Construction Starts on Long- Awaited New Lift for Verbier
23rd November 2024
It will be a gondola lift from Verbier to the top of the Savoleyres area with a chairlift added for the final section. It has been talked about for decades and planned since 2011. NEW
The lift will start above the Les Esserts nursery area, near Carrefour, and it will head to the top of Savoleyres.
There will be a mid-station at Les Planards where there is currently a collection of restaurants and a chairlift will be added on to the cables alongside the gondola to take people to the top.
A new piste will be introduced between Le Carrefour and the departure station of the new lift, creating a direct skiable route from the main Les Ruinettes sector.
“The long-awaited project represents a key phase in the development of the Verbier 4Vallées ski area,” said the resort.
This week Téléverbier’s chief executive officer broke ground with the first shovelful of earth, officially launching the construction of the future Télémixte hybrid lift connecting the Savoleyres-La Tzoumaz ski area to Verbier.
Image c/o Televerbier
After many years of waiting, the project finally obtained the required permissions to begin work.
The second section of this new installation is set to open in winter 2025–2026, and the entire line will be fully operational in 2026.
The initial version of this project, devised in 2011, has been changed due to technical advances and a reassessment of Téléverbier’s needs.
The new project has also taken into account the concerns of critics and the community, leading to an amicable agreement.
The Télémixte lift is a modern, top-quality installation in accordance with the latest industry standards.
The lift features a ten-seater gondola connecting Les Esserts (1,700m) to the summit of Savoleyres (2,200m).
A six-seater chairlift joins the lift linking Les Planards middle cable car station to Savoleyres mountain station.
Image c/o Televerbier
“Comprised of three separate stations, this installation has been developed for optimum comfort and convenience with boarding on the same level to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility, buggies, and bikes in the summer season,” said a statement from the resort.
“More than just a replacement, the Télémixte lift aims to improve customer experience by making the journey between Verbier and La Tzoumaz easier, faster and more comfortable for everyone.”
This new construction will replace two lifts from the 1970s: the Savoleyres cable car and the Sud ski lift.
The old Savoleyres lift. Image © PlanetSKI
The old Savoleyres lift. Image © PlanetSKI
A new piste will be introduced between Le Carrefour and the departure station of the new lift, creating a direct skiable route from the Les Ruinettes sector.
This long-awaited project represents a key phase in the development of the Verbier 4Vallées ski area.
Technical Data
| Capacity of the number of people per hour on the Esserts – Planards section | 1,675 |
| Capacity of the number of people per hour on the Planards – Savoleyres section | 2,650 |
| Model of the cabins | Omega V |
| Seat model | Doppelmayr/Garaventa – Type DCD6-M |
| Operating speed of the two installations | 6 m/s |
| Travel time | Esserts – Planards: 6.48 min Planards-Savoleyres: 5.29 min |
