Scottish short story writer missing area gets to go downhill? (3)
I believe the answer is:
ski
'go downhill?' is the definition.
(go down a hill on skis)
'scottish short story writer missing area' is the wordplay.
'scottish short story writer' becomes 'saki' (pen name of Hector Hugh Munro).
'missing' is a deletion indicator.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'saki' with 'a' removed is 'SKI'.
'gets to' is the link.
(Other definitions for ski that I've seen before include "Engage in a winter sport" , "Use runners crossing snow" , "Slide on snow" , "Sport on piste" , "Glide on snow with special footwear" .)