End of an Era: Tributes Pour in for Pieter du Pon, Last Original Founder of The Lecht

The Scottish snowsports community is in mourning following the announcement on April 10, 2026, that Pieter du Pon, the visionary co-founder and Chairman of The Lecht Ski Centre, has passed away.

As the last surviving member of the original founding directors, du Pon’s death marks the end of a foundational chapter in Scottish skiing history. He was a cornerstone of the resort from its very first day, serving as Managing Director from its inception before transitioning to Chairman of the Board in recent years.

In a statement the resort said: 

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that our Chairman Pieter du Pon has passed away.

"Pieter was Managing Director of The Lecht since its creation, before more recently becoming chairman of the board, and is the last of the Lecht’s original founding directors.

"Since The Lecht was established in 1977, he played a central role in shaping what it would become — a place built on families, fun, safety, and a love of the mountains, where generations of families have learned, progressed, and made memories together.

"Over the decades, Pieter gave an extraordinary amount of time, care, and leadership to The Lecht. He believed deeply in what The Lecht stands for: a friendly, family-focused snow sports centre that serves the local community and offers people of all ages the chance to experience the joy of being on the slopes.

"Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by us all. We are profoundly grateful for everything he contributed to The Lecht and to the wider community it supports."

The Lecht was established in 1977 at a time when the high pass between Tomintoul and Strathdon was little more than a cattle grid and a small layby. Alongside co-founders James McIntosh, Jim Petrie, and Ronald Winram, du Pon saw the potential in the terrain’s ability to hold snow and its gentler slopes—perfect for those just starting their journey on skis.

Over the nearly five decades that followed, du Pon was instrumental in transforming the site into Lecht 2090, a premier destination for winter sports in the Eastern Cairngorms. His leadership was defined by a specific, heartfelt mission:

• Family First: Ensuring the resort remained accessible and welcoming to all ages.

• Safety & Education: Prioritizing a secure environment where generations of Scots learned to ski and snowboard.

• Community Spirit: Maintaining a "friendly, family-focused" atmosphere that served as a hub for the local community.

"A Love of the Mountains"

In a statement released by the resort, colleagues and friends reflected on the "extraordinary amount of time, care, and leadership" du Pon dedicated to the mountains.

"Since The Lecht was established in 1977, he played a central role in shaping what it would become—a place built on families, fun, safety, and a love of the mountains, where generations of families have learned, progressed, and made memories together."

The partnership between du Pon and the late James "Tosh" McIntosh—who met while serving in the Royal Navy—became the stuff of industry legend. Together, they hand-built many of the resort's early features, often working in brutal winter conditions to ensure the lifts were ready for the public.

Pieter du Pon’s influence extends far beyond the physical lifts and runs of The Lecht. He is remembered as a man who believed deeply in the joy of the outdoors and the importance of providing a space where people could fall in love with the snow.

He is survived by his family and a vast community of skiers and snowboarders who credit their passion for the sport to the world he helped build. As the flags fly at half-mast over the Lecht 2090 base lodge, the message from the mountain is clear: his tracks in the snow will remain for years to come.