INNOVATION BOOK 2026_#6 UK

INNOVATION BOOK

29

AURO

8

AURO Assist

2

Auro Assist supplémentaires en Amérique du Nord

AURO

AURO Assist

AURO et AURO Assist

AURO et AURO Assist : sur la voie du succès

Dans le monde des remontées mécaniques, AURO s’est imposé comme la référence en matière d’autonomie et d’innovation. Cette technologie redéfinit les standards de l’exploitation des installations et ouvre la voie à une nouvelle génération de systèmes intelligents. Depuis l’arrivée sur le marché de solutions basées sur l’IA pour les télésièges – notamment AURO CLD et AURO Assist – une chose est certaine : l’avenir sera autonome. AURO CLD permet une exploitation entièrement sans personnel des stations de débarquement, tandis qu’AURO Assist renforce la sécurité lors de l’embarquement. Grâce à une meilleure visibilité et à des réactions immédiates du système de commande, les départs avec des passagers mal installés sont efficacement évités. Les nombreuses installations déjà en service témoignent d’une dynamique forte et illustrent comment le groupe Doppelmayr, en collaboration avec ses clients, révolutionne l’exploitation des remontées mécaniques. Vous souhaitez en savoir plus ? Venez nous rencontrer au salon Mountain Planet, stand 1531. Nous nous réjouissons d’avance de pouvoir échanger avec vous.

doppelmayr.com

An unprecedented global dynamic INTRO

From Europe to Asia, the Americas to Oceania, the investments undertaken in our exhibitors’ ski resorts and other international playgrounds are reaching levels rarely seen before. Modernisation of facilities, strategic connections, overall upgrading, diversification across all four seasons: mountains everywhere are stepping up their game while reshaping their model, and nowhere are they losing the remarkable appeal that our trade fair has been promoting for more than five decades.

However, the scale of the amounts involved cannot sidestep the central question: how can we balance profitability and sustainability? How can performance be improved without undermining the natural foundation on which the activity is based? How can growth be achieved within a constrained climate and energy outlook?

In our opinion, the answer lies neither in abstraction nor in rhetoric, but rather in specific choices that are taking shape before our eyes. We are referring, for example, to the optimisation of energy use in facilities, intelligent flow management, the rational diversification of uses, and the rise of technology and artificial intelligence. These choices must be made with a long-term vision, capable of combining immediate appeal with structural robustness, but they cannot be put on hold.

The current era demands balance rather than sterile opposition. The sectors that are investing today know that competitiveness will come through efficiency, that quality will take precedence over excess, and that environmental credibility will determine trust. Sustainable profitability is no longer a slogan, it is already a condition for longterm viability.

The current buzz is therefore not just a cycle, but rather a stage of maturity. The mountain is transforming without renouncing its identity, innovating without losing its direction and progressing with a clear vision. This global dynamic is an opportunity, of course, starting with the opportunity to set high-altitude regions on an ambitious, coherent and responsible course.

In this context, the Olympic Games act as a catalyst and an accelerator. The Milano Cortina 2026 Games have just come to a close, praised for their quality and marked by a record French medal haul. As one door closes, another opens: that of the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. For our regions, for the entire sector, the stakes are higher than just the event itself. It involves a collective responsibility and a shared ambition: to demonstrate that operational excellence, technological innovation and environmental standards can coexist sustainably.

Innovation Book #6 is now available against this backdrop. Not to take stock, but to shed light on the strategies at work. Behind each project lies a demanding process. It is this equation that we have chosen to explore. Happy reading and enjoy the trade show.

Jérôme Riff MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ALPEXPO

Staffal, Italy ©Marek Piwnicki

INNOVATION BOOK IS PUBLISHED BY MOUNTAIN PLANET ALPEXPO

Publication Director: Jérôme Riff, Managing Director ALPEXPO, Grenoble’s events park

Press officer: Alexandre Bérard, Alternative Média

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GERANT : Claude BORRANI

SAVOIE Technolac 18, ALLÉE DU LAC ST ANDRÉ 73 382 LE BOURGET DU LAC CEDEX

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Editor-in-chief: Claude Borrani

Editorial

Marie-France Sarrazin - Catherine Foulsham

Jean-Christophe Sarrazin - Laurent Belluard

Translations UK et ALL : ACS Traduction

Art direction & design Séverine Béchet • studiosbdesign.fr

Advertising Fanny Marguet fanny@cosy-editions.com

Frequency: Annual

Legal Deposit: upon publication ISSN 2418-0297

Any reproduction or representation in whole or in part by any process whatsoever of the pages published in this magazine without the publisher’s permission is unlawful and constitutes an infringement. Only reproductions strictly reserved for the private use of the copier and not intended for collective use, and short quotations justified by the scientific or informative nature of the work in which they are incorporated, are authorised (art. L.122-4, L.122-5 and L.335-2 of the French Intellectual Property Code).

EDITION 2026

INNOVATION BOOK BY MOUNTAIN PLANET

WHAT’S NEW?

MOUNTAIN NEWS AND INNOVATIONS

INTERNATIONAL

MOUNTAIN PLANET

INDIA

Artificial glaciers to the rescue of crops

CHINA

High environmental value “mountain parks”

SWITZERLAND

Greenstyle: a comprehensive model for resorts in transition.

ITALY

The Dolomites: at the forefront of sustainable mountain tourism

AUSTRIA

Innovations that are reinventing ski resorts

DESIGN

The cable car: a story in motion...

URBAN MOBILITY

Urban cable transport: an opportunity for cities and manufacturers

LEADERSHIP

They keep the resorts running: women at the helm of ski resorts

STRATEGY

The question that looks ahead to 2040

A selection of leading figures from the ski lift and ski resort industry share their vision in the INNOVATION BOOK.

NATURAL INTELLIGENCE

FLEXION, REFLEXION

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Ski resorts in the AI age.

ANALYSIS

Mountains and health.

An avalanche of scientific studies.

PUBLICATION

“Mountains in transition”

What does the white paper published at the 14th edition of the Moving Mountains Forum in Les Diablerets (Valais, Switzerland) say?

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Reuse takes on the peaks.

ENVIRONMENT

Water & snow: finally understanding the figures and dispelling the myths

SAFETY

A challenge for the mountains of tomorrow. Enhanced prevention, revised training, on-board technologies, communication with users, flow management: French ski resorts are rolling out a comprehensive safety strategy.

TRAINING

The human challenge in the age of technology. Digitisation, skills development,versatility: the mountains are inventing the jobs of the future.

ARCHITECTURE & MOUNTAIN RENOVATION

Towards low carbon.

The mountains are giving rise to a new generation of simple, integrated architecture.

Interviews

Fabrice Pannekoucke, Nathalie Béranger, Marina Ferrari and Edgar Grospiron speak to INNOVATION BOOK.

FINAL CURTAIN

Mountain planet 2028 on the horizon.

WHAT’S NEW?

LATEST MOUNTAIN NEWS AND INNOVATIONS

Did you know?

MND is set to build the first energyneutral cable-car system in Saint-Denis (Réunion Island), called “Zèl La Montagne”. The principle involves generating power from solar panels fitted to the stations and recovering energy when the cable cars are heading downhill. The entire process is managed by a smart grid system. The ropeway will offer a wealth of advantages, such as a selfsufficient energy system, less road traffic, an active mobility solution available to everyone, a small footprint, and seamless integration into the local environment.

MND is set to build the first energy-neutral cable-car system on Réunion Island, called “Zèl La Montagne”. ©MND

Smartphone-based ski passes

Spurred on by the results of its trial last year, Compagnie des Alpes subsidiary Serre Chevalier has become the first large ski area to mainstream the use of ski passes involving the Bluetooth Low Energy technology. This innovative idea transforms smartphones into digital ski passes, meaning that skiers can contactlessly pass through the gates at any of the ski area’s 59 ski lifts. Bluetooth Low Energy sensors have been embedded in the new gates, which gives skiers hands-free access to the ski lifts without having to pull out and swipe their phone across a reader. They can simply leave their phone tucked away in one of their jacket’s left pockets. When skiers approach the gates, their phone is automatically detected, which ensures faster access and smaller queues, especially during peak hours. SCV Domaine Skiable and Italian company Alfi, a trailblazer in access control systems for ski areas, spent over three years developing and testing this technology in all kinds of conditions. The system boasts a long list of positives. For example, users can buy and download their ski pass online, which is then displayed directly in the Serre Chevalier app, waiting times are drastically reduced at ski lift gates, and the energy-efficient technology draws a mere 1-2% of the phone’s battery. Above all, the idea of phasing in smartphone-based ski passes cuts down on all the manufacturing and logistics operations involved in plastic passes and microchips, thereby shrinking the environmental footprint associated with skiing.

Using upward extension rights to renovate entire buildings

As from 2034, all furnished properties, including tourist accommodation, must feature an energy performance rating of at least D, otherwise they cannot be rented out. The problem is that 75% of all rental properties in the ski resorts only have a rating of E, F or G. The most effective way of resolving the situation is to renovate the entire building instead of just a single apartment. Abamo & co, which specialises in client consulting services, has lent its expertise to a number of iconic renovation projects, whether converting a former military barracks into a hotel in Briançon, or refurbishing hotels and condominiums in Les Arcs, Val d’Isère and Val Thorens. But renovating an entire building in the mountains can prove to be a costly venture. But a solution is available for covering all or part of the cost, which involves selling upward extension rights to a third party (where permitted by regulations and compatible with the building) with a sufficiently high price per square metre.

In Courchevel 1850, the Soleil Level condominium opted to go down this particular road with the necessary support from Abamo & co, which delivered an end-to-end service, from assessing the project’s technical feasibility and inviting tenders from property developers through to overseeing the design and leading the works. To finance half of the cost of upgrading the communal areas and improving the building’s thermal performance and aesthetic design, the 70-apartment condominium decided to add two additional storeys with three new apartments. Work was started in the autumn of 2024 and is due for completion in the summer of 2027.

Did you know?

The Snowmaster software from TechnoAlpin is designed to provide ski area operators with a real-time overview of their snowmaking schedule and performance, water and energy use, and equipment status. By cross-referencing the data in the ATASSpro management system with the WeatherForecast module, Snowmaster anticipates snow production potential and future resource requirements with incredible precision.

Snowmaster is the most sophisticated digital decision support solution that TechnoAlpin has developed for managing and improving snow production performance. ©TechnoAlpin

The Soleil Level condominium in Courchevel 1850 is financing part of its renovation by selling its upward extension rights to a third party. ©Abamo

Cervino The One

This is the name of the cableway project that will connect the centre of BreuilCervinia to Plateau Rosa/Testa Grigia in just over fifteen minutes. Modern 3S installations by Leitner will be used, similar to those already successfully operated by Zermatt Bergbahnen. The new facility will be built in two sections, with an intermediate station at Plan Maison. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026, further advancing the ambitious investment strategy pursued by the Aosta Valley in recent years.

Illustration of the new upper station at Plateau Rosa at 3,480 metres above sea level. ©Cervino

Freestanding courses

Altus, an expert in high wire adventure courses, is breaking new ground with its freestanding courses, which represent a quick and modular solution. These courses can be set up in just a few days without needing to be anchored to the ground and are capable of adapting to all flat surfaces. They can easily be moved or taken down as required. Whether zip lines, trampoline nets or fun bridges, these bespoke and customisable courses are available in three standard lengths (12, 24 and 36 metres).

These bespoke courses can be set up in just a few days and are capable of adapting to all flat surfaces. ©Altus

THE TOP 3 IN WORLD SKIING 2024–2025

1. United States

61,5 million skier days sold (+1,7%)

Source DSF

2. France

54,8 million skier days sold (+5,5%)

DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY: INNOVATION DRIVEN BY HTI

At Interalpin 2025, the HTI Group unveiled its new technological platform for detachable ropeways: Ropera. Bringing together the expertise of Leitner, POMA and Bartholet, this innovation represents a new milestone in the Group’s industrial convergence.

Conceived as a shared technological architecture, the Ropera range combines refined design, enhanced acoustic and energy performance, increased modularity and optimized maintenance operations, resulting in reduced servicing costs. Station layouts have been comprehensively re-engineered to further improve safety and working comfort for technicians. With 95% recyclable materials and a lifespan exceeding 40 years, Ropera also reflects a sustainability-driven approach embedded from the earliest design stages. The Glück six-seater chairlift in the Speikboden ski area (South Tyrol), inaugurated in December 2025, is the first installation to be commissioned on this new technological platform.

3. Austria

51,8 million skier days sold (+3,4%)

CRANE SNOW GROOMER FOR HARD-TO-REACH AREAS

Ensuring access to hard-to-reach areas is one of MHM’s specialities. The company has developed a snow groomer mounted with a Palfinger 17 t/m crane offering a reach capacity of 16 metres. It can be used all year round, whether for maintaining ski lifts, handling goods and materials, supporting logistics, or carrying out overhead and structural works. After receiving the seal of approval from a design office and sailing through an extensive testing programme, the vehicle clearly proved to be an invaluable asset when workers set about dismantling the Plan des Violettes chairlift in the resort of Les Arcs / Villaroger in April 2025.

The MHM crane snow groomer can be used when dismantling ski lifts.©MHM

©Partech

SECURING SKIS DURING ASCENTS

Skis that fall to the ground during gondola lift ascents are set to become a thing of the past. Partech has designed the retractable Ski Block, so that skiers can effortlessly and easily secure their skis inside the cabins. The retractable system folds upright when not in use to provide extra space in the cabin. A single press on the plastic section brings the clamp down to the horizontal position for holding the skis in place. Once the skis have been removed, the Ski Block automatically returns to its initial position using a simple system that does not require any adjustments or additional action. The materials used are suited to mountain conditions, i.e. cold, humidity and intensive use. The retractable Ski Block is currently under development and assessment, and Partech is aiming to progressively release the system into the market. There are prospects for adapting the Ski Block to fit different cabin models, as well as extensions so that the system can be used for other tourist applications all year round.

The backyard ultra concept hits the mountains

Full Moon Infinity is a popular sports event concept based on a single 6.7 km loop (like a backyard ultra race) where participants complete one, two, three, six, 12 or 28 laps. The challenge is a purely individual one, so there are no stopwatches or scoreboards involved, which encourages people of all ages to take part, whether in the summer or the winter. Setting up the event is deliberately intended to be simple, with a minimum level of organisation and few volunteers and resources needed. The single loop format can generate up to 28 hours of non-stop activity in the heart of the resort.

26

MILLION

This is the number of skier visits recorded at China’s domestic resorts during the 2024-2025 season (+12.9%) according to the «China Ski Industry White Paper 2024-2025» by Chinese consultant Benny Wu, which confirms the tremendous growth in the country’s skiing industry.

China now has 748 resorts in active service (including 66 indoor ski resorts) and 13.55 million skiers (+5.86%). Indoor ski resorts alone account for 21.61% of the country’s total skier numbers with 5.63 million visits, which represents a spectacular increase compared to previous years. China is now home to seven of the world’s top ten indoor ski resorts.

Such major destinations as Jilin, Hebei, Xinjiang, Heilongjiang and Beijing continue to be a major driving force for the country’s winter tourism industry.

EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR RESCUE TOBOGGANS

With a helping hand from the ski patrollers in Flaine, Ingelo has designed an automatic brake to keep users safe if they fall or lose control of their rescue toboggan. This device gradually brings the toboggan to a stop in the event of an emergency, without actually requiring users to change their habits. When everything is normal, the brake is disabled, so that the toboggan can slide through the snow both effortlessly and naturally. But if an incident occurs, a tug on the leash causes the braking system to spring into action. The brake’s claws lower into the snow, which brings the toboggan to a standstill and keeps the transported victim safe without any risk of drifting or skidding away. Tipping the scales at less than 3 kg, this easy-fit brake can be installed on existing toboggans without requiring any modifications.

This automatic brake keeps users safe if they fall or lose control of their rescue toboggan.©Ingelo

Doppelmayr is currently in talks with the STRMTG to introduce the Auro system into the French market.

©Doppelmayr

Webcams can even be fitted in the remotest areas.

©Skaping

IDEAL VIEWPOINT

Skaping, an expert in live webcams for the tourism industry, promises to deliver visual excellence and strikingly sharp images with its enhanced sensors, whatever the site’s topography. Skaping can overcome the last technical hurdles to reach the ideal viewpoint. Even if the best spot is nowhere near a power grid, Skaping has the solution to provide completely autonomous operation. Compact solar panels and discreet mounts carefully blended into the surrounding environment mean that cameras can be fitted where panoramic views are the most spectacular, however remote.

After automatic gondola lifts, Doppelmayr is now developing an unmanned chairlift

Back in 2007, Doppelmayr launched its concept for unmanned detachable gondola lifts in Val Thorens. This innovation meant that a single operator could use a video and safety system to control the resort’s two gondola lifts, as well as the Caron cable-car system. Several of these automatic gondola lifts have since been installed, including a new model for Val Thorens in October 2025. The company has taken this innovation one step further by developing an unmanned chairlift at the uphill station. “We took a close look at user behaviour over two seasons, and we used the findings to design a machine that could react to any type of situation,” explains Bernard Teiller, CEO of Doppelmayr France. “There’s a whole arsenal of cameras and sensors, and an AI-powered processing system to ensure that the installation can detect someone who has fallen over or a hazardous situation on arrival and automatically decide whether it should stop or slow down or if it can continue running. Unlike enclosed gondola lift cabins, these are open chairs, which makes the situation a lot more challenging. The first systems tested are entering their third season in operation, and there haven’t been any incidents.” The Auro system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) has already been deployed in Switzerland and Austria, where the authorities have issued the necessary operating permits. In addition to benefitting from a greater level of safety, ski lift companies can save up to 35% on their personnel costs with this innovative system (a single operator can manage several ski lifts). The company is currently in talks with the STRMTG (governmental department in charge of ropeway and guided transport safety) to introduce the Auro system into the French market, where several resorts have already expressed an interest in the solution. Bernard Teiller hopes that authorisation will be granted by 2028.

Did you know?

Thomas Chabert, a financial consultant for Compagnie des Alpes, came up with the idea of creating a mountain-themed board game called Skiiks, which shines the spotlight on the resorts across the French Alps. Some 10,000 copies have been released for sale since November 2025. Ultimately, he would like to develop several different versions of the game, specifically based on French resorts.

SMART HEATED GLOVES

These gloves offer a battery life of 2.5 to 5 hours, depending on the heat setting and outdoor temperature.

©Blåkläder

According to manufacturer Blåkläder, the Supreme Warm gloves boast a battery life of 2.5 to 5 hours. These insulated and waterproof heated gloves are the ideal solution for extremely cold environments. A button on the outside of the cuff can be used to select one of the three heat levels. The heating panels on the back of the hand automatically switch on/off when the glove is worn or removed. The gloves feature a long cuff with Velcro at the wrist, a drawstring at the end to prevent snow from getting inside, and a wrist strap to keep the gloves attached.

Eco-designed recycling bins

SunConseil produces sustainable and stylish recycling bins through its collaboration with Pavé®. Its bins are ideally suited to intensive use and designed to meet ski resorts’ recycling needs. In addition to their excellent technical performance and resin-free design, they are made from Reomat, a material derived from post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste. They are immune to UV light, humidity and temperatures up to 120°C. In addition, they are printable and machinable, thermoformable, water-resistant, visible, rugged and functional.

These recycling bins are made from Reomat, a material derived from post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste. ©SunConseil

GREATER ROAD SAFETY IN CALIFORNIA

As a partner for over 20 years to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for improving road safety throughout the State of California, MND Safety, an expert in preventing natural hazards, is set to roll out an array of new solutions along Highway 88 in the Carson Pass area, near Lake Tahoe. The Savoie-based company will install 12 inertial Gazex® systems during the summer, as well as several Gazflex® units to replace and supplement the existing equipment that has been in place for many decades. These installations will play an essential role in preventing avalanches and ensuring free-flowing traffic along the main roads. With operations in 30 countries, MND Safety also develops other standout projects around the world, such as Italy, France or Chile.

During the summer, MND Safety will install avalanche protection systems along California’s roads. ©MND

BOURG-D’OISANS–HUEZ CABLE LINK: THE SCOT HAS BEEN DEFINITIVELY ADOPTED.

€150 MILLION

This is the amount that POMA, the French expert in cable transport systems, has invested in its production assets and R&D over the last 10 years.

Approved unanimously by the Communauté de communes de l’Oisans (CCO), the inter-municipal authority bringing together municipalities including Le Bourg-d’Oisans and Huez, and now free from any legal challenge, the principle of the “valley lift” is legally secured. Environmental “four-season” surveys will now refine this €45 million project, designed to decarbonise access to Alpe d’Huez by 2032. Funding still needs to be consolidated and land issues resolved, against the backdrop of upcoming municipal elections. The project moves forward, but the road to commissioning remains long.

Eco-responsible maintenance

Busato by Chossade, a dealer for the Can-Am brand in France’s Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments, has unveiled the Can-Am electric ATV. Its caterpillar tracks mean that ski area maintenance crews can operate in every season. The allelectric powertrain guarantees a smooth and silent ride without generating any CO2 emissions, making it ideal for snow-covered terrain and sensitive tourist sites. The caterpillar tracks ensure excellent traction on snow.

This all-electric ATV from Can-Am is fitted with caterpillar tracks to ensure excellent traction on snow.©Busato by Chossade

Through its Italian subsidiary Xelom, the TechnoAlpin Group has spent three years developing a fully electric snow groomer called Snow Cat. It is capable of achieving up to five hours of continuous operation. ©Xelom

Silent, flexible and powerful

Through its Italian subsidiary Xelom, the TechnoAlpin Group has spent three years developing a fully electric snow groomer called Snow Cat, which was ultimately unveiled at last year’s Interalpin show. The vehicle boasts a compelling spec sheet, including silent operation, zero emissions, a modular design and excellent allterrain performance. The snow groomer is powered by a 300 kWh battery and a 300 kW fast charging system, with an operating time of up to seven hours when clearing snow. The vehicle can also be charged to 80% in only 45 to 60 minutes.

Initial feedback from industry professionals has been extremely positive. The Snow Cat delivers maximum performance at high altitudes and in extreme winter conditions.

Sustainable lighting

Engineered from Accoya© wood (Cradle to Cradle® Gold certification), stainless steel and aluminium, the Olam light column represents a sustainable outdoor lighting solution with its fully recyclable materials that are capable of withstanding the harshest weather conditions. The optical system guarantees controlled, precision lighting, which reduces light pollution and provides visual comfort for users. This DarkSky® product meets the most stringent criteria in terms of protecting the environment and wildlife. Olam will be marketed in April 2026.

©Aubrilam

$ 40 MILLION

This is the amount that Alterra Mountain Company is planning to plough into its resorts. Investments are primarily focused on transforming Deer Valley Resort (Utah) into one of the largest ski destinations in North America by doubling its size.

The investment programme also encompasses the group’s other resorts, with a new skier services facility in Snowshoe, a new chairlift at Crystal Mountain, new premium lounges in Stratton, Palisades Tahoe and Steamboat, an overhaul of the snowmaking infrastructure in Winter Park, and a refurbishment for the Westin Monache hotel at Mammoth Mountain. Alterra is also committed to investing in its employees by rolling out a healthcare programme for seasonal employees, extending the range of training courses for ski patrollers and ski lift operators, and scaling up its employee housing solutions.

ANALYSING AVALANCHE RISKS

Maccaferri has pioneered the HelloMac Snow system, which draws strength from the IoT technology to keep a close eye on snow depth and temperature variations in real time - two factors that are vitally important for assessing avalanche risks. The system includes a module that can be fitted to snow fencing for monitoring areas where snow is starting to build up and detect any movement of the snowpack. These devices can be used to activate warning systems and consequently improve safety for roads, pistes and infrastructure in avalancheprone areas.

