers and we work in partnership with them.

"We can't ignore, of course, the Winter Olympics – I think that has made us even busier and the coverage on the TV has been amazing.

"And the weather, while for some people the freezing temperatures and the snow on the hills isn't welcome, it's just fantastic for raising the profile and getting more business at the ski centre."

Few towns can boast of its very own dry slope, and with people travelling from all over the country just to sample the facilities in Tillicoultry, it has proven to be a consistent money-spinner for the county.

Around 300 people also go through the doors every week for the learn to ski programme, and just last week more than 100 children attended the February Ski School, which was supported by a number of trainee instructors.

Indeed, it is a place for all abilities, with those as young as four able to attend the Penguin Club.

Tubing parties are also on offer on Saturday and Sunday evenings, while the slope is included in all the Active Schools holiday programmes.

There are 34 qualified instructors on the relief database who offer support, while the teacher to pupil ratio is monitored closely to ensure it is of most benefit.

Many who have taught the sport at the local facility have managed to build relationships and successful careers through doing so, with some contributing to Team GB over the years.

Marjorie added: "It has produced a phenomenal skiing talent and some of our instructors are currently working in China and other parts of the world.

"Becoming an instructor and instructing at the ski centre is not an end in itself, it's part of an exciting journey."

To find out more about the ski centre and the upcoming Active Easter programme for children, please visit clacks.gov.uk