What’s being billed as the first gondola in France to feature lighting on the outside of its cabins has been inaugurated at Courchevel.
The all-new, ultra-modern Ariondaz gondola lift ushers in a new era in Courchevel Moriond and the resort has splurged €12.5m on the project.
The new lift has 8-seater cabins and is capable of a maximum passenger turnover of 2,400 people per hour.
At the top of the new gondola Courchevel has created a hub of activities, besides regular ski pistes.
These include the Western Ski Park, the start of a new toboggan run, a Saloon with a picnic area and mezzanine with games and inevitably, free WiFi.
The new toboggan run, Moriond Racing is 3km long descending from the top of the new Ariondaz gondola lift down to the snow front in Courchevel Moriond. It features 8 tunnels, 450 metres of vertical drop and an average gradient of 15% to ensure fast-paced descents for all the family.
Open daily from 11am with night operation to 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays a run costs 15€ or 4 descents from 11€ per run. Children under 140cms tall are free when accompanied by an adult. The price includes helmet and toboggan loan.
In good news for efficiency and the environment the new lift replaces three drag lifts, as well as the old gondola, leading to the removal of about 30 former lift pylons.
That external illumination is provided by numerous tiny solar-powered LED bulbs.