HelloMac Snow keeps a close eye on snow depth and temperature variations in real time. ©Maccaferri

©Satna NG

Bio-toilets

Courchevel, Val Thorens, Tignes, La Plagne and Flaine are just some of the resorts that have decided to install Satna NG bio-toilets. These dry toilets are the ideal solution for remote areas, hard-to-reach zones and harsh climates without an existing sewer system. As an added advantage, they are immune to the risk of freezing. These bio-toilets function without any need for sawdust or litter due to their innovative gravity-powered filter and ventilation system (mains or solar) for treating organic matter. The final liquid, which is both colourless and odourless, can be discharged into the natural environment in full compliance with applicable regulations.

Giant swing

Analysing visitor flow patterns

As part of its determination to raise boarding safety for chairlift passengers, Bluecime began by developing the Sivao system for counting the number of passengers in each vehicle to ascertain the flow of people heading uphill. Subsequently, the company created a second system to analyse waiting times, while its third innovation, which is currently being rolled out across several resorts, is designed to analyse the flow of skiers and snowboarders hurtling down the pistes through the use of video sensors. All these solutions can be combined to accurately examine visitor flow patterns, manage and distribute the flows more effectively, and scale the equipment and facilities accordingly.

4 Experience has developed Balanc’Air, an oversize swing that produces freefall-like sensations followed by an intense pendulum movement. Featuring a minimal footprint and a reversible design, this swing stands on the cutting edge of engineering technology with its ultra-sturdy structure to withstand extreme climates and its automated winching system. La Clusaz is already the proud owner of one of these swings, and 4 Experience has every intention of exporting its home-grown expertise to city parks and the global outdoor leisure market.

What she said

«We need to dispel the illusion that resources are abundant. Having glaciers or heavier rainfall than on the plains is no guarantee that resources will last forever (…). The key lies in precision soil management, increased plant cover, and a collective and consistent approach to watersheds to sustainably reactivate the water cycles.»

JUDITH EECKMAN, doctor of engineering and consultant on hydrology and soil sciences in Mountain Trend Book no. 7

STYLISH, ECO-FRIENDLY LANE SEPARATOR

From its premises in south-eastern France, Michel Monin creates bespoke timber solutions, including a stylish, eco-friendly lane separator crafted from European larch that can be used to organise traffic and improve safety on roads and in car parks and pedestrian areas. This separator can easily be moved and even engraved for a personalised touch. The company also states that its other highlights include a “bracing system registered with the National Institute for Industrial Property that ensures the lane separator’s longitudinal stability without affecting its handling.” Michel Monin also uses highly resistant larch, which does not require autoclave treatment and therefore has no impact on the environment.

€ 40 MILLION

This is the amount that Spanish group Aramon, the main ski area operator in Aragon, has invested to guarantee early snow cover by the end of November and bring greater stability throughout the season.

This investment is reflected in the installation of more than 1,000 high-performance snowmaking machine, three additional hillside dams and four Snowfactory units designed by TechnoAlpin, which are capable of producing snow even when temperatures rise above the 0°C mark. These assets drive down energy use by 31% and run entirely from renewable electricity. The public authorities widely contributed to Aramon’s investment. Empowered by its new snowmaking capabilities, the group can state exactly when the ski area will open, and its ability to maintain snow cover will help keep local businesses busy throughout the season.

FRANCE HAS CLIMSNOW, WHILE SWITZERLAND HAS ITS SNOW COMPASS

As global warming marches on, where will people be able to ski in Switzerland in the year 2050? What will the conditions be like?

The Swiss Ski Lift Operators association, the Swiss tourist board and the Swiss association of tourism managers commissioned Météo Suisse, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich to answer this question. Their efforts culminated in the Swiss Compass platform, which is designed to provide tourism industry professionals, political authorities and the general public with a clearer idea of how snow conditions are likely to evolve by 2050-2060.

Martine Rebetez, Professor of Climatology at the University of Neuchâtel and WSL, has reported an “average temperature increase of 0.5°C in Switzerland every 10 years” and an “average loss of nine snow days, with two thirds occurring at the end of the season.”

Just like Climsnow in France, Snow Compass provides valuable insights for guiding resorts with their strategies and helping public authorities direct their financial aid towards the right areas. The platform has also uploaded a series of proposals for adapting to climate change.

Axess ALPHA GATE 700:

teama xess.com

Broadband connectivity

Several homes and businesses still do not have access to the fibre network. In the meantime, Nordnet is offering the Neosat satellite broadband service.

Neosat for satellite broadband connectivity. ©Nordnet

Outdoor sports structures

MAXIMUM AGILITY

Singing Rock has developed a new modular harness for mountain rescue missions, ski lift evacuations and helicopter-supported operations. Rescue Master combines ultra-light and breathable padding with an ergonomic design for easy movement on the ground and efficient work at height.

Rondino is offering a new line of outdoor sports structures (with up to eight modules for each structure) specifically designed for working on cardio, muscle development, agility and balance. Covering a surface area from 22 to 45 sqm, they include such modules as a sit-up board, a horizontal bar, a climbing ladder and a smooth rope, and are suitable for all proficiency levels. They are designed and manufactured in France using local wood sourced from PEFC-certified forests. Each installation contains connected signs with explanatory panels and QR codes that users can scan to see demo videos.

Structures can include up to eight modules for working on cardio, muscle development, agility and balance. ©Rondino

2030

THE COST BEHIND THE 2030 WINTER OLYMPICS IN THE FRENCH ALPS

€3.5 billion: this is the combined amount of the long-term budgets allocated by the Organising Committee and Solideo (organisation responsible for delivering the Olympic Games infrastructure), with 40% covered by the public authorities.

€2.132 billion: the Organising Committee’s budget, with 74% from private resources (sponsors, contributions from the IOC, ticket sales, etc.) and 26% from public contributions (government and the two host regions).

€1.4 billion: the estimated amount of all investments in infrastructure, with oversight provided by Solideo, whose budget amounts to €800 million from public funds (€587 million financed by the government and two host regions, with the rest covered by local authorities) and €80 million from reserve funds. ©Sylvain Aymoz

Disinfection

Skis, helmets, protective gear and textiles are used by countless visitors every day, which explains why they are a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and unpleasant odours. Launched in April 2026, Vyper ProClean is designed to guarantee flawless hygiene levels for all shared equipment with its ozone, UV-C and heat-based disinfection technology. This waterless and chemical-free process is capable of eliminating up to 99.99% of micro-organisms in 12 minutes without leaving any harmful residue behind.

EXPLOR GAMES® INVESTIGATION

Using replay value to improve course performance

How can ski resorts avoid courses offering just one theme?

Drawing its inspiration from Cluedo, the Explor’Games® Investigation concept developed by Atelier Nature randomly generates a scenario from 216 possible combinations when starting each new game. The investigation includes a mix of physical and observation challenges chosen in real time, which guarantees a different experience during each visit. The immersive narration is superimposed over existing structures, such as aerial net courses, which is a powerful way of building visitor loyalty and giving mountain sites even greater appeal all year round, without needing a dedicated team of employees.

This hybrid solution enhances and maximises the value of existing leisure facilities, such as the net courses at Croix de Bauzon.

Supportive resorts

Mutual support between ski area operators features high on the priority list for Anne Marty, President of Domaines Skiables de France (DSF). The principle involves delivering tangible support to the DSF association’s most vulnerable members. The Solidarity Committee chaired by Fabrice Boutet, CEO of the Sata Group, has already achieved significant headway within the space of a year.

A solidarity officer is assigned to each geographical sector to identify vulnerabilities or any resorts in need of support. The 100 smallest ski resorts in France are allocated a dedicated budget, which they can use to enlist

service providers to offer them individual support when drafting their agreements and contracts. Other benefits include locally shared means and resources, measures to simplify administrative procedures for small resorts, and the introduction of a mentoring system between operators. At the same time, DSF has opened discussions with other interested parties in the mountain industry (National Association of Mayors in Mountain Resorts, National Union of French Ski Instructors, National Association of Elected Officials in Mountain Regions, suppliers, sports movements, sports retailers, etc.) on the prospect of setting up the first

sector-wide think tank for ski resorts. “At the same time, we’re pushing ahead with our flagship actions. The first that comes to mind is Nivalliance, which is our insurance policy to provide cover for climaterelated hazards. This unique supportive initiative, which is financed entirely by all French ski areas, paid out €455,330 to eight ski lift companies to support them in the wake of the 2024/25 winter season. There are also classified ads for selling, donating and recovering used equipment,” explains Anne Marty.

Low-impact leisure activities

With its subsidiary MBS, MND is currently moving forward with its Trek 12 project in Les Sybelles. This board game-themed outdoor attraction features a number of wooden installations, fun activities, a supporting app, and seamless integration into the natural environment, including zip lines, sensory trails, giant swings and panoramic viewpoints. As such, this low-impact project reduces land take to a minimum and blends into the landscape. In addition, it can be used by everyone all year round. The programme can be replicated in other areas with a different theme.

to get Narvik ready for the World Ski Championships

The operator of the ski area in Narvik (Norway) is investing €53 million as it starts preparing to host the World Ski Championships in 2029. During last year’s Interalpin show, the ski area signed an agreement with Leitner, Prinoth and Demaclenko to build a gondola lift, a chairlift and three surface lifts. An order has also been placed for around 100 snowmaking machine and 12 snow groomers.

KFX REVOLUTIONISES WORK FOR SNOW GROOMER DRIVERS

KFX, the new quick attachment system for tillers developed by Kässbohrer, is revolutionising everyday life for snow groomer drivers. The rear accessories can be mounted or detached in less than 30 seconds, meaning that PistenBully machines can be used even more effectively. Over the course of a season, KFX can save hundreds of hours of work and improve fuel consumption by as much as 20% by reducing the vehicle’s weight. The tiller can be automatically attached and detached without drivers leaving the vehicle, which increases efficiency, lowers costs, boosts comfort and enhances safety. KFX encourages drivers to remove the tiller more often when not required, which eases the load on the main chassis and tool holder, and improves manoeuvrability in tight spaces. Shedding any excess weight also has the effect of giving the snow groomer greater pushing and climbing power.

Close to €31 million

When it comes to preparing the Monts Jura resort for the future, authorities in the Ain department and the Pays de Gex agglomeration community clearly do not believe in half measures. They have mobilised a €30.9 million package over four years to broaden the range of activities on offer, provide more facilities for beginners, and upgrade the ski lifts. Basically, the idea is to create a thriving resort all year round at a time when climate change is increasingly making its presence felt. Another reason is that Monts Jura is a major contributor to the local tourism economy with 240,000 visitors and 7,500 overnight stays in 2024. Even though the winter season accounts for 85% of the resort’s revenue, the summer season is gaining ground with a broad array of activities tailored to every profile, whether families, athletes or thrill-seekers, such as a zip line, a rail sled, theme-based trails, paintball, nature outings and, coming soon, slide trails, all of which reflect the local area’s cultural heritage. The resort is hoping to narrow the gap between the winter and summer seasons, with the aim of reaching a 70% / 30% split.

The activities on offer in the Monts Jura resorts are wide enough to appeal to every section of the public. ©Monts Jura

SMART MONITORING

Italian company Tokbo specialises in developing leadingedge systems for predictively monitoring infrastructure and facilities. As such, it is capable of providing ski lift operators with solutions that can streamline their maintenance costs and minimise stoppages and downtime. Its smart monitoring system transforms bolted assemblies into communicating components that help improve safety and ensure operational continuity. Tokbo’s system targets the main cable transport equipment, whether hangers, seats, cabins, motors or cable trolleys. It detects clamping forces, vibrations, accelerations, temperatures and incline angles in real time, and streams the data to a dedicated cloud platform.

The Italian company has fitted its sensors to the reduction gear of the Mount Etna cable car. ©Tokbo

THE MEGA SKI RESORT IN CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan has clear designs on building a huge ski resort to rival the world’s leading destinations. The principle involves creating a huge interconnected ski area by combining existing resorts and building new ones. Almaty Super Ski promises between 300 and 700 kilometres of pistes for both novices and seasoned skiers, 58 chairlifts (compared to just 16 currently in the central zone), and facilities that can accommodate up to 34,000 skiers per day (vs. today’s capacity of 6,000). Almaty Super Ski is committed to forging its reputation as a sustainable destination with the most innovative technologies and a range of activities all year round, featuring a mix of winter sports and summer leisure activities, as well as city tourism by making the most of the nearby city of Almaty.

PROTECTING AGAINST LIGHTNING STRIKES

For 28 years, Edera, an expert in work at height solutions, has been shielding buildings and infrastructure against the threat of lightning strikes. Far from being immune to such risks, mountain sites are especially exposed, since they are at threat of the direct impact of a potential fire outbreak or the indirect effects from power surges, which could damage electrical equipment.

Edera develops and installs best-fit solutions for protecting sites, including Helita lightning conductors and arresters. Based in France’s RhôneAlpes region, the company also provides inspection and maintenance services for existing facilities.

Edera protects sites against the threat of lightning strikes. ©Edera

Shymbulak is currently the region’s flagship resort. ©Shymbulak mountain resort

Did you know?

In France, 73% of customers go alpine skiing during their stay at a winter ski resort.

Source France Montagnes

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A single point of contact. Every service covered. We support you as partner of choice - from the first idea to final execution.

LIFE: POMA’S OPERATIONALLY FOCUSED APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE

With LIFE (Large Impact for Efficiency), POMA sets out an approach that goes beyond technical performance alone, fully integrating operational efficiency, maintenance optimisation and long-term economic and environmental sustainability — all aimed at delivering an enhanced experience in both mountain and urban environments. Developed by the Group’s French engineers and co-designed alongside lift operators, the LIFE range places strong emphasis on energy efficiency, reduced noise impact and eco-design principles, with 95% recyclable components. It also incorporates a comprehensive focus on operational safety and workplace security, supported by optimised station ergonomics, improved equipment accessibility and a technical layout specifically engineered to ensure safe interventions throughout the installation’s lifecycle. Smart system management enhances day-today operations, while factory pre-cabling helps secure and shorten onsite installation phases. Station design has likewise been engineered to limit concrete volumes and structural requirements, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint of the installation without compromising performance or robustness.

The first LIFE gondola lift was commissioned in late 2025 at Courchevel 1850, in Les Chenus — one of the Group’s first installations to integrate this new-generation technological platform. A further installation is scheduled this year in La Clusaz.

The former Chenus gondola lift in Courchevel has been replaced with the all-new range designed by POMA.. ©Poma

All-terrain electric scooter

Since 2008, TROTRX has been manufacturing all-terrain scooters designed by former professional downhill MTB rider Christian Taillefer, a European champion and world championship medallist. The scooter features a blend of Alpine engineering, rugged materials, high performance and durability. An electric version is also available for undulating terrain. TROTRX, which won the Innovation Award in 2022, is being marketed in France and abroad.

This all-terrain scooter has been designed by former professional downhill MTB rider Christian Taillefer. ©TROTRX

Digital maintenance

Rollercoasters operate 365 days a year, whatever the weather conditions, so safety, reliability and effective maintenance are mission-critical.

The Sunkid Mountain Coaster 2.0 works with the MOCO pro app, which brings total control over the process for managing and maintaining the ride’s toboggans. Operators can keep a watchful eye on the status and operation of each toboggan. The app streamlines diagnostics, maintenance and error reports, which is key to guaranteeing safe and effective operation. MOCO pro raises the bar on safety, reduces downtime, accelerates troubleshooting, extends maintenance intervals, and lowers lifecycle costs. The app has already been put into action in Chamrousse and Bernex.

Operators can keep a watchful eye on the status and operation of each toboggan on the Sunkid Mountain Coaster with the app. ©Kilian Lahais

THE GOUVERNAIL 360-DEGREE WAYFINDER

The Gouvernail has been designed to provide pedestrians with a clear and intuitive interface for finding their way, which can often be an issue in the mountains. This mechanical wayfinder does not require any connections or power sources. Users simply turn the map dial until their destination is lined up in front of them, which they can then find more easily on their GPS navigation app.

The upsides include improved spatial awareness, free-flowing pedestrian traffic, greater user independence, and the opportunity to draw attention to the resort’s services and amenities during both the summer and winter seasons, while reducing the environmental impact caused by digital or energy-intensive solutions. The solution has already been rolled out at 50 public sites and tourist hotspots, where it has met with a positive response.

©PIC BOIS

What he said

«New resorts are starting to become something of a rarity, although they are being built in China where the equipment is now made in the country, and in Russia where Western suppliers are now banned from operating. In emerging countries (and elsewhere for that matter), efforts are a lot more focused on developing urban or tourism projects as a way of anticipating the future.»

LAURENT VANAT,

an international expert in the ski resort business, and author of the annual International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism.

The Gouvernail received the “Janus de la Cité” award from the French Institute for Design in 2022.

Bespoke galleries for escalators

With more than 4,200 moving carpets installed around the world over the last 30 years, Austrian company Sunkid, an expert in all-season leisure equipment, has achieved world leadership status in the conveyor lift market. When they were first invented, magic carpets were intended for skiers, but they have since spread to bike parks, sledge runs, golf courses and water parks. Last year, Sunkid designed a bespoke gallery for Gransnow Okuibuki. The Japanese ski resort has invested in Snow Warp escalators to make it easier for visitors to walk from the car park to the main ski lift station, especially since the walk involves a 22-metre height difference. For even greater comfort, the resort’s owners wanted the escalators to be completely covered, but they were unable to find a local supplier who could create a suitable gallery for covering the two parallel escalators. Acting through its subsidiary Bruckschlögl GmbH, Sunkid rose to the challenge and designed special transitions made from thin sheet metal. When night falls, the LED strips embedded in the gallery’s aluminium arches come to life.

IMPROVED WORKSITE PERFORMANCE

Touch2build, a digital solution that combines a mobile app with a web interface, helps construction professionals save time, improve communication and reduce mistakes at the worksite. The solution has been designed by construction engineers to simplify the process of managing worksites and tracking work progress by providing access to all the project’s documents from anywhere using a mobile device. Reports, comments and defect lists can be issued from the construction site without wasting a single minute.

This solution for construction firms saves time improves communication and reduces mistakes.

©Touch2build

€350 MILLION

On average, French ski areas invest €350 million every year, representing between 25% and 30% of their revenue. Ski lifts top the investment list (over 50%).

Source DSF

ENHANCED MAPS

Static tourist maps, whether paper or digital, have had their day. Serre Chevalier, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Baqueira Beret (Spain) have taken the plunge and adopted Itinemap, an “interactive map with similar features to Google Maps” for enhancing the customer experience, simplifying infrastructure management processes, and keeping track of how their facilities are being used. Itinemap promises ski areas that they can “unlock their full potential through scalable maps with marketing features, real-time information, searches, GPS functionality, itineraries and data, while cutting down on paper pollution.” The solution connects to the legacy digital ecosystem with its API and administration site. Itinemap offers a wealth of advantages to visitors, such as easily finding their bearings by seeing their position on the map in real time, finding out which pistes and ski lifts are open or closed, receiving a personalised itinerary based on their proficiency level and according to sunshine and footfall levels, and locating a restaurant or other point of interest. Itinemap is undergoing further development to encompass Nordic skiing, hiking, bike parks and tourist sites.

Skiing permits

Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 has developed a fun new educational area in the Les Airelles sector, featuring an immersive journey to teach all skiers how they can enjoy a safer experience on the pistes. The area contains a number of theme-based zones covering such subjects as signs and markings, speed, rules of conduct, first aid, and snow and weather-related risks. The aim is to drive home the rules for responsible skiing using a tangible, interactive approach. To obtain their skiing permit, skiers need to complete the multiple-choice questionnaire on the flyer and watch a video report.

CLUSTER MONTAGNE, CONNECTING BUSINESSES AND REGIONS

Meeting the development needs of businesses on the one hand and those of mountain regions on the other, and creating a win-win relationship between them, is one of the missions of Cluster Montagne, led by Pierre-François Adam, Head of Foresight, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Entrepreneurship.

To achieve this, a clear understanding of current challenges is essential. “Recently, these have revolved around the safety of visitors and workers, natural hazards, climate change — which inevitably impacts operators’ activities — attractiveness and service quality, the integration of new technologies, and water resources and how they are shared. Foresight enables us to raise awareness within our network of companies about what lies ahead and to assess whether they are capable of providing solutions to these issues,” explains Pierre-François Adam.

This leads to the second step: supporting project leaders in developing and refining their ideas.

“Together with Village by CA des Savoie, Incubateur Savoie Technolac and French Tech Alpes, we created the Alpes Tourisme Lab incubator. It offers three weeks of immersion in the mountain ecosystem, meeting key stakeholders and understanding their challenges, alongside coaching, advisory and support sessions. The aim is for participants to validate — or not — the relevance of their solution by the end of the programme.”

In 2025, six start-ups joined the incubator to develop

projects focusing on seasonal worker accommodation, the repurposing of former snow groomers, snow cover management, and electric vehicle charging within tourist accommodation.

Before bringing a product to market, a testing phase is required within an “innovation territory”.

In Tignes, for example, several construction companies that are members of Cluster Montagne hope to experiment with Synergi’Réno, a comprehensive solution they have designed to scale up the renovation of co-owned properties in mountain areas.

In Saint-François-de-Sales, the management of the former cross-country skiing centre has recently been taken over by the founder of an engineering consultancy specialising in tourism transition. Nordicéa effectively serves as a medium-altitude experimentation site addressing attractiveness with or without snow, across all four seasons. Nordicéa has partnered with Natural Break to offer short-stay tourist accommodation that “reflects the destination’s DNA and respects the environment”. These eco-friendly cottages will be installed in the spring.

To go further, Cluster Montagne has been publishing its Trend Guide for the past eight years as part of its forward-looking approach, and provides Cluster Montagne Solutions, a digital platform gathering all the tools offered by its members.

Each year, Cluster Montagne organises a major event to launch its Montagne[s] Trend Guide.

©Cluster Montagne

A swift and safe response for dealing with avalanches

During the winter, IVAQ launched its dronemounted IVAQ Finder system, which is capable of autonomously locating avalanche beacons (457 kHz transceivers). The system shares the data with search and rescue teams in real time over a 4G connection. IVAQ Finder delivers a swift and safe response in the event of an avalanche, with its ability to accelerate searches, reduce the need for a helicopter, and minimise the ground teams’ exposure to the risk of a second avalanche. The solution has already been put into action alongside the mountain rescue crews in MéribelMottaret. It is embedded in DJI Enterprise drones and designed to operate in high-altitude conditions. IVAQ Finder can be deployed in less than a minute and is controlled using a web app on any device.

CONSTRUCTION WORK PROGRESSES ON UKRAINE’S GORO MOUNTAIN RESORT DESPITE

THE WAR

The war in Ukraine is not stopping the Okko Group’s project from moving forward. Ever since work was launched in the autumn of 2024, significant headway has been achieved in the project to build the GORO Mountain Resort, which lies at an altitude of 650 metres in the Lviv Carpathians. Spanning a total surface area of 1,200 hectares, there are plans to allocate 360 hectares for skiing and 800 hectares for 25 hotels as well as commercial and recreational facilities, which will be open all year round.

As far as skiing is concerned, the resort will offer 41 pistes totalling 75 km, two gondola lifts and 11 chairlifts. Phase 1 (the project comprises three phases) began in 2024 and is due for completion in 2028-2029. Work has already started on building the reception centre and the departure station for one of the gondola lifts. The total investment for developing the GORO Mountain Resort is estimated at $1.5 billion. Of this amount, Okko Group plans to inject $500 million from its own funds and raise $1 billion from other investors.

