The coming winter will see the opening of a new state-of-the-art gondola at Val d’Isère that will rise from the heart of the famous resort.
The opening of the new Solaise gondola is the final phase of the two-year €16 million redevelopment of Solaise, reached from the front de neige base area, and is being promoted as, “the biggest innovation in France’s top resort for a decade,” by the resort’s marketing staff, who say it will transform mountain access in Val d’Isère for all standards of skier.
During the course of the summer, the old Solaise Express chair-lift and the even older Solaise cable-car – the original was built in 1938 – were dismantled. In their place comes the new 10-person gondola with 91 cabins, complete with heated seats and WiFi. You can park your skis in exterior baskets, or bring them inside – the choice speeds up loading time.
The lift company has taken every step to minimise the environmental impact of the project. The redevelopment reduces the number of lift stations from a total of eight with 34 pylons to just two with 16 pylons.
The new gondola will increase capacity on the route by 40% and can carry up to 3,600 passengers per hour, hopefully bringing an end to any previous peak-hour bottlenecks at the base on high-season dates. The journey time will be just seven minutes, making it one of the fastest lifts in the world.
The gondola machinery is buried underground at the base area. This significantly reduces the noise impact both for two- and four-legged inhabitants that live here at the foot of the mountain.
There’s a new day lodge already open at the top of the mountain and a new, secure, beginner area at the top of the gondola too with the slopes egraded to provide the perfect pitch for learning first steps on skis and snowboard. They’re served by three covered magic carpets lifts. Beginners can swiftly progress from these slopes to the easy, rolling terrain reached from the adjacent Madeleine chair-lift.
To celebrate the redevelopment of this part of the mountain Val d’Isère is offering a special lift pass for 35€ for one day. It covers the new beginner area as well as a substantial amount of terrain suited to more accomplished skiers. The pass includes the two village lifts of Legettaz and Rogoney, the Solaise Gondola, and the three magic carpets as well as the Madeleine, Datcha, and Glacier chairs. The price compares to 49€ for a full Val d’Isère (but not Tignes) day pass or 55.50€ for both resorts.