Ukraine’s future resort will boast 41 pistes, representing 75 km of ski runs. ©Goro Mountain Resort

SKIING ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANYWHERE

SkiMachine produces indoor ski simulators, so that skiers anywhere can indulge their passion all year round. Training with simulators offers an alternative to glacier skiing during the summer, which helps lower the environmental impact caused by travel. The piste uses a treadmill covered with a ProSnow® carpet that mimics real snow, with slalom projectors, and adjustable speed and incline levels to suit the skier’s proficiency. SkiMachine is planning to extend the concept to include Nordic skiing.

The company produces indoor ski simulators. ©SkiMachine

Changes to the MND Group’s governance team

French industrial group MND, an expert in ropeways, snowmaking systems, mountain safety and sensational leisure infrastructure, has made changes to its governance team.

After 15 years’ commitment to the group, Roland Didier is retiring and consequently stepping down as CEO. Edouard Barret, 41, is joining the Executive Committee as Group Head of Sales, Marketing & Communication. He holds a degree with a double major in industrial engineering and mechanical engineering, with specialisation in industrial processes.

Did you know?

The idea for mega or multi-resort ski passes originated in the United States back in 2008, and they are now used by half of all visitors to US resorts. The concept has reached Europe, but in a different, more cooperative form that promotes greater accessibility and inclusion. A prime example is the Magic Pass, which grants access to the ski lifts in close to 100 destinations across Switzerland, France and Italy, while supporting small resorts.

L’ENNEIGEMENT

BASÉ SUR L’ANALYSE

DES DONNÉES : PLUS D’INTELLIGENCE, DE PERFORMANCES ET DE DURABILITÉ

Conception et optimisation des installations, pilotage de la production

Low tyre pressure warning

Underinflated chairlift tyres can explode and also cause chair spacing and rope slip problems, which can compromise safety and lead to expensive shutdowns. The wireless TPMS system from Promata reduces maintenance (eliminating the need for manual inspections) and corrects underinflated tyres on chairlifts and gondola lifts. It uses sensors to monitor tyres in real time and sends warning alarms 24/7. After installing the system, a Melbournebased customer found that 145 of its tyres were underinflated by 14% to 38%.

HIGH-WIRE THRILLS

The Cyclone ride from A&P Projects is the perfect solution for mountain resorts looking to broaden their range of services and attractions. The concept involves riding through the air along a zip line, which can be adapted to suit different layouts. The solutions from A&P Projects are guaranteed to give visitors an adrenaline rush, such as its straight and curved zip lines, while treating them to panoramic views.

Now visitors can cycle through the air along a zip line. ©A&P-Projects

New-generation Devalkart

Motor-free Devalkarts, a cross between a sled and an all-terrain kart, can be used on mud, tarmac, grass and even snow. Produced since the 1990s, these karts are now being given a new lease of life as they prepare to win over mid and high-altitude resorts looking to diversify their selection of activities. The new model has been restyled by a designer and engineering consultancy, without losing any of its stability, sturdiness, fun, accessibility and family appeal. The upgraded version offers greater comfort and features a recycled plastic shell. As an added bonus, the karts are made in France. Devalkarts, the flagship product of the 1990s, have been given a makeover. ©Dévalkart

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS

Outdoor éducation designs bike facilities and infrastructure, in addition to creating trails and features for mountain bike parks. Its MTB ramp modules for modern bike parks are engineered to deliver high performance and durability, while respecting the environment. Their corten steel structure guarantees long-term strength, while the larch decking blends harmoniously into the Alpine landscape.

Made for full-suspension MTBs with a shorter wheelbase, its modular and scalable designs are suitable for all proficiency levels. The raw, untreated materials protect the ground, lower maintenance requirements and ensure easier repairs.

Inclusive play areas

Although playgrounds are now accessible to children with disabilities, there are no inclusive obstacle course or slalom modules on the market that meet EN 1176 or EN 16630 requirements. Drawing on the recommendations issued by the French Federation of Disability Sport, feedback from experts and prototypebased tests, playground manufacturer Proludic has designed four inclusive play area modules that can be installed separately or added to existing courses (gangways, seesaws, obstacle trails and slaloms).

Did you know?

Ski area investments around the world have been setting new records, with €568 million in France (i.e. 34% of their pre-tax revenue), €450 million in Austria, €330 million in Switzerland and €250 million in Italy in 2024.

From smart rope to greater operational performance

Teufelberger develops solutions to improve the reliability and durability of city and alpine cable-car systems. Solitec® XD, which has been specifically designed for demanding applications, illustrates the company’s determination to significantly reduce noise and vibrations as well as extend the ropeway service life by developing an improved rope design. This innovation also increases comfort for passengers and enhances operational safety. At the same time, the AIM Alliance (Alliance for Intelligent Rope Monitoring) offers a smart rope monitoring system, combining AI-powered image analysis, magnetic-induction testing and geometric rope measurements. This solution continuously monitors and objectively assesses the ropeway’s condition, which helps detect any damage earlier, reduces downtime and improves equipment availability. Solitec® XD and AIM confirm Teufelberger’s status as a global player with expertise spanning the entire cable-car system lifecycle, from production through to continuous monitoring.

THE POMA CLIMB, 90 YEARS HIGHER

IN 1936, A SKI LIFT. IN 2026, A WORLD BENCHMARK. CHRONICLE OF A FRENCH INDUSTRIAL BOOM.

Every ascent begins with a first step. For Jean Pomagalski, it was the installation of a ski lift at Alpe d’Huez in 1936. The Grenoble-based engineer was not looking for greatness, but for a solution that would make climbing easier and safer. He didn’t know it yet, but this invention would take his name far beyond the Alps.

Ninety years later, the company born of this intuition transports 6.5 million people an hour through more than 8,000 facilities in 90 countries. In 2024, POMA had sales of 520 million euros, 70% of which came from exports, and employed 1,650 people, most of whom were based in the AuvergneRhône-Alpes region. It’s a path that’s been steadily built up.

POMA’s rise to prominence has never been the result of a spectacular break. It has grown from strength to strength, combining technical innovation, industrial expertise and strong local roots. From Alpine resorts to urban lines, cable has become a strategic tool for sustainable mobility. This elevation is embodied in works that have become emblematic. The Vanoise Express in Haute Tarentaise, a double-cabin feat linking Les Arcs to La Plagne. The Roosevelt Island aerial tramway in New York, suspended over the East River. The cable car on Mount Huashan in China, perched on one of the steepest mountains in Asia. The new 3S Jandri in Les 2 Alpes, a concentrate of three-cable technology.

Also in France, the Valléen in Saint-Gervais, a link between urban and mountain areas; the «Glaciers» line in La Plagne; and the Prodains Express in Avoriaz. Internationally, the Medellín metro cables (Línea K and J), the Ajaccio - Angelo urban line, the Chiatura installations in Georgia, Mokpo in South Korea, Yên Tử in Vietnam, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Over the last ten years, €150m has been invested in production facilities and R&D. 83 patents are currently active. The LIFE range is the ultimate expression of this dynamic. Developed by the Group’s French engineers and co-designed with farmers, it is part of the LIFE R’way approach, combining technical performance, environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness. Eco-designed, incorporating 95% recyclable components and optimised for operation and maintenance, LIFE embodies a new generation of facilities designed to meet future climate and regulatory requirements.

By 2030, POMA is aiming for an 80/20 balance between its historic core and new activities. Already positioned in operations and maintenance, with 30 contracts in progress and an order book of €250m by 2025, the group is asserting its integrated model, guaranteeing an availability rate of over 99.5%. Ninety years on, the direction remains the same: moving forward.

Alpe d’Huez, 1936. Jean Pomagalski put the first ski lift into service under the watchful eye of the authorities and the locals.

A wooden structure, a few cables and the decisive idea: to mechanise the climb. The first patent for this invention, filed by Jean Pomagalski on 06 March 1936, was entitled “Device for the progressive starting of a load driven by a cable moving at constant speed”. ©Poma

2025 Investments in French Ski Areas: Key Takeaways

According to the annual survey conducted by Montagne Leaders magazine, in partnership with Atout France and DSF, French ski areas committed €555 million in investments in 2025. This figure is broadly in line with 2024 levels, stands 50% above the ten-year average, and represents 32% of the sector’s net turnover (excluding VAT), nine percentage points higher than the decade-long mean.

Lifts: A Continued Structural Commitment

With €281 million invested, new lift installations account for half of total expenditure. Of the 48 installations recorded, half are conveyor lifts, reflecting a clear strategic focus on beginner areas and broadening the customer base. The 24 major lift systems (gondolas, chairlifts and surface lifts) show an average investment of €11 million per unit, underscoring increasingly complex projects with stronger architectural integration.

Mountain Facilities: A Strategic Shift

€62 million has been allocated to mountain restaurants and multi-service facilities — a sharp increase compared with historical averages. These infrastructures are now conceived as genuine economic drivers, designed to enhance the customer journey, extend dwell time, and generate additional revenue streams in both winter and summer seasons.

Investment allocation by category (€m)

Maintenance and Operational Optimisation on the Rise

More than 220 upgrade and maintenance operations, representing €71 million, were undertaken to extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure and improve operational performance, against a backdrop of rising costs and tightening regulatory requirements.

A Strongly Alpine Investment Geography

Savoie leads with €230.26 million, followed by Haute-Savoie (€84 million), Isère (€80.16 million) and the Southern Alps (€71.84 million). The Pyrenees account for €34.9 million, while the Vosges, Jura and Massif Central remain at more modest levels. Beyond the headline figures, 2025 confirms a strategic evolution: more selective investments, increasingly multipurpose in design, and conceived as instruments of economic resilience for mountain regions.

The full survey can be found in issue no. 312 (January/February 2026) of Montagne Leaders, avalable by subscription or at www.montagneleaders.fr.

€281,267,960

€29,189,339

€41,574,599

€46,561,000

€4,597,283

€40,391,807

€7,115,789

€3,004,740

€18,615,093

€4,056,502

€20,271,183 MARKETINGDIGITAL

€1,751,620

Mid-altitude resorts like

replacing their

The Mountains Are Changing, So Are the Facilities

Behindthe €555 million invested in 2025, 50 new installations signal a clear shift in paradigm: improved interconnectivity, a move upmarket in lift systems, and the widespread adoption of four-season operations. Around ten of these projects stand out for their particular scale and ambition.

• Altitude 3300 in L’Alpe d’Huez: Sata Group is planning to replace six strategic ski lifts by 2030 to streamline connections between Pic Blanc at 3,300 m and the ski area’s five resorts. In 2025, POMA replaced the Poutran gondola lift and Rif Nel hybrid lift with new gondola lifts. This policy is designed to provide all visitors with a more seamless, comfortable and accessible experience in every season.

• Combloux: the Beauregard chairlift has been replaced with a 10-seater detachable gondola lift worth €14 million, which not only improves boarding safety for children but also ensures year-round use.

• Les Arcs: the Replat and Plan des Violettes chairlifts have made way for the €19m Villaroger gondola lift, which has slashed the travel time between Villaroger (1,200 m) and Plan des Violettes (2,119 m) by a third. The operator is clearly anticipating the future and overcoming any reliance on snow conditions by installing gondola lifts that leave from the villages instead of using chairlifts. This also means that they can be used by everyone, whatever the season.

• Méribel: the Côte Brune chairlift has been replaced with a nextgeneration Leitner 10-seater gondola lift, worth €25 million, which runs between Méribel-Mottaret, Val Thorens and Les Ménuires. This lift is faster, smoother and kinder to the environment, since the number of towers has been reduced by 11.

• Val Thorens: the Cime Caron cable car has reopened with two new cabins, thereby restoring direct access to the iconic summit that culminates at an altitude of 3,200 m, as well as the new

Caron 3200 multi-service building inaugurated last winter. The resort has also splashed out on a new Doppelmayr 10-seater gondola lift called Face Nord, which replaces the old Glacier and Col chairlifts. The gondola lift provides direct access to the Asters and Face Nord pistes, and creates a strategic connection with the Orelle sector via the Lory blue piste, which can be used by everyone. Value: €15 million.

• Crest-Voland: in a bid to diversify its business model and cater for all sections of the public in every season, the resort has replaced the Logère chairlift with a POMA gondola lift connecting 1,220 m to 1,595 m.

• Orcières-Merlette: the new La Muande six-seater detachable chairlift designed by POMA, which leaves from the Drapeaux snow front and arrives between Les Lauzières and Méollion, is capable of whisking visitors to the summit in six minutes in greater comfort. This new chairlift builds on the resort’s ambition of streamlining its range of ski lifts, since it replaces three ageing and energyintensive ski lifts. It also requires fewer towers, which creates more space for skiing.

• La Plagne: with the aim of ensuring free-flowing traffic and providing easier access to the high-altitude areas, the layout for the new Roche de Mio (€45 million) gondola lift built by POMA has been revised, including an intermediate station at Col de Forcle (2,273 m) before continuing to Roche de Mio (2,739 m). This stop-off increases the choice of itineraries and gives visitors an easier way of returning to the Plagne Bellecôte / Belle Plagne sector, or switching over to the south slope of Champagny-en-Vanoise.

• Courchevel: POMA has swapped out the old Chenus gondola lift with a new model featuring 10-seater cabins and offering double the capacity. The departure station is now separate from the Les Verdons station in order to ease congestion. Cost: €25m.

INNOVATION VOICE

SOLITEC®

XD & AIM

When cable engineering meets data intelligence.

Mechanical strength used to be the only criterion when assessing the performance of an urban or mountain cable car-system, but acoustic comfort, dynamic stability and the ability to anticipate wear have since been added to the list. The Solitec® XD rope designed by Teufelberger-Redaelli reflects this change. Its enhanced construction (stabilised geometry, nearly round surface, and low elongation) significantly reduces strand-induced vibrations and attenuates sound emissions. In-service measurements have shown that the rope emits between 42 and 49 dB, while driving down vibration amplitude by 40 to 60% compared to standard designs. The upsides also include smoother running performance, lower mechanical stresses and an extended service life.

The Solitec® XD rope is currently being rolled out across several cable-car systems in Europe and North America (four in Italy, one in Austria, one in the USA and one in Germany), thereby offering feedback in real operating conditions. This major innovation meets the specific requirements for installations operating across an extended time range, especially

in built-up areas where reducing sound pollution and delivering service continuity are decisive to ensuring the system’s acceptance.

On the road to data-driven predictive maintenance

This innovation is embodied in the AIM (Alliance for Intelligent Rope Monitoring) continuous monitoring system, which combines magnetic-induction testing (MRT) with geometric rope measurements and an AI-assisted 360° view. The internal and external condition of the rope is assessed in real time, where broken wires, corrosion, and diameter and length discrepancies can be detected early. Data are aggregated in comparative digital reports, which heralds the prospect of predictive maintenance and greater system availability.

Solitec® XD and AIM shift the inspection’s focus from a single component to an integrated technical system covering the entire lifecycle, from production through to in-service analysis. This systemsbased approach ensures that mechanical performance and data work hand-inhand.

Solitec XD

Its optimised design significantly reduces strand-induced vibrations and minimises noise emissions.

Johannes Smetana

Head of Business Unit Cableways johannes.smetana@teufelberger.com

Tél. : +43 7242 615 1391

Mobile : +43 664 6113147

GRENOBLE ALPES MÉTROPOLE

Rencontrez notre sélection d’entreprises innovantes iséroises

AU SALON MOUNTAIN PLANET / 21-23 AVRIL

sur le pavillon Grenoble Alpes Métropole • CCI Grenoble • Isère Attractivité • SMMAG • CC Oisans

Hall 1

Allée 10

Stand 1010

MOUNTAIN PLANET

INTER NATIONAL

INDIA SAVING CROPS WITH ARTIFICIAL GLACIERS

Deep inside the mountainous region of Ladakh in northern India, engineers and villagers are working hand in hand to shield crops against the knock-on effects caused by today’s shrinking glaciers. Together, they are building artificial glaciers that are capable of providing the amount of water needed to sustain local farming.

TEXT : CATHERINE FOULSHAM

On the Tibetan Plateau, one of the mountainous regions forming the “Roof of the World”, water is a precious commodity. In the remote villages strewn across the territory of Ladakh in India’s northernmost region of Kashmir, everyday life is becoming a growing challenge as households struggle to procure access to a fragile resource that is vital to their crops and food security. Unlike the rest of the country, Ladakh is considered to be a “cold desert” without the benefit of a monsoon season. When torrential rain pounds Asia during the summer, Ladakh is left bone dry. That explains why the region’s agricultural sector depends entirely on irrigation. Approximately 80 to 90% of the villages (ranging at altitudes between 2,800 and 4,600 metres) and farmers rely on the water released by melting snow and glaciers.

Agriculture and shrinking glaciers

The rate at which glaciers are receding in the Western Himalayas is gaining pace. A telling example is Parachik Glacier, one of the region’s most spectacular mountain glaciers, whose speed of retreat has jumped from around 2 metres a year (1971-1999) to nearly 20 metres a year (2015-2021). A direct consequence of this trend can be seen in the villages that used to be surrounded by meltwater streams, but which are now confronted with empty reservoirs and dry fields. This situation has the effect of undermining food security in a region where farming represents the main source of income. The need to support people living across Ladakh prompted the idea of creating artificial glaciers known as “ice stupas”, which draw their inspiration from Buddhist stupas. Between November and March, water from fast-flowing mountain rivers is channelled towards the valley through pipes. When it reaches the valley, it erupts through a pipe several meters above the ground, creating a fountain of water that freezes in contact with the sub-zero air (down to -20°C) as it falls to the ground. It forms an ice cone that can reach a height of 20 to 30 metres. The tapered shape reduces the amount of water lost to solar radiation, which allows the ice to last longer. Ice stupas serve as a real seasonal reservoir that melts slowly during the dry period and irrigates the villages’ crops.

The birth of artificial glaciers

Engineer Chewang Norphel is acknowledged as carrying out the first experiments in Ladakh. As early as the 1980s / 1990s, he pioneered a system for diverting a river towards shaded mountain slopes, where it froze to form mid-altitude ice terraces. Created around the city of Leh, these artificial glaciers allowed local farmers to start cultivating land that had previously been abandoned. Years later, engineer Sonam Wangchuk modernised the idea by creating taller cones fed by water piped from upstream by gravity. The first prototype was produced in the winter of 2014-2015 with the monastery and village of Phyang, near Leh (approximately 3,500 m). Funded by a donation campaign worth around 7.5 million rupees (nearly €100,000 at the time), this prototype managed to store close to 2 million litres of water, i.e. an estimated cost of 0.025 rupees per litre, which is competitive compared to conventional high-mountain reservoirs. Once the equipment has been installed, the ice stupa can be reformed every winter with the local villagers’ involvement, which also helps reduce the operating costs. Other structures have since been set up around Leh to secure water supplies for pre-irrigation and turn more land into crop-growing areas.

A low-tech solution

Ice stupas are now considered to be an iconic and innovative solution for enabling mountain communities to adapt to the changing conditions in today’s world. They illustrate how local expertise (channels, water distribution, etc.) can be combined with an in-depth understanding of the thermal mechanisms at play in high-altitude areas. The concept is a clear example of how low-tech solutions can also deliver a response to the challenges caused by climate change, and it is now spreading to other areas across Central Asia and the Himalayas, such as Sikkim, Nepal and Pakistan, where pilot projects are trialling similar structures to support irrigation and access to drinking water. These reallife stories show how high-altitude communities can harness traditional engineering techniques to manage water more effectively and produce an innovative solution of benefit to all of society, despite working with limited financial resources.

The concept is a clear example of how low-tech solutions can also deliver a response to the challenges caused by climate change…

CHINA ENVIRONMENTALLY VALUABLE NATIONAL PARKS

The experience of organising and staging the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 inspired China to start building innovative national parks that not only feature a wealth of modern tourism facilities and amenities, but also incorporate measures to safeguard wildlife corridors and preserve resource use, which proves that countries can grow their tourism industry while protecting the environment in the mountains.

TEXT : CATHERINE FOULSHAM

The Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games faced a barrage of criticism, with claims that the country had destroyed natural areas, built new infrastructure at the environment’s expense, and gone overboard with the use of artificial snow. But there can be no denying that the Games marked a watershed moment in China’s development and planning policies for itas mountain regions and communities, as the authorities went back to the drawing board to review their management practices for these areas and incorporate sustainability principles and deliver long-term environmental protection. This new approach has spawned five innovative national parks, stretching all the way from the northernmost area of Tibet to the tropical forests adorning the island province of Hainan, which reflect the authorities’ determination to safeguard the integrity of the country’s ecosystems and biodiversity.

Integrated local communities

Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve is a shining example of how alpine ecosystems can be protected on a large scale. Located in the province of Qinghai in north-western China, it holds the distinction of being China’s very first and also largest national park, sprawling across an area of 19 million hectares (1.5. times the size of Greece). In addition to harbouring a population of snow leopards and Tibetan antelopes, the park is also home to the headwaters of the country’s three largest rivers (the Yellow, the Yangtze and the Mekong). As the region comes under growing strain from the effects of climate change and excessive human activities, efforts are underway to restore the ecosystems by removing fencing, reconnecting fragmented habitats, and re-establishing the routes that play such an important role for species to migrate and reproduce. This new breed of park also gives greater focus to the needs of the local communities and provides an additional source of income to the people living in these protected areas. For example, thousands of Tibetan herders have been trained to become «ecological guardians» and take part in protecting biodiversity by carrying out antipoaching patrols and installing cameras with scientists to keep a

close eye on the local wildlife. Each family living in the Sanjiangyuan National Park is paid to act as environmental protectors and park rangers. Local inhabitants are also actively involved in removing waste and litter from the rivers and mountains with the aim of protecting the environment against further harm. This initiative not only garners greater support from society, but also tends to limit any land-use conflicts. The country’s national parks are divided into core conservation zones where academics and scientists can lead their research and exploration activities, and the authorities can manage and monitor the land, and general control zones that are open to the public.

Tourism as a driving force for active conservation

The same approach has been adopted for the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, where local inhabitants are involved in keeping tabs on changes in the environment. They also receive training on how to develop sustainable tourism activities as a way of generating an income and stepping up their conservation efforts, such as providing guided tours with local agencies to offer tourists an insight into the area’s ecosystems and scientific projects, running eco-themed educational workshops on water management practices and biodiversity, and taking part in voluntary programmes or internships with research centres (treatment and care, reforestation, biodiversity data collection, the Giant Panda National Park, and so on). These activities treat visitors to an authentic experience and play an active role in protecting the local region and communities, while taking tangible steps to prevent hordes of tourists from flocking to the area, such as online booking systems that restrict the number of visitors a day, as well as sensors and AI to streamline the flow of visitors and minimise the impact on any sensitive areas. By encouraging greater harmony between people and nature, the Chinese post-2022 Olympics experience shows that countries can grow their tourism industry while protecting the environment in the mountains. That trend is set to continue, since China has gone on record as stating that the country will boast some 49 national parks spanning a surface area of 110 million hectares by 2035.

Thousands of Tibetan herders have been trained to become “ecological guardians”

CHINA’S FIVE NATIONAL PARKS

• Giant Panda National Park (2.7 million hectares) in central China’s provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu, which protects the natural habitat for most of the country’s 1,900 wild giant pandas.

• Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park in north-eastern China (1.4 million hectares), bordering Russia and North Korea.

• Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve (19 million hectares), which sprawls across the Tibetan Plateau, is home to a geographically diverse landscape, featuring spectacular mountains towering over the glaciers, high-altitude wetlands and meadows, desert plateaus and shimmering lakes.

• Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park (400,000 hectares) contains the most diverse, best preserved and largest contiguous swathe of tropical rainforest in China. It is home to 33% of the country’s reptile species, 38% of its birds, 20% of its mammals and over 3,500 plant species. Wuyi Mountain National Park (127,000 hectares) in the provinces of Fujian and Jiangxi, which harbours the most extensive ecosystem of native evergreen forests and a wealth of rare and threatened species.

SWITZERLAND

GREENSTYLE: THE ROADMAP FOR A CARBON-FREE RESORT

The Flims-Laax-Falera ski area in Switzerland is spearheading one of the most comprehensive initiatives as part of its drive to become a nearly carbon-free resort by 2030. Called Greenstyle, this roadmap sets out the ski area’s ambition of transforming its energy performance, changing its practices and engaging users.

TEXT : CATHERINE FOULSHAM

After being confronted with ever shorter winter seasons and rising snowline altitudes year after year, Weisse Arena Gruppe (the operator of the FlimsLaax-Falera ski area) decided to take action. In 2010, the group launched a sustainability initiative called Greenstyle. The destination is in charge of defining the programme’s policy, while a dedicated team is responsible for its on-the-ground implementation. Greenstyle spans the entire value chain, including ski lifts, artificial snow, buildings, mobility, food services, waste management, and biodiversity. The programme is focused on achieving two ambitious goals, i.e. eliminating the use of fossil fuels and meeting all the ski area’s energy needs through regional renewable sources by 2030, with the overriding aim of reaching net zero in all its operations.

Evolving from consumer to producer

Greenstyle does a lot more than simply set out a series of «best practices». The programme provides a strategic roadmap for transforming what is a large, energy-intensive winter sports resort into a self-sufficient alpine destination that produces its own energy. To realise its ambitions, the resort has implemented a sixpoint plan to cover its 280 GWh annual energy use through fully renewable sources from the local region, and it has already greenlighted around 200 projects, ranging from large-scale investments to organisational micromeasures. The whole approach is documented in a 250-page «Greenstyle Book» published in 2023, which endeavours to provide an informed answer to the thorny issue of «how to run a sustainable alpine destination.» Its pages contain a wealth of transparent information, including projects, feedback and indicators, meaning that other destinations and resorts can use the book as a sustainable management guide. For example, it explains how solar panels are gradually being fitted to ski lift stations and building roofs, including the upstream station in Flims and the Stenna shopping centre. Meanwhile, fuel oil heating systems are being swapped out for low-carbon versions offering greater energy efficiency. Some facilities, such as the Alp Dado chairlift in Laax, generate their own solar power to fulfil

their electricity needs. In addition to incorporating wind power into its energy mix, the resort also relies on 3D measurements when preparing its pistes by gauging the thickness of the snow and thereby allowing the teams to calculate the amount of artificial snow required with centimetre precision, which eliminates any wasteful snow production and ensures that the snow groomers are used more effectively, which have incidentally been fitted with particulate filters. When it comes to improving transport and travel, Greenstyle lost no time in embracing the electric mobility trend. The Flims-Laax-Falera region now boasts over 50 EV charge points, and partnerships have been forged with vehicle manufacturers to make access for electric vehicles a more attractive prospect.

To tackle waste pollution, the ski area features a dense network of sorting points, including efforts to curb waste at the source, although some huts and cabins still use disposable consumables, which shows that the operator is clearly heading in the right direction, but has yet to reach its ultimate goal. Finally, the resort is actively encouraging customers to get involved. The «Last Day» ski pass perfectly illustrates this idea, where proceeds are funnelled towards projects aimed at protecting the climate, especially solutions to slow down the rate at which glaciers are melting.

Around 200 projects completed

Approximately 200 Greenstyle projects have been carried out to date, which have played a key role in enabling the ski area to drastically shrink its dependence on fossil fuels and inch ever closer to its objective of reaching net zero by 2030. The percentage of renewables in the ski area’s energy mix has risen sharply, driven by the greater use of solar power for the tourism facilities and amenities, and higher energy efficiency in the resort’s everyday operations. Improvements in snow production and grooming activities have lowered energy and water use while enhancing skiing quality, which is a strategic advantage at a time when winter seasons are becoming ever shorter. The initiative also has a number of social and economic benefits, such as creating local skills, opening up new prospects in the energy and sustainability

The Flims-Laax-Falera region now boasts over 50 EV charge points…

RESULTS OBTAINED

• Energy: 62% of the total energy is already renewable (biomass, hydropower and solar power); CO2 emissions from fuels and heating are down by 4.6% (figures for 2024-2025).

• Water: Savings of 7.6 million litres (330 showers) + 6.5 million litres (650 washbasins) a year through water-saving shower heads.

sectors, and bolstering the resort’s image as a trailblazing destination. Greenstyle is not simply an exercise for allowing Flims-Laax-Falera to project a greener image. The initiative can be seen as a real set of operational guidelines that have been tested on a large scale and which prove that the goal of achieving net zero by 2030 is technically feasible across a large ski area, with the added bonus of benefitting the economy and empowering society, with the ultimate goal of kick-starting an underlying trend that is subsequently adopted by other resorts.

• Waste: 1,000 kg of aluminium cans recycled every year, 9.2 tons of PET bottles (2024-2025); 40 cubic metres picked up during the Clean-Up Day event in 2018 (425 volunteers); 56% reduction in food waste at the Riders Hotel (1,300 meals saved in four months).

• Greenstyle Foundation (since 2016): 24 projects supported with funding of CHF 125,000 (2017-2022).

Sources: Greenstyle Book and Activity Report 2024-2025

Greenstyle in figures

WAG’s largest energy consumers

Energy mix (%)

Trends in energy sources (electricity and fuels).

Food and Hospitality

Snow production

Ski lifts

Snow groomers and vehicle fleet

Miscellaneous

Energy use by first entry (kWh)

Efficiency indicator: kWh by first entry on the ski lifts

/

*Excluding food and hospitality.

WAG EV car parks

Number of EV charge points

Renewable energy (biomass)

Renewable energy (hydropower)

Renewable energy (solar power)

Fossil energy (fuels)

Fossil energy (fuel oil)

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Trend in residual waste (in tons).

The only oil that should be raising temperatures is chilli oil

Fuel oil use (in litres) and number of fuel oil heating systems in operation.

The chart shows a trend that tends to fluctuate between 150 and 200 tons, including a recent sharp projected/observed spike (24/25), but with aims to achieve a drastic fall for 29/30.

•* 9: Inclusion of the fuel oil heating system at the Startgels restaurant.

• *8: Curnius mountain restaurant – fuel oil heating system replaced with a heat pump (2026).

• *6: Option of connecting Alpenhotel to the Flims district heating network, and replacing the Startgels restaurant’s heating system (2027).

• *0: Crap Sogn Gion – Total refurbishment 2027, area network for Rocksresort, Cas.

Q-PARK

Bringing a new dynamic parking solution to mountain resorts.

Managing parking for visitors is fast becoming a strategic challenge in mountain resorts, whether for ensuring free-flowing traffic, providing a high-quality customer experience, or addressing changes in mobility practices. The Q-Park Group is developing an overarching approach to support this trend in four resorts across the French Alps (40 car parks).

Parking was long considered to be nothing more than a simple amenity, but that perception has completely changed with the realisation that parking facilities can play a major role in bringing a greater sense of organisation to mountain resorts. Enhancing the flow of traffic not only guarantees easier access to the resorts, but also improves how the public space is used while enhancing the visitor experience. Q-Park, the European expert in parking solutions and currently the second largest parking operator in France, has every intention of keeping pace with this transformation. The decision to acquire SAGS represents a milestone in this strategy by enabling Q-Park to bolster its expertise in mountain tourism areas.

In Q-Park’s philosophy, parking should be seen first as a «real service». In ski areas, the parking facility is the visitor’s first and last contact with the resort, meaning that it has a direct influence on the resort’s hospitality and image. Q-Park currently operates parking facilities in several major resorts, including Val d’Isère, Bourg-SaintMaurice - Les Arcs, La Plagne, Les Orres and Villaroger. In these resorts, parking concerns public authorities, local authorities and combined district councils, as well as private stakeholders, especially accommodation providers.

A solution for organising mobility

Experience has shown that the main issue is

not actually the cost of parking, but the way in which parking facilities are organised.

A structured parking solution helps control the flow of vehicles, allocate spaces more effectively and ease pressure on the public space. Some resorts have even reported a fall in the number of people using their car when parking is clearly organised.

Q-Park believes that the same concept can be scaled up to the regional level.

The Les Alpins car park in Bourg-SaintMaurice perfectly illustrates this crossmunicipal approach to promoting mobility by enabling transport services to be better coordinated between the valley and the resorts. Digitising services is another part of the process, such as allowing visitors to book parking spaces online in the same way that they reserve their ski equipment or lessons. The solution simplifies parking in the resorts and consequently lowers stress levels for visitors.

Q-Park is also focused on carrying out the necessary structural and enhancement work to transform the very image of its parking facilities.

Clean premises, snow removal, physical presence and carefully designed features are helping turn parking facilities into real hospitality assets. This vision builds on the mobility trends in mountain resorts. For example, close to 50 charge points have been installed in Val d’Isère and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, including

ultra-fast chargers. Q-Park is gradually adding other services so that its parking facilities cater for customers in every season, such as secure bicycle storage.

Q-Park firmly believes that car parks should no longer be considered in isolation. They bring real strategic value to a resort’s ecosystem, in liaison with the authorities, accommodation providers and ski lift operators, in addition to fully supporting the latest developments in mountain mobility.

About Q-Park France

Employing close to 850 people, Q-Park France manages over 400 parking facilities in nearly 90 cities, generating revenue of €235 million in 2025. Since 2020, Q-Park France has held triple QSE certification, namely ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

FIND OUT MORE: www.q-park.fr/en-gb

ITALY

THE DOLOMITES: BLAZING A TRAIL FOR SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAINS

Can mountains really stay alive without suffering a burnout in the process?

The answer coming from the Dolomites is a resounding “sì”, as efforts are being made to regulate access and pioneer new mobility solutions and architectural designs in what represents an innovative pathway for continuing to welcome visitors while protecting the environment.

TEXT : CATHERINE FOULSHAM

The Dolomites were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List back in 2009. They also have the distinction of being one of the first alpine regions to take their tourism model back to the drawing board in an attempt to tackle the challenge of climate change and the excessive number of tourists flooding the region. In 2010, the autonomous provinces of Trento, Bolzano and Belluno joined forces with the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation to come up with a concerted strategy for preserving the integrity of the region’s environment and natural landscape while helping the valleys sustain their thriving economies. This unprecedented interregional agreement features three focus areas, namely regulated access, net-zero mobility, and nextgeneration architectural designs.

Regulated access

The Dolomites have never been riding so high in the popularity charts. Over the last 15 years, arrivals have increased by 64.3%, with a total number of overnight stays in the toaurism year 2023/24 of almost 10 million*. On the flip side, the overwhelming level of tourists has forced the destination to take action by controlling the number of people visiting the local landmarks. An access system has been set up at the Pragser Wildsee lake that prioritises public transport (shuttles) and requires vehicles to pre-book a spot in one of the premium car parks. In the summer of 2025, a daily quota system was introduced for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo site. Vehicles wishing to visit the area must pay the motorway toll and car park charges online (€40 for cars and €26 for motorcycles).

Energy-efficient mobility

As part of the same determination to protect the environment, enhance the visitor experience and streamline the flow of visitors to the most iconic sites, public transport and collective mobility solutions are actively being encouraged, such as developing

regular public transport lines, adjusting times to suit hikers, and implementing cost-effective passes (Mobilcard, DolomitiBus Pass, and Guest Pass offered by 90% of tourist accommodation providers). At the same time, a cross-regional Dolomites Sustainable Mobility Plan was put into action in 2022. This plan has clearly set its sights on targeting the busiest mountain passes, and it makes provisions for regulating vehicle access to the Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo passes, especially during peak periods. It also sets out a series of initiatives for organising carfree days and imposing temporary restrictions on motorised traffic, stepping up the number of seasonal public transport services and shuttles to the high-altitude areas, creating or improving park-and-ride facilities at the bottom of the valley, combined with collective transport services, and introducing digital solutions to manage the flow of tourists and inform visitors. However, the region’s complex institutional structure and topography stand in the way of rolling out integrated public transport networks on a large scale. At the present time, the plan does not offer a solution on how to overcome the challenge of improving crossregional mobility, which represents a major hurdle for bringing real sustainability to the Dolomites.

Regenerative architecture

The desire to transform the Dolomites into an ecological transition powerhouse is reflected in what is clearly a groundbreaking architectural policy. Several recent refuges, public facilities and tourist accommodation solutions have been designed to meet stringent energy performance requirements by ramping up their thermal insulation, using solid wood and producing renewable energy. Regional competitions, especially in Trentino-South Tyrol, champion projects that are capable of blending seamlessly into the landscape, while keeping building volumes under control and incorporating local materials. Timber, dolomite rock and bio-based solutions form the backbone of a contemporary, energy-efficient

Architecture as a tourism driver… Freed from all traces of folklore, avant-garde mountain architecture has become a cornerstone of the Dolomites’ appeal. At Kronplatz, two emblematic projects bear witness to this: the striking Messner Mountain Museum designed by Zaha Hadid and the LUMEN Museum, where architect Gerard Mahlknecht transformed the former cable car station into a museum space of refined elegance. ©fotografia Paolo Riolzi

Most players now believe that regulated access is inevitable and preferable to uncontrolled overtourism.

architectural style that expresses a deep attachment to the local area. Prime examples include the Messner Mountain Museum Corones designed by Zaha Hadid and the Oberholz Mountain Hut in Obereggen. Meanwhile, the province of Bolzano is leading a number of energy efficiency retrofit programmes to transform public buildings into nZEBs (Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings).

Real results, but an element of fragility

Have these measures actually helped reverse the trend? The Dolomites have not seen any fall in the number of tourists heading to the area. The facilities at some iconic sites are still saturated during the summer, but the level of growth that continued spiralling upwards since the 2000s appeared to hit a plateau between 2022 and 2024 (+11% arrivals in 2019-2023 before stabilising in 2024). As for the summer season, footfall remained high, even though tourist seasons are tending to spread (average growth of 12% in off-season revenue for the 2019–2023 period). However, there has been a significant drop in vehicle traffic in the areas where access control measures have been implemented (fall of 25 to 30% at the Sella, Gardena and Pordoi passes), and 45% fewer private vehicles around the Pragser Wildsee, whose facilities and amenities continue to be overwhelmed during the summer. As for the region’s economic and social players, and despite their initial reticence, The Dolomites – 2025 COA states the following: «Most players now believe that regulated access is inevitable and preferable to uncontrolled overtourism.»

*Source: The Dolomites – 2025 Conservation Outlook Assessment, IUCN World Heritage Outlook

AUSTRIA

THE INNOVATIONS CHANGING THE GAME IN THE SKI AREAS

Predictive AI, energy efficiency, active mobility, next-generation infrastructures… Austria’s ski resorts are harnessing their strong innovative streak to drastically shrink their environmental footprint. If any evidence were needed, check out the following five examples.

TEXT : CATHERINE FOULSHAM

1_Eco-efficient ski lifts

With some 250 km of pistes, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser can lay claim to being one of the largest and most modern ski areas in Austria. It confirmed its status last season by replacing two parallel fourseater chairlifts with a new detachable eight-seater model along the same route, thereby offering greater passenger transport capabilities. With the ability to carry up to 4,570 people every hour at a maximum speed of 5 m/s, the EibergBahn is fitted with heated seats and sports a bubble-less design to minimise wind resistance and preserve resources. It is also equipped with a high-performance solar power system mounted on the roof of the station in the valley. This 140 kWp system can generate 50% of the annual energy required to power the chairlift, meaning that the EibergBahn is one of the most energy self-sufficient models in the world.

2_ Predictive AI for managing the flow of skiers

KitzSki Kitzbühel has carved a reputation for using predictive AI to manage the flow of skiers. The resort has rolled out the Skidata Connect platform to analyse flows in real time at its 55 ski lifts and cable cars, which have been fitted with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and RFID sensors. As a result, the resort can anticipate any bottlenecks, adjust prices in line with expected visitor levels (+18% ticketing revenue), eliminate 99% of manual checks, improve team performance by examining skier flows, and cut skier waiting times by 20%.

3_Smartphone-based ski passes

KitzSki also served as a pilot site for introducing a new scheme for digital ski passes. The solution was rolled out across the ski area in 2025, just like Serre-Chevalier in France, and gave skiers hands-free access to the ski lifts. After tickets have first been saved and activated using a specific mobile app, they are contactlessly checked by the Bluetooth Low Energy sensors

embedded in the gates. This system is a real asset for the resort’s operators, since it provides a wealth of invaluable data about their customers’ preferences. Meanwhile, visitors can make the most of their surroundings with a completely hands-free experience. This zero-waste solution was adopted this season by Zell am SeeKaprun and Hochgurgl-Obergurg.

4_Predicting snowpack conditions and improving snow production

Austrian startup Lumiosys, an Innsbruck University spin-off, has masterminded Schneeprophet®, the first software service capable of simulating changes in the snowpack based on configurable snow production strategies. By combining local data with highresolution weather models and artificial intelligence, the solution senses snow and piste conditions up to two weeks in advance, meaning that resorts can decide how much snow to produce with greater precision, while significantly driving down their water and energy use. Already adopted by Snow Space Salzburg (covering the Flachau, Wagrain and St. Johann-Alpendorf ski areas), Schneeprophet® received the SIS ECO 2025 award.

5_ Revolutionising access control for ski resorts

Premiered at Ski Arlberg late November 2025, Axess ALPHA GATE 700 is a game-changing technology in Austria for controlling access to ski areas. Developed and produced in less than 12 months, this new generation of gates includes embedded high-performance BLE and RFID readers, an extended antenna reach for faster entry, and a modular architecture that can be tailored to suit every application. With close to 90 units already installed at Lech Zürs and Warth, the solution sets the new gold standard in terms of smart access, with its ability to combine operational efficiency with a reliable design and advanced digital integration, while providing customers with a more streamlined, intuitive and welcoming experience.

Premiered at Ski Arlberg late November 2025, Axess ALPHA GATE 700 is a game-changing technology in Austria for controlling access to ski areas.

* Source : Skiresort.info

DESIGN THE CABIN AND THE LINE

Over the last century, ski lifts have evolved in line with technical innovations, but also in terms of their design. From the compact cabins of the 1960s to today’s panoramic volumes, the question of design accompanies, structures and extends that of performance.

Because these

lines and curves don’t just ensure movement, sometimes

they even leave a lasting

imprint on our imagination.

TEXTE : CLAUDE BORRANI

For a long time, ski lifts have been talked about in terms of their performance, their ability to negotiate ambitious spans, absorb large flows and operate in constrained environments. However, when we look at their evolution over time, another dimension becomes clear. Transforming silhouettes is as important as transforming systems.

With the rise of integrated resorts and the massification of skiing, a change has taken place. The cabin has ceased to be just a technical device and has become an identified object. In the early 1960s, Poma’s SP4, the famous «egg», marked this changeover. Its ovoid volume concentrated the structure into a continuous shell. The edges disappeared in favour of a homogeneous curve. Compactness was pushed to the limit, and the silhouette became dense and instantly recognisable. This curvature was not decorative; it was the result of a precise structural logic that distributed the constraints and simplified the envelope. But it also produced a strong image. The «egg» interacted with the industrial aesthetics of its time and with the architecture of the new stations. It demonstrated that a technical innovation could be embodied in a synthetic form, capable of surviving the decades without losing its relevance.

If it has remained iconic, it is because it embodied this convergence between engineering and industrial design. A few kilometres from Mountain Planet, the same mechanism is illustrated by the Bastille “bubbles”, a reminder that Grenoble was one of the first laboratories for design applied to cable transport.

Lengthening the lines

The following decades did not break with this formal requirement. They have gradually shifted it towards a different relationship with the landscape. As the systems became smoother and more efficient, the cabins became longer. The proportions were becoming more horizontal. The glass surfaces became larger, the uprights slimmer and the structure more discreet. For a long time, polycarbonate dominated for reasons of lightness and impact resistance. It allowed the transparent surfaces to be increased without compromising the overall balance. Then the search for a more stable transparency over time gradually led to laminated glass. This development has reached a visible maturity on recent installations. In Courchevel, the new cabins on the Saulire cable car, which came into service in December 2024, illustrate this transition.

Laminated glass has replaced traditional Plexiglas. Optical quality has improved, the perception of relief has become sharper, and transparent surfaces are lower in the volume. The cabin was no longer just a cabin with openings, it became a precise panoramic frame.

Signature and industrial continuity

As part of this evolution, collaborations with specialist design studios have strengthened manufacturers’ already solid expertise in lines and forms. When Pininfarina designed the Symphony cabins installed in Val d’Isère and elsewhere, it wasn’t a case of adding a prestigious label to an existing product. The Italian studio, renowned for its expertise in industrial design and mobility, worked on the proportions, the tension of the lines and the continuity between glazing and structure. The silhouette has become more homogeneous, the joints have been treated with greater precision, and the compactness has been maintained without visual rigidity.

At Bartholet, the collaboration with Studio F. A. Porsche, a design entity created within the Porsche world but dedicated to a wide range of industrial projects, has adopted a similar approach. At Schmittenhöhe, the project faced major constraints. The limited number of cabins and the impossibility of using double-curved glass meant that the design had to be rigorous. The chosen solution was based on a volume inspired by a pebble, hollowed out by large flat glass surfaces. The edges have been softened and the continuity of the surfaces controlled. In this way, the design has avoided a massive effect without resorting to superfluous complexity. It was based on a balance between constructive simplicity and visual coherence.

Patrick Jouffret, a French industrial designer whose studio has been developing projects in the fields of sport, boating and mobility for almost twenty years, has adopted an approach that focuses more on the interior experience. At the Faron cable car in Toulon, he chose to keep the historic red cabin while transforming it extensively. Polycarbonate has been replaced by glass, the glazed surfaces have been enlarged and a floormounted porthole has been integrated. The aim was not to make an aesthetic breakthrough, but to get the details right. «The show is the mountains,» explains the designer.

On the Bourg-Saint-Maurice - Les Arcs funicular, the glass roof he designed was also conceived as an active surface extending the visual axis. The driving position has been re-centred to free up space. The volume was not redesigned to impose a signature, but to organise perception.

The ORIZON cabin, developed by MND in collaboration with Stellantis Design Studio, is part of this continuity, in which design is no longer a decoration but a structural component of the industrial project. A studio dedicated to the Stellantis group’s non-automotive projects, this creative structure provides industrial players with its expertise in product design and industrialisation. On ORIZON, the proportions

The mountains, a spectacular sight

have been worked out to maximise the glazed area without unbalancing the silhouette. The lines are taut, the joints are precision-worked, and the assembly is thought out from the very start of development. Design is seen as a tool for overall optimisation: «it must simultaneously meet the requirements of the operator, the constraints of the builder and the comfort of the user», explain the in-house designers. The cabin is therefore considered in its entire life cycle, from manufacture to maintenance.

It is less the search for spectacular form than the quest for accuracy that characterises the current period. The ability to balance compactness and openness, robustness and finesse, modularity and coherence are the criteria of the moment. The silhouette of a contemporary cabin is no longer about effect, but about balance. From the ovoid density of the SP4 to the panoramic volumes installed today in the Alps, a continuous thread links these developments. Manufacturers have innovated without ever dissociating performance from design and proportions. Suspended from the cable, the cabin is and will remain an engineering object. But it has also always been an architecture in motion.

ConnX, the hybrid solution developed by LEITNER, combines aerial cable transport and electric mobility on land. An ingenious idea whose implementation is particularly complex. The latest intensive tests at Sterzing, carried out with Elaphe, validate the coordination of the cabs/ vehicles and the entry/exit scenarios in the station, underlining the technical challenges met in the design evolution of these cabines. @LEITNER

Long before contemporary panoramic cabins, Grenoble invented the modern icon of cable transport in 1976: the Bastille “bubbles”. Their spherical geometry already asserted a strong idea: the cab is not just a transport tool, it is a landscape object. Almost half a century later, at a time when Mountain Planet is bringing together the world’s ski industry in Grenoble, this intuition has a new resonance. ©P.Jayet

For ORIZON™, MND entrusted the design of its new generation of gondolas and chairlifts to Stellantis Design Studio. With its sleek silhouette, luminous signature and meticulous ergonomics, cable transport adopts the codes of automotive design to offer a fluid, contemporary experience that is fully integrated into its environment. ©MND

In Zell am See, the cabin designed by Studio F. A. Porsche has created a sculpted, flowing silhouette, with flush panoramic windows and taut lines reminiscent of the automotive world. The gondola then becomes an object of premium mobility, designed as much for experience as for performance. ©Schmittenhöhe-Gondola-Studio

A Toulon icon from the 1950s, the Mont Faron cable car has recently been reinterpreted by designer Patrick Jouffret. Without betraying its original identity, the cabin has been given sleeker lines, wider windows and a more contemporary look. It’s a subtle modernisation that continues the history of the machine, in the same way as the Bourg-Saint-Maurice - Les Arcs funicular, which has also been redesigned by the designer. ©SYLVAIN THIOLLIER, ©J.Oppenheim

Découvrez nos solutions !

Hekipia Habitat Transitoire conçoit de A à Z des solutions d’hébergements, pensées pour un usage à l’année et conformes aux exigences des environnements de montagne.

URBAN MOBILITY

URBAN CABLE TRANSPORT, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIES AND MANUFACTURERS

Brest paved the way in 2016 with the first urban cable car in France. Now, the Paris region has taken the plunge with a promising new project in Créteil. Over the last few years, the urban cable car has become a credible and environmentally friendly part of everyday transport, adapting to specific configurations throughout the world.

TEXT: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE SARRAZIN

The urban cable sector has been growing at Poma for the past 20 years, where it now accounts for 30 to 35% of total turnover.

Brest paved the way in 2016 with the first urban cable car in France. Now, the Paris region has taken the plunge with a promising new project in Créteil. Over the last few years, the urban cable car has become a credible and environmentally friendly part of everyday transport, adapting to specific configurations throughout the world.

On 13 December 2025, Câble C1, the first cable car in the Îlede-France region, was officially opened between Créteil and Villeneuve-Saint-Georges. This was a highly symbolic opening, not least because it was in the capital region, but it is only the fifth urban cable car system in France.

Ironically, the urban cable market first emerged in the Americas (in particular South America), Asia and Africa, rather than in Europe, where it was created and where the headquarters of the world’s leading manufacturers are located.

It must be said that in France, the development of cable cars in urban areas was hampered by a legislative problem until 2015. In fact, it was impossible to run cable cars over residential areas, which required the compulsory purchase of land along the route. A decree issued in November 2015 amended the legal framework creating overhead easements, giving rise to potential compensation.

Cable cars then came into their own, proving particularly useful

when it came to crossing obstacles (rivers, hills, motorways, railway lines, etc.), which would otherwise require very extensive and much more costly work.

“France is still the European champion of urban cable cars,” observes Poma Chairman Fabien Felli. “If we also take into account valley lift systems, which are urban in nature, it is the most dynamic country in Europe in terms of urban cable transport. As usual, this is backed up by facts, as cable cars have clearly demonstrated their relevance.”

Five urban cable cars currently operate in France. The first opened in Brest in 2016. Brest Métropole made the decision to connect the city centre directly to the Capucins econeighbourhood, located on the other bank of the Penfeld, a coastal river that cuts the city in two. This option avoided the need to build a new bridge. The city also saw it as a sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility solution, offering a silent, electric mode of transport with a very low carbon footprint. It

was also decided to include it in the price of a city transport ticket. Mission accomplished: housing, cultural and leisure facilities, and shops in Les Capucins are now easily accessible from the city centre. The cable car has even become a symbol of the city, so much so that it has become a tourist attraction thanks to the panoramic view it offers over Brest harbour. On average, it carries 2,500 to 3,000 passengers per day over a distance of 420 metres.

In Toulouse, Téléo was set up in 2022 to cross the Garonne River, climb the Pech-David hill and bypass a Natura 2000 reserve. Covering a distance of 3.7 km, it serves Paul Sabatier University, the university hospital and a cancer research centre. It carries around 6,000 passengers per day on weekdays and 4,500 at weekends. One of its assets is that the journey takes 10 minutes, compared to 30 minutes by road, with the ring road often congested.

A new project launched on La Réunion

That same year, but 9,000 km away, the Papang urban cable car was put into service in Saint-Denis, La Réunion, the largest city in the French overseas territories with more than 150,000 inhabitants. Also built by Poma, it connects five stations in 14 minutes over a distance of 2.7 km and serves several secondary schools, the university, the regional council and several residential areas and leisure facilities.

In a city plagued by traffic congestion during rush hour, this mode of transport has led to a significant change in travel habits, particularly among schoolchildren and students. It is used by an average of 7,000 passengers per day. This success has prompted the overseas city to launch a new project, “Zèl La Montagne”, led by MND. By 2028, this new line will serve the Hauts de Saint-Denis area in 4 minutes. Particularly innovative, this will be the world’s first 100% energy-neutral urban cable car. It will operate on a Smart Grid network combining energy recovery during descents with solar panels covering all stations and ancillary buildings. This system will generate as much energy as is used over the year, including energy for ancillary infrastructure. “This cable car will set a global benchmark in low-carbon transport,” emphasises MND Chairman Xavier Gallot-Lavallée.

MND will also be the largest shareholder in the company operating and maintaining the system.

The Paris region is home to Europe’s longest urban cable car

At the end of 2025, two other urban cable transport systems were launched in France. In Ajaccio, Corsica, the Angelo cable car connects the city centre to Stiletto, an area that has grown in recent years with the construction of a thousand new homes, a hospital, a secondary school and a sports and entertainment venue. Given the significant environmental challenges in the area, the rugged terrain and fragmented urban landscape, the cable car appeared to be an effective solution with a limited footprint that could be delivered quickly. Three kilometres long and built by Poma, Angelo aims to carry 3,800 passengers per day to reach profitability.

The latest addition made its début in the Paris region at the end of 2025. Designed by Doppelmayr, Câble C1 covers 4.5 kilometres, making it the longest urban cable car in Europe, and serves five stations at ground level that require no stairs, escalators or lifts. It has addressed the lack of metro or RER (suburban train) service in this area, as well as a complex configuration due to the presence of a network of high-speed rail lines, a marshalling yard, several major roads and highvoltage power lines. The journey time has been reduced to 18 minutes from the previous 40-minute bus route. In its first month of operation, Câble C1 carried 12,500 passengers per day. It has exceeded its targets and lent credibility to another project in the pipeline to connect Vélizy to Pont de Sèvres by cable car, avoiding the RN 118 dual carriageway. Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region, has announced the launch of a feasibility study in 2026. Other projects are also taking shape. In addition to the second

Quiet, electric and aerial, the urban cable car is gradually establishing itself as a credible alternative for connecting cities.

cable car in Saint-Denis de la Réunion, the project furthest along in mainland France is the one that will link Vitrolles railway station to Marseille-Provence Airport in Marignane, also serving the Airbus Helicopters factory, a project partner. Passengers will be able to cover the kilometre-long distance at a height of 20 metres in just 6 minutes. This cable car is expected to have a capacity of 1,000 passengers per hour.

Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, which has awarded the prime contracting support contract, plans to put it into service in 2030.

In Bordeaux, the plan to improve traffic flow between the right and left banks of the Garonne River using gondola lifts remains on the agenda. However, UNESCO wants the installation to have no visual impact on the Port de la Lune, a World Heritage Site, which means that new studies will have to be carried out to find an alternative route.

A “global playground” for manufacturers

Whether in France or around the world, urban cable transport now offers greater opportunities than ever for manufacturers, even if projects do take time to come to fruition. Mehdi Caillis, Director of Public Affairs and Urban Transport at MND, considers that “the French market is extremely mature. As part of our new strategic plan, we’re changing our focus towards urban development, in France, but also for export.”  In fact, “we have a global playground”, agrees Fabien Felli, Poma Chairman. “Today, we have more flat projects than steep inclines.” Urban cable transport “has been growing for 20 years” at Poma, where it accounts for 30 to 35% of turnover. At Doppelmayr, this segment accounts for around 20% of turnover. “But this is obviously strategic, because there is significant visibility,” acknowledges Bernard Teiller.

The advantages of urban cable transport

Construction

time, cost per kilometre, safety, availability, and passenger comfort: these are just some of the advantages of urban cable transport highlighted by Poma Chairman Fabien Felli.

“It’s a well-suited technology, but it has to be the right fit, which means that transport authorities need to do a thorough analysis beforehand,” adds Bernard Teiller (Doppelmayr France). “It’s not just the system itself that matters, but how well it integrates into the overall public transport offering,” notes Reinhard Fitz, Head of International Business Development at Doppelmayr.

For example, the Câble C1 in the Paris region allows passengers to cross major urban obstacles – major roads, high-speed rail lines and marshalling yards – which no conventional mode of transport could have crossed with the same efficiency, frequency and limited impact on land use. And it provides continuity with Metro Line 8 “in a relaxing and fun way,” says Mr Teiller.

Technical developments specific to urban cable cars

To win over cities, manufacturers, who have historically focused more on winter sports, have had to adapt. “Urban cable cars require very high availability rates,” emphasises Fabien Felli, Poma Chairman. “We have adapted the motors and developed simplified, predictive maintenance.” For Bernard Teiller, Chairman of Doppelmayr France, “the basic technology is the same, but the big difference is that they are used for many hours a day, all year round, and maintenance time is very short and carried out at night.”

Manufacturers have therefore improved the serviceability of the equipment. “We have designed parts that are simpler and quicker to dismantle in order to reduce repair times,” explains Mr Teiller. “We have also worked on flow and boarding times.

For example, there is no gap between the edge of the cabin and the platform.” Unlike ski resort customers, who are generally athletic, urban transport users may be elderly, disabled, travelling with prams, etc.

As a result, the mountain and urban sectors “feed off each other,” notes Fabien Felli. “Mountain regions were the first to take action on energy savings and climate change. And this also benefits urban projects.”

What about operations?

The development of urban cable networks sometimes requires manufacturers to become involved in operations. “When there is no operator in the region, we step in, especially in the early stages,” explains Fabien Felli, Poma President. “Even though the associated service business is very small in terms of turnover and profitability, it is complementary. However, we are a technical service provider, not a commercial operator.”

For Poma, this is notably the case in Algeria (1,000 employees), Santo Domingo (300), Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Belgium and Ajaccio. “Poma Academy enables us to train our local operators very quickly. Our expertise is an asset, of course.”

Medellin’s iconic Metrocable, integrated into the metro system in 2004. The city viewed the investment as a symbol of social inclusion, connecting marginalised areas to the rest of the city. Metrocable carries 250,000 passengers per day! ©Poma

When the cable car becomes a city icon...

Although postcards are less popular than they once were, it is difficult to forget that the “bulles” of Grenoble have long symbolised the capital of the Alps. However, internationally speaking, the most iconic cable car is undoubtedly the Metrocable, synonymous with the rebirth of Medellín, Colombia.

More than 20 years after its inauguration, it has become a benchmark in urban planning studies and in the city’s own communication strategy.

Mi Teleférico is the visual symbol of La Paz, often more recognisable than its roads, but also a source of modernity and pride for Bolivia. This sentiment is mirrored in Mexico City, where the elegant architecture of the Cablebús stations also contributes to this popular fondness, which is widely promoted by the Mexican capital’s institutional communications.

The imagery is more tourist-oriented with New York’s Roosevelt Island Tramway, thanks to the view it offers of the skyline and the scenes from films and series it hosts, or with London’s Thames Cable Car, a symbol of the 2012 Olympic Games and the redevelopment of the Docklands.

Whether they are highly developed in the city or serve a specific purpose, cable cars often go beyond their primary function to become true icons, capable of embodying the identity of a city, more often than not modernised through the choice of an innovative mode of transport.

In the Dominican Republic, a Poma gondola lift was opened in 2024 in the country’s second city, Santiago de los Caballeros. ©Poma

Latin America, Asia, Africa: new opportunities on the international market

Latin America has long been a global testing ground for cable cars as a key form of everyday urban transport. There are several reasons for this. Many major Latin American cities are located in mountainous or very rugged areas, and working-class neighbourhoods have often developed on steep hills that are difficult to access.

Cable transport makes it possible to traverse steep slopes and fly over densely populated areas without massive land acquisition and with limited ground footprint.

Other advantages include lower costs compared to metro systems, shorter construction times and lighter infrastructure.

Some cities, such as Medellín, with its iconic Metrocable, integrated into the metro system in 2004, have also embraced it as a symbol of social inclusion, connecting marginalised areas to the rest of the city and significantly reducing journey times. Metrocable carries 250,000 passengers a day! Currently, there are two or three calls for tenders per year in Colombia.

In Bolivia, there are ten lines and two are planned for 2026. The capital, La Paz, alone has one of the largest urban cable networks in the world with Mi Teleférico, a real aerial metro connecting the city to El Alto.

In Mexico, where five systems already exist, “there is incredible momentum with two to three projects per year,” notes Fabien Felli (Poma). Doppelmayr Mexico has been selected for the new Cablebús Línea 5, which will be the longest urban cable car line in the world, at 15.2 kilometres and twelve stations.

In the Dominican Republic, a double gondola lift is being built by Poma in the capital, Santo Domingo, which already has two gondola lifts, and another system was unveiled in 2024 in the country’s second city, Santiago de los Caballeros. San Salvador is awaiting an intermodal cable car in 2027, awarded to Poma, the first of four cable cars planned for the capital of El Salvador.

A €13 billion programme in India

While Latin America has led the way, Asia is not far behind. India is the most vibrant market in the world with the “Parvatmala Pariyojana” programme, which aims to massively expand cable transport. More than 200 projects are planned, combining urban mobility with rural and tourist access in mountain areas, for a total estimated budget of more than €13 billion by 2030. The government is turning to urban cable car systems to resolve pollution and traffic problems. While this government initiative promotes a “Made in India” ethos, several projects may be awarded to European companies. The Shillong cable car in the state of Meghalaya, which is intended for tourism, has been awarded to Poma.

Mongolia is another example, where Poma is completing the first urban cable transport system in Ulaanbaatar, with an initial 4.2 km line.

In Africa, the potential for projects is also attracting interest from industry players. “Everyone is focusing on this continent. Today, most projects are concentrated in North Africa, but other countries are beginning to show an interest in cable transport, including Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire and Sénégal. Things are starting to move, but timelines tend to be long,” points out Mehdi Caillis (MND). “The major challenge when it comes to urban cable transport is the government’s ability to finance such projects, especially since, like all forms of public transport, the economic model does not allow the infrastructure to pay for itself.”

In Madagascar, Poma completed the cable car system in the capital, Antananarivo, in 2025, serving seven stations over 8.7 km, with an initial capacity of up to 40,000 passengers per day.

LEADERSHIP

THEY KEEP THE SLOPES RUNNING

WOMEN AT THE HELM OF SKI RESORTS

Without fanfare but with solid expertise, several women now hold key positions in the operation of ski resorts. Operations management, federation chairs, technical management, or multi-site management: their presence illustrates above all an evolution in the skills and profiles sought in a sector undergoing rapid transformation.

TEXT: LAURENT BELLUARD - ILLUSTRATIONS: VICKY ROYER, SBDESIGN

In the corporate world of industry in general and the even tougher world of mountain sports in particular, women have long been excluded from management positions. Although times are changing, certain prejudices persist, and not only because of the lingering influence of an unrepentantly male-dominated profession, as Aurélie Lévêque, Director of the Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry (ADS) mountain resort, explains. Following a technical incident, she was called by an agent who had been approached by a customer wanting to speak to the manager. When she introduced herself, the customer shouted: “No, I told you I wanted to speak to a manager!” Although society has made great strides when it comes to gender equality, there remains a perception that men are more capable, especially when it comes to heavy machinery such as cable cars. However, as a graduate engineer of the prestigious Arts et Métiers school, Aurélie Lévêque has the ideal CV for the perfect ski resort director, with a career path that matches: Operations Manager for the ski lifts in Les Ménuires for five years, Deputy Director then Director of Operations at STVI (Val d’Isère), again for five years, and lastly this position in Les Arcs. Breaking these glass ceilings is what Anne Marty fights for every day as the head of the representative body for ski resort operators, Domaines Skiables de France, which she took over as Chair at the end of Alexandre Maulin’s two terms of office. “We are not really making much progress, there are only two or three women at the helm of ski resorts, which is a ridiculously low number. The number of women graduating from engineering or technical schools is still low, which has a direct impact on the gender of top management at our ski resorts. The executive committees are therefore very male-dominated, with the exception of the communications and HR departments, which are predominantly female, and finance, which is more balanced.”

Different backgrounds and profiles that are still too often... unique!

On the other side of the Alps, but also within a very different type of organisation, namely a family business, Valeria Ghezzi took over the reins of the San Martino di Castrozza ski resort in the Dolomites when she was only 25 years old, in order to fill in for her father who was ill. At the time, she was the only woman running a ski resort in Italy, and she takes a detached view of the lack of female “staff” in management positions at high altitude. “The mountains are too small an environment to apply gender equality as one would in large urban companies, and you don’t need an engineering degree to run a ski resort. I think women today are more open to all kinds of jobs and that everyone is freer to follow their passions. So women who love the mountains can work in a resort, just like men who want to spend more time with their children can do so today. I have a degree in interpreting from Geneva and a degree in Political Science from Milan, but that didn’t stop me from working in a ski resort and eventually taking on a management position. Being at the head of a company also means knowing how to assign the right people to the right jobs, because no one excels in engineering, finance, administration, law, human resources, etc. all at the same time. Being at the head of a company also means taking responsibility for decision-making, and this often has to be done quickly.” Should we see this setback as a difference in the size of companies or as the fall of certain cultural barriers between a country led by a woman and France, which has never been able to elect one to power? Regardless, the process is underway, and while the idea of parity may not

make sense in itself, it is gaining ground in our mountains “thanks to the progress made in gender equality, the changing attitudes, especially in our mountain regions, and the place women have taken in society,” according to Aurélie Lévêque. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that these women’s careers in skiing represent an indescribable form of breaking with the established order. “Throughout my career, I have been grateful that no one, man or woman, has ever openly told me that they would not let me move forward,” says Stacey Glaser, Director of Marketing and Brand for Mountain Capital Partners in the United States, which operates various resorts in North and South America. “I am happy having spent these years in this sector within a company that prioritises the right person for the right job, regardless of gender. Having said that, the fact remains that I am often the only woman around the table when important decisions are being made. However, there was a turning point in my career when I had to decide how committed I was to this line of work, as I felt that others, all men, were progressing at a different pace than me. I chose skiing and my passion for snow sports. The fact that our industry is seeing more and more women in traditionally male roles is because more women are choosing skiing. It also reflects a change in the working environment, with more women willing to pursue their ambitions while inviting others to follow in their footsteps.”

Performance as part of her DNA

She remembers, however, that when she was younger, “boys used to boast that they never let girls ski or ride faster than them. I made it my personal mission to prove them wrong, and I succeeded. Even today, I still remember the indescribable joy I felt the first time I finished a run and realised that I had beaten those boys who said it would never happen.” A trivial memory, but one that speaks volumes about the difference in perception between what may seem obvious to men but remains a form of struggle, or at least a challenge, for women... “When I first entered the world of business, I tried to adapt to the demands of the sector. I studied hard to acquire the best possible knowledge

The process is underway, and while the idea of parity may not make sense in itself, it is gaining ground in our mountains thanks to the progress made in gender equality, the changing attitudes, especially in our mountain regions, and the place women have taken in society.

AURÉLIE LÉVÊQUE

of the company and the world of skiing before gradually making my own mark on management. I later learned that some people in the village of San Martino di Castrozza had given me six months before I would be out of business,” recalls Valeria Ghezzi, who is now also head of the National Association of Ski Lift Operators in Italy, the equivalent of DSF. “I have since added new ski lifts and an artificial snow network, as well as investing in bars and restaurants in the mountains. I have also centralised all services to improve the holiday experience, from snow activities to booking ski lessons and equipment hire. Last but not least, I have expanded the summer and autumn seasons with a wide range of activities. As my company’s ski lifts are all located in a national park, I have had to gain a solid understanding of everything related to the environment and sustainability, a very complex subject for the ski lift industry and one of the main challenges we face.”

The mountains are too small an environment to apply gender equality as one would in large urban companies, and you don’t need an engineering degree to run a ski resort. I think women today are more open to all kinds of jobs and that everyone is freer to follow their passions.

VALERIA GHEZZI

I am happy having spent these years in this sector within a company that prioritises the right person for the right job, regardless of gender. Having said that, the fact remains that I am often the only woman around the table when important decisions are being made. However, there was a turning point in my career when I had to decide how committed I was to this line of work, as I felt that others, all men, were progressing at a different pace than me. I chose skiing and my passion for snow sports.

STACEY GLASER

Politics as a catalyst to increase the number of women in the sector?

It is ironic that our panel includes two representatives from professional ski lift operators’ unions, given that, as we have seen, women are clearly in the minority in this sector! Could this be seen as a subtle sign of a desire to increase their representation? Whereas men would see their colleagues as potential competitors, would female ski lift managers display a form of sisterhood that goes beyond their own individual interests? More prosaically, would men, feeling guilty, unconsciously accept their rivalry at the top, while women, who have been excluded from power for too long, would promote the careers of their female colleagues for the greater good? Not so sure... It is rather a good thing not to reproduce a form of exclusion inherited from a system, a form of revenge that tips the whole status quo on its head! This is clearly outlined by Anne Marty. “The DNA of resort management jobs has no reason to be gender-based, or even technical. We operate ski resorts where it is essential to have solid technical knowledge in technical and/or maintenance management positions, but in the same way that we don’t ask the boss of Air France or the SNCF to know how to fly planes or drive trains and/or master the technical aspects, it’s the same in ski resorts. The hallmark of a good leader is knowing how to build a good team, and I firmly believe in the complementary nature of different viewpoints. Having someone at the helm who is less technically minded and has other skills, regardless of their gender, often leads to a different way of looking at things: more customer- and service-focused and less technical. Everyone puts forward their point of view with the ultimate goal of improving our customers’ experience.” In the end, beyond the differences – as someone once said – isn’t that what really matters?

The

DNA of resort management jobs has no reason to be gender-based, or even technical. We operate ski resorts where it is essential to have solid technical knowledge, but in the same way that we don’t ask the boss of Air France or the SNCF to know how to fly planes or drive trains and/ or master the technical aspects, it’s the same in ski resorts.

ANNE MARTY

STRATEGY

SKI RESORTS LOOKING AHEAD TO 2040

In an industry where decisions span decades, the future is never an abstract concept. Five international leaders in the ski lift and ski resort industry share their vision of the most visible changes users will see by 2040, and the innovations that will make them possible.

Forward thinking or science fiction? How can we forecast the most visible changes on the horizon for skiers in 2040, a date that seems so far away yet so close, even if we are the leader of one of the major stakeholders in this industry? In a world beset by geopolitical instability as much as by climate change and its energy challenges, where land-use policy is nothing but a series of conflicting interests, where experts are still arguing about whether the productivity gains associated with artificial intelligence will benefit the economy or destroy it, we are now asking ourselves the only essential question, as seen through the lens of Mountain Planet: where will we be in 2040? However, many experts and other prophets of doom have already written the sequel: the end of “all-out skiing” and widespread reflection, here and elsewhere, to think about the next mountain economy based on a much-needed collaborative approach leading to a reinvention that stays true to the logic of rediscovery. No need to say more... Dominique Thillaud, Managing Director of Compagnie des Alpes; Fabien Felli, Chairman of Poma; Xavier Gallot-Lavallée, CEO of MND; Stefan Sjöstrand, Chairman and CEO of SkiStar AB; and Thomas Pichler, CEO of Doppelmayr/Garavanta Group, offered us concrete answers from an industrial perspective.

When it comes to ski resorts, “our role is not to predict or impose a particular model for the mountains in terms of what they should look like in 2040, but to contribute, with clarity and determination, by listening closely to mayors and municipal councils, who remain the final decision-makers, to making our mountain ranges sustainable, desirable and resilient in a changing world,” emphasises Dominique Thillaud, who, it should be noted, operates some of France’s largest ski resorts, such as La Plagne, Les Arcs, Les Ménuires, Val d’Isère and Serre-Chevalier, as well as amusement parks and other related activities, such as the tour operator Travelfactory and

The challenge is not to do more, but to do better: reducing impacts, extending operating life and offering a new balance between pleasure, performance and sustainability.

XAVIER GALLOT-LAVALLÉE

the accommodation provider MMV... However, he believes that “talking about 2040 requires a degree of humility and commitment. The mountains are a living ecosystem, already undergoing changes that we can see every day, and the extreme weather events we experienced this winter remind us of the need to adapt. Climate prediction models developed in recent years are helping us in this regard, but we know that it will not be a matter of applying a ready-made model, because each mountain range and each mountain will be a special case and will require our constant attention. Added to this are changing visitor habits and expectations, the impact of demographics and the role of technology, probably less as a showcase than as a tool: optimisation of snow cover, more energy-efficient equipment, revamped modes of transport, intelligent flow management, etc. all innovations that will support rather than force change. In short, what will be “visible” in 2040 may not be a dazzling future, but rather a mountain that is gradually reinventing itself. A mountain that remains attractive because it will have – together with all its stakeholders – been able to adapt, take its weaknesses into account and capitalise on its strengths.”

Skiing lies at the heart of the solutions

Stefan Sjöstrand, who operates six ski resorts in Sweden and Norway, including the high-profile Åre, remains more prosaic: “At SkiStar, we have ambitious goals and are continuing to develop our ski resorts for the future, both to attract more tourists in winter and to offer a year-round experience. When it comes to winter in particular, our aim is to attract more international customers, and we are very optimistic about this, thanks in large part to our locations, which offer geographical advantages and good snow conditions. We will therefore continue to focus on artificial snow systems and new ski lifts, as we have done in recent years, investing around £60-70 million per year. The plan is to maintain this level of investment and continue to increase the share of international tourists. Since 2020, this customer segment has grown from 20% in 2020 to more than 40% in 2026, which encourages us to continue on this path.” Anything new on the horizon? Yes, but only small changes, with improvements and innovations that are all part of a desire for understated versatility without any major upheaval, at least for these two operators who are less affected by the lack of snowfall, either because of the high altitude of the resorts they operate in the Alps or their near-polar latitude.

A ski resort with variable geometry?

Taking a broad view of the issue of cable transport, Fabien Felli (Poma) notes that while improving support for tourists and socio-professionals in terms of their mobility to access ski resorts and use ski lifts and ski resorts will be an important issue, he adds a note of caution: “Let’s be honest, I don’t yet know all the key innovations that will be coming in the next fifteen years!” However, he is convinced that by 2040, the situation will have changed. In my sector alone, it is clear that ski resort bases will move to higher altitudes, almost above 2,000 metres. This means that, for part of the winter, we will have to be able to take skiers to this new snow line and then bring them back. What does that mean? It means that we will have to make systematic use of closed vehicles such as gondola lifts or other large carriers to be able to transport everyone when they cannot ski back down. And this will have to be done in ever-changing weather conditions, including widespread winds and gusts that need to be withstood.” Since the creation of ski resorts, the snow line has remained where it was defined by the artificial snow system, but we will soon reach the end of this defensive approach. With spectacular temperature changes from one

In short, what will be “visible” in 2040 may not be a dazzling future, but rather a mountain that is gradually reinventing itself.

DOMINIQUE THILLAUD

week to the next, the idea is not to scrap what already exists, but to be able to offer an effective alternative to adapt to the conditions. When wind or snow prevents the top of the ski resort from opening, everyone skis, making the best of a bad situation with a smile. The aim is to offer the same variable geometry ski area, but for the lower slopes, without it being seen as a negative experience. However, these famous highcapacity lifts are still needed to keep the flow moving.

Altitude, but why?

At MND, while we also believe that ski resorts will have undergone profound changes by this date, Xavier GallotLavallée forecasts three major transformations that will be particularly visible to visitors: more integrated and versatile cable transport systems, safer mountains that use fewer resources, and more immersive and personalised leisure

experiences. “Skiing will remain a central and driving force, but it will be part of a more varied approach to mountain leisure activities. Ski resorts are gradually becoming places where activities can be extended to two or four seasons, depending on the configuration of the sites, their clientèle and the countries, with a programme that includes skiing, hiking, mountain biking, soft mobility, culture and wellness, depending on the season. In fact, the challenge is not to do more, but to do better: to reduce impacts, extend the operating season and offer a new balance between pleasure, performance and sustainability.”

This vision is shared by Thomas Pichler of Doppelmayr, who emphasises seamless, high-capacity mobility with lifts that are “faster, quieter, safer and more comfortable for visitors. The aim will be to significantly reduce waiting times through smart capacity management, automation and operational optimisation. Lifts will increasingly become the backbone of mobility in resorts. Advanced monitoring systems, automated assistance and barrier-free designs will make the mountain experience even safer and more inclusive for all ages and levels of ability.”

The question of energy

Thomas Pichler adds, “Progress in energy efficiency and operational optimisation will probably not be visible to visitors, but it will be to operators!” Xavier Gallot-Lavallée of MND also believes that “there will be increased use of energy storage, heat recovery and electrification using local renewable sources. To this we must add “lots of recycled materials and more economical and quieter direct-drive motors,” adds Fabien Felli from Poma. While all agree on the progress already made in this area, these three ski lift manufacturers also emphasise the major benefits of AI using sensors or cameras «with operational tools to support operators, anticipating problems that may arise, a step forward for teams and maintenance, which is essential because we need to look after our teams in order to ultimately be more operational in the long term across the entire ecosystem,» explains Fabien Felli.

Lifts will increasingly become the backbone of mobility in resorts. Advanced monitoring systems, automated assistance and barrier-free designs will make the mountain experience even safer and more inclusive for all ages and levels of ability.

THOMAS PICHLER

We

will therefore continue to focus on artificial snow systems and new ski lifts, as

we have

done in recent years, investing around £60-70 million per year.

STEFAN SJÖSTRAND

“The example of the new Life gondola lift in Courchevel, which was recently unveiled, offers a new station model that has clearly improved in terms of maintainability. This is an important issue when it comes to connecting the valley to the ski resort, particularly for transporting skiers on long stays and for professional visitors, as long as these transport systems are smooth, reliable and economical.” Such a link between the valley and the resort, based on a lift that must remain closed on Saturdays, regardless of the reason for this closure, would effectively render this type of heavy investment obsolete. Anticipating breakdowns and streamlining usage with the help of AI (speed, for example) will undoubtedly be part of everyday life for skiers in 2040. The valley lifts, with their ability to snake through the mountains, seem to be gradually becoming a reality. At least, we can hope that in 2040, with a paradigm shift, the simple transport of recreational skiers will become a form of public transport for the ecosystem, including the skiers themselves... Thomas Pichler emphasises

In my sector alone, it is clear that ski resort bases will move to higher altitudes, almost above 2,000 metres. This means that, for part of the winter, we will have to be able to take skiers to this new snow line and then bring them back.

FABIEN FELLI

this point: “We are coming to see ski lifts as part of a broader mobility concept, connecting car parks, villages, ski resorts and urban interfaces. This systemic approach helps resorts manage visitor flows, reduce congestion and improve the overall customer experience, while minimising their impact on the environment.” Energy savings, or at least improving the carbon footprint of winter tourism in the mountains by 2040, also depend on this. “It’s a land-use planning issue that could lead to the construction of housing in the valley, for example, which would have an impact on the entire region. It is not as profitable as a ski lift, but with the price of a metro ticket, you can’t completely recoup the cost of the infrastructure either,” insists Fabien Felli. The focus is on increasing the use of dedicated trains from major urban centres. “At the beginning of this season, we launched a night train that we operate through our subsidiary Travelski - the Travelski Night Express - offering a credible carbon-free alternative and helping to change habits”, concludes Dominique Thillaud.

NATURAL INTEL LIGENCE

FLEXION REFLEXION

SKI AREAS IN THE AI ERA

Gone are the days when artificial intelligence was occasionally relied on to provide a helping hand. Fast-forward to 2026 and AI is now being used as a full-time strategic platform for raising performance, reducing energy use and improving resilience for mountain towns and communities in a wide range of applications, whether grooming snow, carrying out maintenance, managing the flow of skiers or enhancing safety.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

Fine-grained management of the snowpack

Human expertise has always played a key role in the mountain industry, and it will lose none of its importance as we head into the future, especially when it comes to ensuring safety and taking strategic decisions, but professionals are now harnessing the power of AI to finetune snow production levels, adjust ski lift speeds, anticipate visitor numbers, predict potential faults and automate customer relationships. The profound changes sweeping the operating model have been gathering pace for several years now, and nowhere is the evidence stronger than in snow grooming and snowmaking, two areas where AI applications have reached their greatest maturity.

After spending more than 10 years in development and undergoing several iterations, the SNOWsat system pioneered by Kässbohrer (PistenBully) for managing slopes and fleets with satellite-based snow thickness measurements has been adopted by several hundred ski areas across Europe and North America. It combines a differential GPS system with snow depth sensors and 3D mapping capabilities to plan the most effective snow grooming routes and generate fuel savings of 15 to 20% depending on the ski area’s layout, by analysing the collected data in real time to avoid extra-deep areas or fragile zones. Comparable solutions are available from Leitner (Skadii) and TechnoAlpin, which markets the ATASSpro software. This solution is designed to control and manage snowmaking facilities by cross-referencing detailed weather forecasts with humidity parameters to identify the best windows for producing snow and estimating the volume that can be generated over a seven-day period. The regularly updated software has been steadily gaining traction among ski resorts since the 20212022 season, with the reported ability to reduce artificial snow production by as much as 30% with its automated system for

The growing level of convergence between sensors, big data and algorithms is gradually changing the face of the operating model.

accurately controlling the snowpack depth. Manufacturers such as Prinoth are also incorporating machine learning components to exploit their snow groomers’ onboard data with the aim of ramping up future performance, reining in energy use and improving piste quality.

Safer, more energy-efficient ski lifts

Equipment control systems are another area where AI is making inroads. French startup Bluecime has a masterminded Sivao Télésiège, an innovative camera-based system to raise the performance bar on chairlift operations. The system automatically analyses chair occupancy levels in real time once passengers have finished boarding. Using an AI-powered calculator, Sivao Télésiège is capable of detecting bar closing faults, risky behaviour and overloaded chairs. Swiss company Mantis Ropeway Technologies AG has developed a system that uses cameras and AI software to automatically monitor arrival stations, which can consequently operate unmanned. This cutting-edge solution, which won the Swiss Mountain Award during the Swiss Cable Cars industry conference in Rapperswil-Jona in October 2025, is expected to spread to those countries where ski lifts can be automatically controlled without a human operator, which is not the case in France. Leading manufacturers are also bundling predictive maintenance into their solutions. Doppelmayr (Auro) relies on a combination of vibration sensors, temperature detectors and cameras to keep a constant close eye on its facilities. Meanwhile, Leitner and POMA use embedded sensors and a sophisticated monitoring system to automatically spot early signs of wear to their cables, bearings and motors, meaning that they can anticipate the necessary maintenance operations. While on the subject of «cable inspections», Fatzer and Letscan are working on an automated inspection system using magnetic induction (TRUscan.deep) to identify minor superficial damage.

Lastly, AI is helping match supply to demand and preventing facilities from running at full power outside peak times. For example, monitoring systems such as Soften (Bluecime)

model passenger flows to recommend adjustments to the ropeway’s speed, with a stated reduction in energy use by as much as 20%. The Écodrive solution from POMA is designed to automatically adjust a ropeway’s speed to reflect passenger waiting times with the aim of saving energy while delivering the same level of service.

Real-time surveillance and search & rescue support

Using AI to watch over mountain slopes in real time ushers in a wealth of new prospects for bolstering safety. Algorithms are capable of cross-referencing high-resolution satellite images with video streams from ground sensors or cameras to detect micro-movements, crevasses or weak seismic signals long before they become visible. Operators can use these systems to improve their processes for preventively closing pistes and keeping both people and facilities safe from harm.

AI is also increasing the ability to conduct search operations in hard-to-reach areas. Norwegian company Atlas UAS has developed Atlas AvalanchePRO, the first mountain rescue drone system featuring an Arva sensor embedded in its AtlasPro drone. This solution is capable of safely exploring large swathes of land and swiftly pinpointing buried victims.

North Shore Rescue, a Canada-based organisation dedicated to wilderness search and rescue operations, uses drones mounted with thermal cameras to accurately detect heat sources in steep terrain. These solutions dovetail with

traditional search and rescue methods while slashing the time spent searching for victims and minimising any exposure for the rescue teams, especially during the first critical hours. As for predicting avalanches, two organisations that are responsible for studying snow and avalanches in Switzerland and Colorado are leveraging AI to cross-reference and analyse weather, topographical and historical data to deliver accurate weather bulletins and anticipate avalanche risks.

Managing visitors and preserving biodiversity

Finally, AI plays a vitally important role in managing visitors by using predictive modelling to forecast guest traffic levels. Remec, which specialises in modelling visitor traffic for destinations using ropeways with its Kassandra and Pollux software solutions, is forging ahead with an approach that analyses historical, weather and calendar data to help operators predict visitor numbers and optimise their organisation. Solutions like Skadii Flow use 3D sensors and cameras to anonymously count the number of visitors in the car parks, on the pistes and at the ticket offices, as well as AI-based image analysis algorithms to analyse the collected data in real time (videos are not recorded in accordance with data confidentiality requirements). Operators can visualise and gain clearer insights into how their ski areas are being used by determining the busiest areas. Using accurate and quantifiable data, they can align their management practices accordingly and responsively address visitors’ expectations, while streamlining operating costs and available resources.

On the biodiversity front, the teams at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) have partnered with academia to develop a collaborative solution called DeepFaune, which is capable of automatically identifying species from camera traps with an accuracy rate above 97%. This solution provides ski areas with an objective way of tracking their biodiversity indicators.

Are we heading towards partially autonomous ski areas?

The growing level of convergence between sensors, big data and algorithms is gradually changing the face of the operating model. AI can be used to fine-tune snow production levels, adjust ski lift speeds, anticipate visitor numbers, predict potential faults and automate customer relationships. All these solutions are progressively giving ski areas their own digital twin by incorporating weather information, visitor traffic levels and equipment status data into a dynamic model that can help operators predict future outcomes instead of simply monitoring the current situation. What comes next? Although most resorts have yet to implement a fully automated management system, the technological components are readily available, such as embedded sensors, data platforms, energy monitoring solutions and predictive AI modules. This opens up the prospect of seeing ski areas managing their energy use like smart microgrids.

MOUNTAINS AND HEALTH THE FUTURE

The notion that “mountains are good for health” is not new. However, what is new is the growing robust scientific evidence that altitude, the natural environment and the associated lifestyles produce measurable effects on human health. This is a boon for mountain regions, who are in a unique position to develop a genuine health tourism offering.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

Since the Swiss novel Heidi was published in 1880, mountains have been seen as the holy grail of purity and light, in stark contrast to cities, seen as full of gloom and grime. In the interwar period, tuberculosis patients came to recuperate in sanatoriums built at altitudes of between 1000 and 1350 metres, as Koch’s bacillus, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis, struggles to thrive in low-oxygen environments. After the war, thousands of children were sent to the mountains to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, nature and a certain joie de vivre, helping to forge the image of mountains as a haven for both mental and physical health.

The mountain environment not only offers soothing landscapes, altitude acts as an active biological factor.

Extensive and multi-disciplinary scientific evidence

Since then, both France and other countries have seen numerous scientific publications and studies examining the impact of the mountain environment on physical, psychological and physiological health.

In France, a review of studies commissioned by AuvergneRhône-Alpes Tourisme and undertaken by SPRIM, an agency specialising in scientific and medical research, examined more than 150 studies and publications on the health benefits of mountains and nature at altitude (impact on stress, cardiovascular function, weight management, the immune system). The results of this work, published in October 2019, confirmed that mountain environments have a proven positive impact on several aspects of human health. In 2022, another systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Public Health, compiled and analysed studies on the effect of altitude on the benefits of exposure to nature, by examining the physiological and psychological variations at different altitudes (with around 27 studies included in the meta-analysis).

Recent publications include a 2025 study in Gerontology that links mountain living (in the Italian Alps) to health indicators such as life expectancy, illness-related mortality,

and cardiometabolic biomarkers compared to low-altitude populations. Another 2025 publication explores the psychological effects of mountain environments in the context of healthy ageing, underlining the link between high-altitude activity, contact with nature and mental well-being. In France, this body of work is enhanced by research institutions renowned in the field of “mountain medicine”, such as Ifremmont (the French Institute for Training and Research in Mountain Medicine), which coordinates clinical and fundamental research on the impact of cold, hypoxia and extreme environments on the body.

From the basics to the unusual

Scientific research on mountains and health covers a wide range of topics, from highly specialised issues to more unexpected subjects. Among the work currently being carried out at Ifremmont is a study aimed at assessing tolerance to hypoxia caused by Covid-19 (Coronaltitude) and, more surprisingly, a study “dedicated to the appearance of blisters in trail running, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of local application of lemon in preventing the appearance of blisters” (Blisters-Stop-2). When it comes to mountains, there are also studies on nature-based therapies, particularly

forest bathing or shinrin-yoku, which, even outside mountain environments, are part of the scientific debate on the impact of the natural environment on well-being (with a growing body of literature since the 1980s).

Altitude as a therapy

It is now accepted that hypoxia also strengthens the heart: the higher you climb, the less oxygen there is in the air, which forces the cells to function more efficiently. In response, the body makes vascular adjustments that allow oxygen to circulate more efficiently to the organs: breathing quickens, as does the heart rate. In the long term, these changes protect against the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack and heart failure. In 2016, a study by

the University of Zurich showed that people living at altitudes between 600 and 1600 metres have a 20% lower risk of heart attack. In 2022, Frontiers, one of the world’s largest and most influential research publishers, released the findings of a systematic review of 27 studies (Is altitude a determinant of the health benefits of nature exposure? Chen et al.). The review found that altitude significantly modulates the psychophysiological effects of exposure to nature. The benefits in terms of anxiety, fatigue and depression follow a non-linear pattern, with optimal effects observed at medium altitude (between 500 and 1400 metres). Diastolic blood pressure also shows favourable responses. The conclusion: the mountain environment not only offers soothing landscapes, altitude acts as an active biological factor.

Very recently, in 2025, the journal Gerontology published The Impact of Living at Moderate Altitude on Healthy Ageing in Austria (Burtscher et al.). The study links living at 1000-2000 m with more favourable ageing indicators: lower cardiovascular mortality, improved metabolic profiles and better physiological resilience. Moderate hypoxia, combined with a less polluted environment and more active lifestyles, appears to be a beneficial adaptive stimulus.

Furthermore, by boosting red blood cell production, altitude improves performance and endurance for 3 to 6 weeks after returning to low-altitude environments. This benefit, well known to athletes who train at altitude before major competitions, is detailed in High Altitude Medicine & Biology. The studies published in this peer-reviewed scientific journal specialising in research on physiology, biology and medicine in high-altitude environments, show that hypobaric hypoxia (a situation corresponding to a decrease in partial oxygen pressure due to a drop in atmospheric pressure) triggers a series of adaptations: increased ventilation, erythropoietin (EPO) stimulation, increased erythrocyte mass, modulation of cardiac output and improved tissue oxygen utilisation. These mechanisms, which have been studied for a long time in terms of athletic performance, are now being considered from a preventive perspective. Intermittent and controlled exposure to hypoxia could improve cardiovascular and metabolic function, making the mountains a natural laboratory for physiological adaptation.

At altitudes of between 500 and 1,400 metres, nature becomes a veritable health laboratory, capable of having a positive effect on the heart, stress levels and mental wellbeing.

A range of benefits

According to the study, commissioned by Auvergne-RhôneAlpes Tourisme and carried out by SPRIM, the mountain environment also has an impact on the fight against obesity. It would appear that, for equivalent effort, energy expenditure is greater in the mountains, again due to hypoxic stress. Altitude is also known to reduce appetite: the decrease in the hunger hormone (ghrelin), the increase in the satiety hormone (leptin) combined with the increase in sympathetic tone (norepinephrine) contribute to sustainable weight loss over time.

Mountains offer benefits that go beyond altitude. The studies commissioned by the AURA region show that the negative ions generated by waterfalls improve immune function, which also helps to increase resistance to stress. Studies on shinrinyoku (forest bathing), which originated in Japan, show that immersion in a forest environment reduces cortisol, lowers

blood pressure and stimulates the activity of natural killer cells. The meta-analysis conducted by Twohig-Bennett and Jones (2018) confirms the link between exposure to green spaces and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and premature mortality.

With the body of scientific studies now available - from meta-analyses on the psycho-physiological effects of altitude to epidemiological studies on cardiovascular mortality, research on physiological adaptation to hypoxia, and surveys on the perception of health benefits - it is clear that mountain regions have every right to position themselves as places of health, prevention, and longevity. Furthermore, it is possible to develop health offerings that go beyond simple tourist “well-being”, that are closely linked to research, healthcare systems and visitor expectations.

MOUNTAINS IN TRANSITION

In its first white paper entitled “Mountains in Transition”, the Moving Mountains Forum explores the strategies that resorts have adopted to maintain business levels and shrink their environmental footprint.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

Every summer in Les Diablerets (Switzerland), the Moving Mountains Forum brings together inhabitants, elected officials, economic players, tourism professionals, scientists and passionate visitors with the aim of inviting their thoughts on a recurring theme, i.e. how can mountain resorts meet the challenges posed by climate change? Their feedback and ideas over the years have culminated in Mountains in Transition, a reference document that provides some potential answers.

> There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problems posed by climate change. Responses vary according to the altitude, the financial resources available, and local culture, but the examples analysed demonstrate that a successful strategy relies on the ability to anticipate, investment in sustainable solutions, and the collective mobilisation of local stakeholders.

> Artificial snow and snow farming are essential for ensuring long-term economic viability, with continual progress in improving energy efficiency. The case of Boler Mountain (Canada) specifically illustrates the effect that this technology can have. By investing in all-weather snow cannons, this small resort managed to keep its slopes open throughout the 20222023 season while others in the region had to close. Meanwhile, the resort of Davos (Switzerland) has focused its sights on snow farming as a way of guaranteeing an early start to the season and reducing its dependence on highly energy-intensive artificial snow production. But these technologies are only temporary solutions in the face of rising global temperatures, without forgetting that they too have consequences for the environment.

> Diversification is an urgent need. In addition to developing hi-tech solutions, migrating from a single-season business model centred on skiing to a «four-season» model is an essential strategy. Métabief (Jura) is a prime example. Faced with a reduction in snow cover, the resort took the radical decision in 2018 to close 30% of its ski area in a move to refocus its business model. It invested in a 710 metre-long rail sled that can operate all year round, which reduces its dependence on skiing and brings greater stability to its revenue streams.

Transforming a mountain region is not just about changing its infrastructures, above all, it is about changing the way we imagine it.

> Energy transition: a strategic focus area Several resorts are ploughing massive investments into renewable energy, electric mobility and energy-efficient infrastructure in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint and guarantee their long-term viability. The Aspen Skiing Company (USA) is one such example, which began using 100% renewable energies for its operations back in 1999. It also has a dedicated environmental department and has obtained ISO certification. In addition, Aspen is committed to lobbying for broader climate policies on a national scale and recognises that “real environmental progress goes beyond immediate gains in operational efficiency.” Driven by this perspective, Aspen has collaborated with local communities on a variety of initiatives, including education, wilderness restoration, and healthcare.

In addition to providing an overview of the various technological solutions, this white paper also touches upon the need to change mountain mindsets. “Transforming a mountain region is not just about changing its infrastructures, what it has to offer or its economic models: above all, it is about changing the way we imagine it, the way we talk about it and the way we collectively envision its future.” This implies unifying narratives, open governance and continuous education.

Net zero: ski areas on the right track for 2037

Five years after it adopted 16 environmental commitments, Domaines Skiables de France (DSF) has published a positive set of results. The goal of achieving net zero by 2037 remains unchanged, together with zero CO2 emissions.

Over 90%

compliance with the environmental commitments for all ski lifts

96%

organise waste collection operations

86%

of ski areas have carried out a carbon footprint assessment (Scopes 1 and 2)

83%

have fitted protective devices to dangerous cables to protect birdlife

Creation of a CSR division in 2024 to deliver support to the smallest structures (20% of companies).

95%

have improved snow production performance, while providing water for pastoralism

73%

keep an updated inventory of their animal life

17 obsolete ski lifts dismantled (since 2012)

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

SKI RESORTS EMBRACE THE REUSE TREND

Under growing pressure to demonstrate greater sustainability and resource efficiency, ski resorts are now stepping up to the plate and incorporating reuse and second-hand practices as they strive to renew and diversify their infrastructure and facilities. Serre-Chevalier, Les Carroz, Val Cenis and Le Grand-Bornand are just some of the resorts engaging with the trend.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

According to estimates, France has over 2,956 active ski lifts. Every year, between 50 and 70 ski lifts reach the end of their service life and are either removed or recycled as parts, but dismantling and replacing these installations has turned into a major challenge. In an effort to minimise their infrastructure’s environmental and financial costs, while continuing to deliver a high-quality customer experience, some resorts are playing the circular economy card and renewing their equipment by recovering all or some of the systems that have been side-lined by other resorts that can afford to frequently update their facilities.

From the Pyrenees to the Alps

On 13 December 2025, the resort of Les Carroz in southeastern France inaugurated a brand-new six-seater chairlift... well, almost brand-new. When the chairlift in Le Gron reached the end of the line after 26 years of good and loyal service, the resort decided to go down the «second-hand» road instead of splashing out on a new model. After discovering a replacement at a resort in the Pyrenees that showed hardly any signs of wear, Les Carroz salvaged, dismantled and repaired the chairlift before installing it in Le Gron. In the end, 70% of the original equipment was recovered (not including the cables and seats), which helped shave 30% off the project’s total cost and reduce the CO₂ emissions tenfold compared to a new chairlift. Installing this new chairlift, which is designed to operate all year round and carry 2,600 people an hour (vs the previous capacity of 2,100), with a ride time of three minutes, also proved to be the ideal opportunity to change the position of the arrival station to improve links with the Grand Massif ski area (Flaine, Morillon and Samoëns) and bring greater visibility to the skier journey. “This project reflects our clearheaded approach to addressing an operational need, while endeavouring to keep costs under control and protect the environment,” explains Nicolas Roiron, the resort’s Operations Manager.

Two new chairlifts designed with recovered parts by POMA

Last season, Val Cenis commissioned an all-new chairlift in the Maurienne Valley after recovering some of the technical parts from two installations that had been dismantled in Val Thorens and Montgenèvre. This strategy was led by the ropeway renovation experts at POMA and can be credited with driving

down raw material use by 90%. The new «Roches-Blanches» chairlift comprises technical parts that were purchased secondhand from other resorts. With new components accounting for only 10% of the chairlift (cables, fixings and station coverings), the resort estimates that it has trimmed 35% off the budget compared to a new chairlift and cut greenhouse gas emissions tenfold in relation to a traditional ropeway project, all of which without any trade-off in safety or performance. In actual fact, the new chairlift has reduced the journey time from 12 to 5 minutes.

In Le Grand-Bornand, the resort’s oldest chairlift - a two-seater model called «La Taverne» - has made way for a new fourseater fixed chairlift. Commissioned late 2025, this eco-friendly model was reconfigured by POMA from two old chairlifts, including the Les Gettiers chairlift that was dismantled in the resort in 2019.

Serre-Chevalier: the circular economy trailblazer

After overcoming the challenge of producing and fulfilling 34% of its annual power needs through renewable energies, the teams at Serre Chevalier Vallée (SCV) have been actively pursuing a structured circular economy policy over the last two years. The overriding aims are to rein in resource use, reuse equipment and recycle materials. Several initiatives are being spearheaded. For example, when the gondola lift in Fréjus was decommissioned, the arrival and departure stations were dismantled and sold to a farmer and tradesperson to be converted into two hangars. Meanwhile, the 700 sqm of wood from the stations were salvaged and reused by SCV and also made available to the valley’s inhabitants and tradespeople. Last year, 100 of the 450 work and ski clothes worn by the SCV teams were mended to extend their lifespan by a further year, and an old 8,000 sqm liner from a hillside dam was transformed into rolls, which can then be reused within the company or by SCV’s employees. Serre-Chevalier is also planning to set up a recycling centre within the next year and roll out a digital platform for second-hand parts that will be available to other companies in the sector in an effort to extend the circular economy to the entire ecosystem of mountain industry professionals. The ski area is also demonstrating its innovative streak by reusing, retrofitting and upgrading its existing infrastructure and snow groomers.

This drive among ski resorts to engage with the reuse and upcycling trend has also spawned a number of structured local sectors involving both private companies and stakeholders in the social and supportive economy.

Rubber, equipment… spawning new sectors

This drive among ski resorts to engage with the reuse and upcycling trend has also spawned a number of structured local sectors involving both private companies and stakeholders in the social and supportive economy. One such example is Écologic, which employs 103 people. This eco-organisation has been accredited by the government to set up a system for sorting, recycling and recovering sport and leisure items. In 2025, Écologic recovered an extra 15 tons of items compared to 2024 across its 83 collection points, which proves that mountain communities and ski equipment rental firms are focused on boosting their sector’s green credentials. IDM, a leading supplier of spare parts for ski area operators, recovers and recycles the rubber liners from ski lifts for conversion into low-carbon non-slip mats. The tons of rubber waste collected across France’s ski resorts are carted off to plastics transformation company Plymouth, based in the south of Lyon, where they are made into tiles that previously used to be imported from Asia. This initiative has received the backing of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Less is more!

Since 2010, the number of ski lifts has fallen steadily from 3,700 to 2,956 in 2025 (25% reduction). Even so, the total transport capacity of the country’s ski lifts, which is measured in terms of vertical transport feet per hour, has remained almost the same, which clearly illustrates the efforts among operators to streamline their facilities.

France’s 2,956 ski lifts are spread across 312 sites (ski resorts, tourist sites, urban areas and other sites). More specifically, there are1,085 tramways, gondola lifts and chairlifts, 1,837 surface lifts and 34 other mechanisms.

WATER & SNOW FIGURES AND MYTHS

Artificial snow may be a cornerstone of modern-day alpine skiing, but the topic has always had the ability to spark strong reactions on both sides of the argument. To gain a clearer insight into the real issues at stake, a closer look must be taken at how it works and the resources used, especially water, as well as the innovative solutions to minimise its impact.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

In France, 40% of the total surface area of the country’s pistes is reinforced with artificial snow. This tried-and-tested technology mimics the natural processes that form snow, which means sprawling networks of pipes, compressors, water tanks and reservoirs (often hillside dams and basins), and computerised control systems to switch on the snow guns according to prevailing weather conditions. Snowmaking plays a vital role in keeping the ski economy afloat, but the whole issue of the resources needed to create artificial snow and the environmental impact provokes a great deal of debate.

Less water for the pistes than for swimming pools

Snowmaking requires a tremendous amount of water, which is mainly drawn at the beginning of the season (artificial snow is primarily produced between November and January). According to TechnoAlpin, an expert in turnkey snowmaking systems, close to 1,000 cubic metres of water are needed to cover a one-hectare piste with a 30-cm layer of snow. This is equivalent to one third of an Olympic swimming pool. Domaines Skiables de France (DSF - national trade association for France’s ski areas) estimates that producing snow for all French resorts consumes 25 million cubic metres of water every year, while pointing out that 160 million cubic metres of water are actually used to fill the 3.2 million private pools across France (6.5 times more than for artificial snow). As for the water sources used to generate artificial snow, 65% of the water is taken from mountain reservoirs and 40%

comes from drinking water overflows, rivers and hydroelectric dams. In addition to getting a bad rap for its water use, snowmaking is also considered to burn through vast amounts of electricity. Producing snow does need electricity to power the compressors and pumps, but it takes between 1 and 3 kWh to produce 1 cubic metre of snow, which is the same amount of electricity used to oven-bake two pizzas in a row (source: DSF). For example, Serre-Chevalier has stated that snowmaking represents 30% of its electricity bill.

Water taken, but not consumed

Now that the figures have been laid out, it might be worthwhile clarifying that the snowmaking process is based on a closedloop system. In other words, the water is often taken from hillside dams that are fed by spring meltwater or water pumped from rivers. When the snow melts, 84% of the water used turns to its liquid form and therefore returns to the local water cycle, according to a joint study by INRAE and Météo France in 2023. Finally, snowmaking does not require any chemical additives, which rules out any possibility of polluting the water. The final key takeaway is that snowmaking is regulated in France by the country’s water resources law and environmental code, which contain a number of provisions governing water withdrawals, the creation of dams and reservoirs, and the associated facilities.

Striving towards greater water efficiency

In a clear sign of their determination to take their water preservation efforts to the next level, representatives from DSF signed a water efficiency plan in the spring of 2025 that covers all ski areas across France. The plan aims to achieve a number of targets by 2030, such as:

• Reducing water withdrawals per hectare of artificial snow by 10% compared to the baseline winter season of 2016/2017.

• Lowering other internal water uses in the ski areas by 10% (cleaning, maintenance, etc.) compared to the baseline winter season of 2024/2025.

• Equipping all medium and large-size ski areas with systems for measuring the snow depth to optimise artificial snow production.

• Equipping all ski areas withdrawing over 100,000 cubic metres of water a year with a system to «slow down the water cycle» (hillside dams, buffer tanks, and storage and reuse facilities).

• Consistently training staff (especially snowmakers and operators) on how to use water more sparingly.

It takes between 1 and 3 kWh to produce 1 cubic metre of snow, which is the same amount of electricity used to oven-bake two pizzas in a row…

(source DSF)

Increasingly water-efficient solutions

While waiting for the first progress report to be published in February 2027, new technological solutions for managing and improving the snow production process are gaining pace.

Val Thorens is rolling out a number of such automated systems in the form of new AI-driven software programs that are capable of synchronising the flow of skiers and weather data to adapt snow production capacities in real time. As a result, the resort has saved 200,000 cubic metres of water, or more than €1 million, since the systems were put into action. The resort of Serre-Chevalier in south-eastern France had already been using renewable energies to power its facilities before the decision was taken to invest in a drone with an embedded LiDAR sensor. This device can accurately measure the snow depth, keep track of artificial snow production and help lower the amount of water and energy used in the process. This strategy enabled the resort’s operators to reduce water use by 23% between 2021-2022 and 2023-2024. When it comes to technology and energy efficiency, snow canon manufacturers are developing new low-energy models that consume 30 to 40% less electricity than their predecessors by using enhanced compressors and new-generation spray nozzles that increase crystallisation efficiency, even at borderline temperatures.

Snowmaking: technologies designed with milder winters in mind

MND, a company that specialises in developing and marketing hi-tech solutions for ski areas, launched a new breed of snowmaking machines in May 2025 featuring groundbreaking technologies to raise performance, flexibility and water/ energy efficiency. It has also re-engineered its range of modular stick guns (Taurus Line, Pro and Advanced) to deliver greater coverage and performance at borderline temperatures. This range is also compatible with existing facilities and includes solenoid valves for more responsive control. The new IZO° fan gun is capable of supplying 20-30% more snow production at marginal temperatures, while operating at low water pressures (approximately 10 bar). All the devices integrate seamlessly into centralised control systems through the monitoring software (SNOW-cs) to scale down water and energy use.

A CHALLENGE FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF TOMORROW

Data structuring, retraining, network coordination, integration of human factors: Domaines Skiables de France and all operators have made safety a cornerstone of their business strategy. A collective challenge to protect workers but also ensure the economic sustainability of the model.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

Working at altitude, irregular hours, night shifts, heavy machinery, complex installations, heavy lifting, adverse weather conditions, isolation, etc. The roles of ski patroller, snow groomer driver, ski lift maintenance technician and snowmaking technician expose workers to multiple risks. The available indicators show levels of workplace accidents comparable to those in traditionally accident-prone sectors such as construction. This is compounded by the highly seasonal nature of the sector, which accentuates this vulnerability, as staff turnover can hinder the transfer of safety expertise and weaken team cohesion. In this context, safety cannot only be seen from a regulatory point of view. It is a strategic driver of sustainable performance.

Organising prevention: the leading role of DSF

Faced with these challenges, Domaines Skiables de France (DSF), under the leadership of its new President Anne Marty, who has made implementing a CSR policy a priority, has embarked on a structured scaling up of its CSR strategy with three committees (Occupational Health & Safety, Environment and Solidarity). First and foremost is the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, chaired by Alexandre Merlin, President of STBMA (Société des téléportés Bettex Mont d’Arbois), which comprises managing directors and QSE managers. Its role is to promote a collective approach to prevention.

“In the first year, we concentrated our efforts on risk prevention, improving working conditions, strengthening management and supporting employees”, explained Alexandre Merlin. In concrete terms, this involves the updating of important tools for operators, primarily the occupational risk assessment guide to assist companies in drafting and updating their DUERP (Occupational Risk Assessment Document), with a more detailed approach to situations specific to ski resorts; the launch of a study on the ergonomics of maintenance operations, with a view to reducing musculoskeletal disorders and physical strain; the creation of a mental health support unit, recognising the human impact of serious accidents or traumatic situations; and the development of standardised indicators on the frequency and severity of accidents, fed by a shared database. “As national indicators were slow to arrive,

The priority aim for DSF in 2026 is clear - to instil a safety culture at all levels of the company.

we decided to collect data and develop our own indicators to provide a better framework for feedback and, above all, to enable us to implement corrective measures more quickly. Our members participated extensively in the data collection process”, pointed out Alexandre Merlin.

Lastly, national safety management training was rolled out for managing directors. 91 executives from companies of all sizes and from all mountain ranges have already taken part in six two-day sessions. This voluntary initiative, funded by DSF with the support of Medef and CNAM, which will continue in 2026 for the various departments and services, is a sign that safety is becoming a governance issue.

Instil a culture of prevention

The priority aim for DSF in 2026 is clear - to instil a safety culture at all levels of the company. “Aware of the challenge, we are working to create an environment that promotes a collective approach to prevention,” insists Alexandre Merlin.

To achieve this, DSF is conducting benchmarking work with other sectors considered “high-risk”, such as metallurgy or construction, as well as civil and military aviation focusing on the integration of human, organisational and technical factors.

“Since the last conference in Toulouse, where we discussed the integration of human, organisational and technical factors with representatives from the civil and military aviation sector, we have continued our discussions with different

sectors (metallurgy, construction, etc.) in order to shape our action based on best practices.” To develop this collective framework, several structural actions have been undertaken, such as the creation of a network of occupational health and safety representatives in the mountains, with the organisation of information-sharing days; the roll-out of a dedicated communication plan to promote existing tools and share feedback; and the organisation of a National Safety Day in June. “This momentum will continue to be bolstered by cross-sector initiatives involving key players in civil aviation, metallurgy and construction, which have made significant progress in communication and prevention, with a view to importing proven risk management methods.”

New technologies and perspectives

Lastly, although no official study has yet been completed

on artificial intelligence applied to occupational health and safety, several avenues are already emerging in practice, whether in terms of automating hazardous tasks, particularly the use of drones for certain operations related to preventive avalanche triggering, real-time monitoring via sensors and continuous vibration analysis to anticipate failures, or immersive virtual reality training to reproduce risky situations.

“These innovations will not replace safety culture but can perhaps boost it by preventing hazardous situations”

notes Alexandre Merlin. In an increasingly complex technical and climatic environment, safety is clearly central to the performance and responsible management of ski resorts.

EMBRACING THE HUMAN CHALLENGE IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Human resources have become a key issue in the technological transition of mountain resorts, and French mountain resorts are tackling this head-on with a clear three-pronged approach: better training, attracting long-term talent and promoting professions that are undergoing rapid change.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

French ski resorts employ 18,500 people (around 78% of whom are seasonal workers) who work on ski lifts (around 54%), on the slopes and in safety (around 27%), and in support roles (around 17%). These are technical roles that are undergoing rapid change in terms of the skills required, with a need for hybrid expertise: ski lift operators are becoming systems operators and may work as zip line operators in the summer, snowmakers must be proficient in drone control software, and maintenance now involves sensors, remote monitoring and predictive logic. The consequence: ski resorts increasingly need versatile and qualified employees who are able to operate increasingly technical infrastructure, while ensuring safety, energy savings and high-quality service.

More industry-relevant training

In response to this transformation, stakeholders in the mountain industry have stepped up their initial and ongoing training programmes with a clear aim: to align skills with real operational needs.

For example, they have been working for two years with the teaching teams at the Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne secondary schools to revamp the CAP (vocational training certificate) in cable transport and ski lifts, and to create a vocational baccalaureate tailored to the changing technical nature of the equipment. Designed in partnership with Domaines Skiables de France, both courses whose curriculum has been adapted to the requirements of the industry, have been operational since the start of the 2023 academic year. The professional baccalaureate in Cable Transport and Ski Lifts (TCRM) has been taught since September 2023 at the high schools in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, while the new version of the CAP has been offered at the Ambroise-Croizat high school in Moûtiers.

With a view to developing training programmes that are more closely aligned with the needs of the industry, DSF has been working for two years to create a mountain careers centre in Moûtiers. “Within this framework, we are planning, within the next two years and with the support of the Auvergne-RhôneAlpes region and the French Ministry of Education, to build a detachable chairlift, which would be a fantastic training tool and would enable us to spread the exam cycle across the whole year,” announced David Ponson, Vice-President of the Social Training Commission at DSF.

Training, a strategic transition tool

Manufacturers and resorts are also focusing on lifelong learning to improve employee onboarding and support team development, following the example of Compagnie des Alpes, which launched the CDA Academy in 2025 to “support teams in developing their skills in key areas such as management and Very High Satisfaction (TGS)”. This approach makes it possible to reduce dependence on external recruitment and ensure operational security, particularly for positions in high demand. DSF, which launched DSF Formation in 2008 to support the development of mountain-based jobs, provides training to some 5,500 employees in the sector each year. It also helps them gain recognition for these skills through the roll-out, since the end of 2019, of Professional Qualification Certificates (CQP), degree and certification courses that recognise cross-disciplinary skills in around ten professions. “Since last year, in response to the growing diversity of activities and the needs of the sector, we have introduced a CQP Mountain Bike Patrol qualification,” explains David Ponson, adding that every year, nearly 2,000 employees are certified at national level.

Training is also central to POMA’s strategy, with the creation of the Poma Academy in 2022-2023 to provide a wide range of training courses designed to anticipate all operational and maintenance needs, but also to better understand operational challenges, refine technical expertise and strengthen the synergy between design and operation. This winter, 10 employees from the product design office and customer technical support received training on the Super Venosc gondola lift in Les 2 Alpes, in order to develop their expertise in gondola lift operation, station adjustments and the optimisation of dynamic effects in stations. “We train an average of 1,000 people per year using blended learning thanks to UPilot®, our digital online training platform coupled with a 3D gondola simulator,” explains Michael Fauché, Head of Strategy and New Markets in charge of the Poma Academy.

Beyond simple HR support, training is seen by all as a valuable transition tool capable of anticipating emerging job roles.

Examples include Les Orres, Courchevel, Val-Thorens, Val-Cenis, Serre-Chevalier and Tignes, where ski resort employees have been trained to fly drones. With their professional drone pilot certification in hand, they can now inspect ski lifts more easily, better identify locations for preventive avalanche triggering, monitor the proper functioning of snow guns, and locate avalanche victims more quickly.

Attracting talent to these roles

Alongside training, resorts that face competition from other industries seeking similar candidates, with competitive salaries and more comfortable working conditions, are making efforts to attract talent. The priority issue is accommodation. “Today, it’s not enough to say I have a job to fill,” says David Ponson.

“You have to be able to offer a job and accommodation or provide help in finding it.” Avoriaz has taken this on board

and made seasonal worker accommodation a core part of its HR policy, taking the initiative to improve its hosting and accommodation facilities. A 60-apartment residential complex for seasonal workers will open its doors in 2026 in the Croisette district of Arc 1800. This project is part of a long-term initiative, with the construction of three other residences planned in the coming years. In addition to accommodation, services such as the Cafés Saison Santé (seasonal health cafés) and the Point Accueil Saisonnier (PAS) in Haut-Chablais are also being rolled out to improve the quality of life of seasonal workers. The result: a job occupancy rate of nearly 100%, including in technical roles facing labour shortages. This stability also facilitates the upskilling of workers on complex equipment. With 3,000 positions to fill each winter season, La Plagne has set up a centralised platform for jobs and careers, highlighting the diversity of roles, career prospects and opportunities for transfer between seasons. Meanwhile, in its 2024 business report, Cluster Montagne announced that it would continue to run the emploi-montagne.com platform and step up its efforts to promote jobs and careers in the sector through the creation of an Instagram page and events. These tools help to improve the visibility of technical roles and encourage longterm retention, which is essential for recouping investments in technological training. In the Belleville Valley, operators have implemented a policy of pooling human resources and dual qualification (winter/summer, skiing/mountain biking, operations/maintenance). This organisation extends employment periods, attracts qualified candidates and stabilises teams in highly technical roles, particularly those related to ski lifts and automated systems. These combined strategies have produced several tangible results: improved recruitment rates for technical positions, lower turnover in jobs involving new technologies, faster internal upskilling, better operational continuity and more secure technological investments.

Ski resorts increasingly need versatile and qualified employees who are able to operate increasingly technical infrastructure…

Ski lifts: enhanced training

Thanks to immersive technologies, ski lift teams can now be trained in near-real conditions and in complete safety. In 2023, the Valloire resort in Savoie acquired an immersive training simulator developed by IESA that replicates the operation of different types of equipment (chairlifts, gondola lifts, ski lifts), enabling trainee operators to familiarise themselves with operating procedures, customer relations at stations, safety rules and even the management of technical incidents in a realistic 3D environment.

Another application features a VR training module designed to make ski lift operators aware of the impact of their actions on electricity consumption. Wearing a VR headset, the virtual operator can see the queue and the energy consumption of their lift in real time, enabling them to adjust the speed according to the number of passengers and thus optimise energy consumption.

ARCHITECTURE AND RENOVATION IN THE MOUNTAINS

REACHING FOR NEW HEIGHTS WITH LOW-CARBON CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

Ambitious refurbishments, bioclimatic projects, bio-based materials, short supply chains… construction and renovation practices in the mountains are ushering in a new era as efforts are increasingly focused on meeting the climate challenges of tomorrow’s world by raising energy efficiency and improving integration into the environment, while drawing inspiration from traditional expertise.

TEXT: CATHERINE FOULSHAM - ILLUSTRATIONS BASTIEN NERRE

How can we adapt to climate change? How can we build without disfiguring the natural landscape and trampling over ecosystems? How can we develop practices that also benefit people and communities? When it comes to construction and renovation, the mountains are confronted with a long list of challenges. After the tremendous drive in France to develop the country’s tourism infrastructure and facilities back in the 1960s, as enshrined in the government’s so-called «Snow Plan», which actually played an instrumental role in creating mountain resorts shaped by daring architectural styles, such as Avoriaz, Flaine and Les Arcs, the Alps have clearly stepped into a new era. Nowadays, the policy of focusing exclusively on tourism activities has reached its limitations, aside from the fact that it harms alpine landscapes and weakens the economy. The welcome mat has clearly been rolled back on projects that aim to construct «environmentally harmonious» buildings on «unspoilt land», but which ultimately end up being completely at odds with the surrounding landscape with their imitation stonework and wood. This determination to stop artificialising the mountains forced Club Med late 2020 to shelve its plans of developing a 1,500-bed project across a 40,000 sqm plot in

La Clusaz, complete with car parks and access roads. Planning permission for another project in Valloire was also turned down due to its «excessive land take» (1,400 beds across a 9.4-hectare plot) and its impact on the «exceptional landscape and environmental qualities that added to the town’s appeal». Another compelling argument against such projects is their environmental cost. After all, the European Commission has gone on record as stating that construction contributes to 40% of global carbon emissions, accounts for around half of the world’s resource extraction, and represents over 30% of energy consumption. It is easy to see why urgent action must be taken.

Embracing resilient architecture

When he spoke to Cosy Mountain back in 2021, Jacques FélixFaure, then architect and programme director for the master’s degree course in Mountains, Architecture & Landscapes at the Grenoble National School of Architecture, stated “We’ve clearly come to the end of a system. The generation of young architects is acutely aware that climate change is really happening. The projects that they’re designing need to perform a delicate balancing act between the availability of water, air and timber resources, which they know are not inexhaustible, the carbon impact and also natural hazards. That’s the complex equation that they’ve got to solve.” More renovations, fewer new builds, affordable and multifunctional collective programmes… a paradigm shift is needed if local populations are to continue living up in the mountains all year round. “Mountain communities need to be a testbed for new inventions,” Jacques Félix-Faure suggests, while alluding to the example of Vorarlberg. This westernmost state (Land) of Austria is home to the Bregenzerwald region, which has made a name for itself as a real laboratory for developing sustainable architecture practices after deciding to change its game plan by harnessing its resources and local stakeholders as part of

a remarkable collective effort. In the Bregenzerwald region, building programmes that are designed to house functions and promote functionality take precedence over aesthetic-driven plans. Prime examples include using locally sourced timber to renovate traditional chalets and construct modern buildings, developing partnerships with local tradespeople, giving due consideration to the precious value of agricultural land by prioritising compact buildings that contain several housing units to minimise the impact on agricultural activities and the environment, and rolling out an active mobility policy with one or more electric vehicles for each municipality as part of a carsharing arrangement. For nearly 50 years, real awareness of the need to protect the natural landscape has been influencing projects and decisions.

Building without disfiguring

One of Fiona Pia’s key interests is examining the impacts that construction activities have on the environment. This young architect with a doctorate from the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EPFL) certainly caused a ripple when she presented her doctoral thesis called “Urbanising the Swiss Alps:

Densification Strategies for Mountain Villages”, which sends out a very clear message that isolated chalets with views over the summits are harmful to the mountains. With their small household size, their high land take, their need for individual access roads, and their ability to create mobility problems, idyllic mountain chalets that blend into the landscape are actually claimed to be responsible for encouraging urban sprawl. Worse still, they are contributing to the decline of endangered natural habitats. Her proposal to remedy this situation involves: “Densifying the population of Alpine towns in order to prolong their lifecycle and thus save yet undeveloped countryside in the long term, and develop mobility infrastructure in line with such population densification.” Now at the helm of the Fiona Pia Architectes architectural firm founded in 2018 in Lausanne, she proposes sustainable densification projects that create added value. She has a number of standout projects to her credit, such as refurbishing a 200-year-old farm in Crissier in the canton of Vaud into a hamlet boasting exceptional energy performance. The external walls are made from untreated rubble stone rendered with a new lime and cement mix to allow the walls to breathe. Meanwhile, the interior insulation has

The challenge is no longer to build in the mountains, but to build in harmony with them.

been completely overhauled, and the rooms have been laid out according to their exposure to the sun.

The property currently has eight apartments (compared to only two before the renovation) that respect the lines of the original timber frame, while receiving light from at least two different orientations. As a reminder of the property’s agricultural past, the timber roof structure can still be seen from the stairwell, and the condominium can use the power produced by the 665 solar tiles. “We are determined to show that you can densify without sacrificing aesthetics by taking a close look at the architecture, topography, light and views. At the same time, you can increase the land’s value,” says Fiona Pia (Terre & Nature, January 2026).

Alpine farms as an inspiration for sustainable housing

Köbi Gantenbein, who has penned a paper (in German) that offers a number of ideas for developing eco-friendly architecture in the Alps and who previously served as the president of the jury for the Constructive Alps architectural competition, which rewards projects that minimise land use, incorporate timber as a construction material or generate

their own local energy, believes that alpine farms exemplify the sustainable housing concept and should be used as a source of inspiration. According to Köbi, warm, temperate and cold rooms, verandas, corridors, and shaded, wellventilated wings are worth more than any home automation system, however sophisticated. The science of laying out and orienting buildings to take advantage of the sun and prevailing winds, using bio-based materials drawn from the local environment, incorporating low-tech solutions and traditional expertise, making a concerted effort to observe and retain the spirit of the site and its old buildings… taking a renewed look at these lessons learned from the past with the goal of achieving sustainability is the very principle that has been used to upgrade the Nordic skiing centre in the resort of La Féclaz in south-eastern France. Located in the municipality of Les Déserts and delivered in 2024 by Grenoblebased agency Brenas & Doucerain, this new sports facility draws its inspiration from the traditional barns typically dotted around the pastures in the Bauges mountains, such as their overhanging eaves with their exposed supporting rafters to protect the external walls, and their double foundation walls made from concrete and stone sourced from a quarry only

In recent years, visionary architects have been drawing on traditional know-how to design buildings that are naturally resistant to climate change…

15 km away. The cornerstone of this bioclimatic mountain architecture is the use of nearby resources, meaning local timber, which is abundantly available in mountainous areas. Bioclimatic architecture (which involves adapting buildings to their orientation and their exposure to the sun, wind and seasons with the aim of maximising solar heat during cold weather), compact volumes, and the use of materials with a high level of thermal inertia are some of the other strategies for reducing energy needs. The Fairway residence, which won the 2025 Low-Carbon Building Award from the FPI (Federation of Alpine Property Developers), is built on a sloping site in Bossey (eastern France). The building uses low-carbon concrete and features a green roof, improved insulation and bioclimatic principles, such as cantilevered slabs, overhanging eaves, light-coloured façades, and natural ventilation (10 dual-aspect or dual-facing apartments).

Vernacular architecture’s return to favour as a source of inspiration for buildings designed to withstand the effects of climate change has not gone unnoticed by UNESCO: “In recent years, visionary architects have been drawing on traditional know-how to design buildings that are naturally resistant to climate change” (The UNESCO Courier, January 2024).

Building with and on what already exists

As stated in the same UNESCO Courier, even more radical is the culture of reuse that needs to be relearned today (which governed construction practices in alpine regions until the 1960s). To avoid wasting resources, it is not only materials but most of all existing buildings that must continue to be used, by adapting them to new purposes and new needs. A telling example is the Fort des Trois-Têtes fortification in Briançon. This unused 36,000 sqm site, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been chosen to serve as an Olympic Village during the 2030 Winter Olympics. France has also enacted various regulations (including the RE 2020 environmental regulation) that now require a building’s carbon footprint to be assessed throughout its lifecycle, which is conducive to developing effective renovation strategies. This trend reflects a wider desire to renovate existing buildings while reducing the overall impact on the environment. On a European level, programmes such as BAUHALPS (Building Circular in the Alpine Space) illustrate the determination to align local actions with sustainable construction standards and circular economy principles for alpine areas.

FOUNDATIONS FOR A LASTING LEGACY

INTERVIEWS

We must have faith in the wisdom of our regions.

Marina Ferrari MINISTER FOR SPORT, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY LIFE

INTERVIEW BY JEAN-CHRISTOPHE SARRAZIN

When you were Minister Delegate for Tourism, you said, with regard to winter sports resorts, that “between skiing for all and ski bashing, there is a third, more balanced approach.” What is this, in your opinion?

Today, the question is: can we protect our environment without jeopardising the local economy? My answer is yes. I have a deep-rooted conviction that I will continue to defend: we must have faith in the wisdom of our regions, in those who know them and those who live there.

Today, I know few mountain residents who would willingly take the risk of damaging, weakening or even altering our mountain regions. However, we must be objective: developing new tourism models is no longer simply an option, it is a necessity for us all. Mountain regions are the most impacted by climate change.

The challenges today are as much environmental as they are economic, territorial and social. A transformation is underway, and it must gather pace. Only by planning ahead as much as possible, region by region, will we be able to invest where it is most useful, where it is most urgent, and diversify where it is most necessary.

The National Assembly’s Fact-Finding Mission on the Transition of Mountain Resort Models calls for the development of “a genuine mountain culture from an early age for the entire French population.” Is this an area that your department will prioritise?

Yes, we must pass on to younger generations a knowledge of the mountain environment, its richness, its importance in our ecosystems, but also its fragility. Following the example of the local authorities, such as the Savoie department, which is promoting skiing and mountain activities among secondary

school pupils, we must work together to ensure that young people develop a mountain culture. Along the same lines, at the Inter-ministerial Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games meeting in Briançon on 27 June 2025, the Government decided to promote the Enfance et Montagne endowment fund launched by SNMSF [National Union of French Ski Instructors] President Eric Brèche, which provides financial assistance to students so that they can visit the mountains.

You have repeatedly expressed your desire for the 2030 Olympic Games to be used to imagine and plan for the future of the mountains. To what extent will the Olympic Games be able to lead this change?

The 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in our Alps are an outstanding showcase for our mountain regions, our expertise and our jobs. Through its legacy plan, the government is working to ensure that these Games are Games for the mountains as a whole, benefiting all of our mountain ranges. These Games will be exemplary from an environmental point of view. There will be no new, unnecessary heavy infrastructure.

Instead, existing facilities will be renovated and optimised. No additional concrete, but respectful integration into our landscapes. These Games must be the catalyst for a new way of thinking about tourism and mountain sports: sustainable, lowimpact and exemplary. We want these Games to leave a lasting legacy. A legacy not only in terms of facilities accessible to all, of course, but also in terms of housing and transport infrastructure. Above all, however, we want to leave an intangible legacy: a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts, a stronger mountain culture, and a renewed sense of pride in these regions that contribute to our country’s wealth.

At a time when voices of dissent are loudest, how can we make the prospect of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in the French Alps an exciting one?

I hear the same old tune that we heard for Paris 2024. It’s too expensive! We’ll never manage! Sheer pessimism. On the contrary, I believe that these Games will be a celebration of the mountains. A public celebration, just like the Paris Games were. I would like to point out that 75% of the Organising Committee’s funding comes from the private sector. It is a tight budget that will be audited by the Court of Auditors. For Solidéo [Olympic facilities delivery company], the public contribution will be around €880 million to fund expected infrastructure such as valley lifts to decarbonise access to resorts.

I hear the same old tune that we heard for Paris 2024. It’s too expensive! We’ll never manage! Sheer pessimism. On the contrary, I believe that these Games will be a celebration of the mountains.

With regard to the environment, I would also like to point out that the Olympic law does not allow for any exemptions from the Environmental Code, except for temporary exemptions for advertising during the Games. In practical terms, this means that all development projects are subject to studies and regulations governing the protection of the environment and biodiversity. Lastly, the fervour of the French people for our Olympic and Paralympic champions during the MilanCortina Games and the joy of seeing our team bring home medals illustrate what is most important: sport conveys noble values, sport elevates, sport brings people together, and sport gives hope and faith in humanity. This is exactly what we need.

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Nathalie Béranger

REGIONAL COUNCILLOR FOR AUVERGNE-RHÔNEALPES, CITY COUNCILLOR FOR GRENOBLE AND CHAIR OF ALPEXPO

INTERVIEW BY CLAUDE BORRANI

Mountain Planet has established itself as one of the world’s most important events for the mountain sector. It brings together over 23,000 professionals.

Mountain Planet is one of the leading international trade fairs alongside Interalpin. How do you explain Mountain Planet’s unique position today in the global mountain development ecosystem?

Originally known as the Salon de l’Aménagement de la Montagne (Mountain Development Exhibition) and founded by Michel Drapier, Mountain Planet now boasts 52 years of innovation, networking and dialogue. The trade fair now plays a strategic role in the global mountain development ecosystem.

Faced with climate, energy and economic challenges, it supports the transformation of the mountain model towards four-season diversification, energy transition, sustainable resource management and innovation in mobility.

In this sense, Mountain Planet is more than just a trade fair: it is a strategic hub where the future of mountain regions is being shaped.

With its strong Alpine roots, renowned industrial excellence a nd international outlook, it is a showcase, a driving force and a laboratory for the global mountain economy.

As Chair of Alpexpo, how do you see Mountain Planet’s role in promoting the French Alps and, more broadly, in the global influence of the mountain model developed in France?

As Chair of Alpexpo, I don’t see Mountain Planet as just a trade fair. Above all, it is a major lever for the territorial, economic and strategic influence of our mountain region.

It has established itself as one of the world’s most important events for the sector, bringing together more than 23,000 professionals.

It is the global showcase for innovations, technologies and best practices for the mountains of tomorrow.

As such, Alpexpo helps to make Grenoble an essential international hub and contributes to the appeal of the French Alps as a region of innovation and leadership in the governance of the economy and sustainable tourism in mountain areas.

On a local level, Mountain Planet offers many companies, institutions and local authorities a unique platform to showcase their expertise. This spotlight reinforces the image of the French mountain model as a benchmark for innovation, ecology and sustainable land management.

Ultimately, beyond its international impact, the trade show generates significant economic benefits for our region: promoting local businesses, developing business tourism and boosting mountain-related industries.

Alpexpo must embrace and demonstrate that renewable energies, carbon-free mobility, low-carbon industry and the circular economy lead to real-world applications.

Could we now consider the mountains to be a global laboratory for environmental transition, and Mountain Planet to be an accelerator of this transformation on an international scale?

Alpexpo must embrace and demonstrate that renewable energies, carbon-free mobility, low-carbon industry and the circular economy lead to real-world applications, tested at events, trade shows and full-scale experiments.

Grenoble does not just describe itself as a city of transitions: it embodies them. To this end, Alpexpo must be the leading international venue, hosting or creating recurring events dedicated to transitions, such as Mountain Planet.

Forums, summits, hybrid trade shows: these are all formats capable of attracting researchers, public decision-makers, manufacturers, investors and talent from around the world to initiate the shift towards a sustainable future for the mountains, one that protects the environment and natural resources. The mountains are indeed a global laboratory for environmental transition. Thanks to Mountain Planet, Alpexpo is not just an events venue: it is a strategic lever for making transitions a shared economic, scientific and cultural project, and for putting Grenoble firmly on the global map of regions that are taking action.

Fabrice Pannekoucke

PRESIDENT OF THE AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES REGION

INTERVIEW BY MARIE-FRANCE SARRAZIN

Successfully transforming the major Olympics celebration into an enduring legacy.

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region is home to 174 winter sports resorts and accounts for 78% of all skiing days in France. As the world grapples with the effects of global warming, where do you see the winter mountain tourism sector heading in the future? Skiing continues to be a strategically important business, but developing an all-season model to attract visitors to the mountains all year round is where the future lies. This is the very aim driving the regional policy that we have been leading since 2016. This policy has already resulted in two ambitious Mountain Plans featuring funding packages of €90m and €100m respectively, as well as the «Summer / Winter Mountain» scheme, which supports resorts and communities in diversifying their services, while promoting investments and developing local employment. The next Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games will also influence the future for our mountains. In 2030, the world’s eyes will be riveted on our mountains, and I hope that people will not only look back on the Games as a sports event, but also as an example of how our region managed to transform a major sports celebration into an enduring legacy.

The Region has put together a €150m envelope to support towns and communities across the mountains between 2022 and 2027. What framework have you established to help the resorts lead their projects? Since 2016, protecting the mountain ranges has been high on the Region’s priority list. That explains why an initial Mountain Plan was set up to assist mountain industry professionals. This plan was instrumental in enabling the Region to support 350 projects, introduce 21,000 schoolchildren to skiing, and assist 120 resorts. Building on this initiative, the Mountain Plan scheme was renewed late 2021 with the aim of investing in sustainable development projects, offering a broader range of tourist services, attracting customers throughout the year, and sustaining efforts to help the Region’s schoolchildren discover the mountains.

In 2030, the world’s eyes will be riveted on our mountains, and I hope that people will not only look back on the Games as a sports event, but also as an example of how our region managed to transform.

You have created the “Tremplin 2030” label to support a number of projects associated with the next Winter Olympic Games in the French Alps, instead of limiting the scope to only those sites that will be hosting the different events. What will the label cover?

The “Tremplin 2030” label is primarily designed to encompass all the initiatives and projects that are being developed as part of the next Winter Olympics in the French Alps, without restricting the scope to the Olympic clusters in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments that will being hosting the events. The idea is to futureproof the resorts’ business model, leave behind an enduring legacy, and support training and sports performance. When talking about the 2030 Winter Olympics, I typically say that the Games are not just centred on the French Alps, but actually concern all our mountains and regions, as reflected by the “Tremplin 2030” label, which is designed to bring everyone together.

I’m not going to tell you that the Games are going to save the French mountains. However, they will go a long way to help.

Edgar Grospiron

PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE 2030 FRENCH ALPS WINTER OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

INTERVIEW BY CLAUDE BORRANI

One year after your appointment as President of the Organising Committee, can you give us an update on the progress made so far: what major milestones have already been achieved and where do the French Alps stand today in terms of their stated ambitions?

In one year, the Organising Committee, which I chair, has taken shape, drawing on the experience of Paris 2024 and laying its foundations with the recruitment of executive directors and 70 staff members. We have secured a budget. The Olympic Law has been adopted, which will facilitate the administrative procedures for carrying out the projects between now and 2030. There have been comings and goings, which are inherent in these temporary organisations that start from scratch, grow rapidly to more than 2,000 employees, and then disappear. Budgetary and environmental restraint does not prevent us from striving to organise spectacular Games at iconic venues with athletes at the heart of the project, groundbreaking Games because France has always been innovative, and Games that promote sharing.

Looking beyond the expected opposition, how can we make these Games a real opportunity for collective reflection on the state of our world, a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than ever, and assert their value far beyond the sporting event itself?

The French Alps 2030 project is a great regional project with a concept of “regionalised” Games, an opportunity for our regions to boost winter sports and for our country.

In a divided world, we need opportunities to come together, to get excited and to inspire the younger generations. I’m not going to tell you that the Games are going to save the French mountains. However, they will go a long way, accelerating the transition and the sharing of best practices. Mountain communities have always managed to adapt. For over 25 years, resorts have been producing snow in a sustainable manner to safeguard their businesses, which provide a livelihood for tens of thousands of people in our valleys.

The question often comes up: when will we see a clear map of the Games venues, accompanied by more assertive and resolutely positive communication about the French Alps 2030 project?

The map will be officially unveiled in June. We currently have 85% of the venues confirmed. The rest must be subject to further analysis and discussions with local stakeholders, international federations and, ultimately, the IOC, which will validate the venue map, the backbone of our project.

The map will be officially unveiled in June. We currently have 85% of the venues confirmed.

During the Milano Cortina 26 Games, Edgar Grospiron visited all the venues and met Tony Estanguet, IOC member and President of Paris 2024, with whom he discussed the project.

©Alpes Françaises 2030

You first experienced the mountains through the intensity of sport. Today, you also see them as a region to be managed and developed. When did your view of the mountains change?

I have never lost touch with the mountains. I have always lived there and cannot imagine living anywhere else, even though I have not worked within their ecosystem.  I have been observing the changes brought about by climate issues and the need for regions to adapt for over 20 years. But there is no silver bullet. Each resort is unique and must find its own way forward.

When we talk about innovation, we often think about technology. But in practice, what do you think really makes the difference: a more efficient machine, better organisation, or a smoother experience for visitors?

The Olympic and Paralympic Games call for excellence and high standards, which are a real source of inspiration for the regions that will host the events. These regions will enhance their skills and bring all of France’s mountain ranges along with them. In terms of customer experience, the Games will provide an opportunity to challenge the way visitors are welcomed and to improve this experience.

We talk a lot about technology, but innovation must also be understood and accepted at the local level. How can be combine innovation, the environmental transition and acceptance by mountain regions?

Innovation is part of the solution in the transition process, especially when it comes to eco-friendly, low-carbon mobility for snow groomers and transport, not to mention the valley lift projects that form part of the French Alps 2030 project.

The Serre-Chevalier resort is a great example of this. Thanks to favourable geographical conditions and existing infrastructure, it has launched a vast programme of solar, wind and hydroelectric installations, and by 2024, 34% of its energy needs will be covered by these renewable energies.

THIS IS THE END

11-13 APRIL 2028

THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING PLACE FOR MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONALS

Since 1974, ALPEXPO, Grenoble’s convention centre and events venue, has organized and hosted, every two years, the largest international gathering of professionals from the mountain world. The diversity, representativeness, and quality of the exhibitors make this trade show a unique global crossroads, a place for business, exchanges, and an essential forecasting platform. Mountain Planet 2028 will once again be the center of French and international ecosystems to address the future challenges of mountain development and rejuvenate its various sectors.

ALPEXPO SHAREHOLDERS

MEMBERS OF THE RESTRICTED COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS

ALPEXPO – ANEM – DOMAINES SKIABLES DE FRANCE – ANMSM – AFMONT

MEMBERS

CCI DE GRENOBLE – CCI DE SAVOIE – CLUSTER MONTAGNE – RÉGION AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES –

DOPPELMAYR – KASSBOHRER – LEITNER – MND – MONTAGNE LEADERS – POMA – TECHNOALPIN - FRENCH TECH IN THE ALPS – GRENOBLE ALPES

Télécabine Chenus

Courchevel - FRANCE

LIFE, UNE NOUVELLE GÉNÉRATION DE TRANSPORT PAR CÂBLE

À la pointe de l’innovation, la gamme LIFE intègre les plus hauts standards en matière d’efficacité énergétique, de réduction de l’impact environnemental et sonore. Elle s’inscrit dans la continuité de la démarche LIFE R’way, qui conjugue “Large Impact for Efficiency” avec “Low Impact for the Environment” et LIFE intègre également la technologie ROPERA.

Avec cette nouvelle génération de transport par câble, POMA propose une qualité d’exploitation sans pareil et une durabilité optimale sur l’ensemble du cycle de vie de l’installation.

MONTAGNE � MOBILITÉ TOURISME � TRANSPORTS