With the inauguration of the new Sétaz gondola lift, Valloire-Galibier is entering a decisive new phase in its development. This structuring project is just the first step in a vast modernisation plan, with an investment of 130 million euros up to 2043. This transformation is based on an ambitious vision: to adapt the resort to climate change, optimise the skier experience and enhance the all-season appeal of the destination. ‘We have a responsibility to future generations. This 2043 plan is not just about modernisation, it’s about redefining our mountain resort model’, explains Jean-Marie Martin, CEO of SEM Valloire.
New Sétaz gondola lift: a significant improvement in comfort and accessibility
‘It’s a huge leap forward,’ says Jean-Marie Martin. ‘The feedback from skiers is extremely positive. There is a real enthusiasm for this new installation, which makes it easier to access an under-exploited sector of the ski area.’
The old 40-year-old cable car posed several major problems: a strenuous two-storey climb up an inclined ramp, unergonomic cabins making boarding difficult and a limited throughput due to the configuration of the installation. “We had a real throughput problem compared to the theoretical throughput. In theory, the old gondola lift could carry 2,200 people per hour, but in practice, we never reached this capacity. Boarding was difficult, with skiers having to climb two floors carrying their skis vertically, which was uncomfortable and slowed down the flow. Once they reached the cabin, the opening was narrow and the layout did not allow each vehicle to be filled completely, which resulted in significant capacity losses,” explains Jean-Marie Martin.
Thanks to the new Sétaz cable car, these constraints have been eliminated. “Today, we have removed the inclined ramp and optimised boarding. Now, skiers can access the cable car directly via a gentle ramp with two separate lanes, facilitating the distribution of flows. What’s more, they can enter the cabin with their skis on and put them down on the ground, which greatly improves the experience,’ he explains.
This change has optimised the actual throughput, which now reaches 2400 people per hour, the equivalent of the theoretical throughput. “We were even able to test the maximum capacity on a busy day during the school holidays: in 40 minutes, we absorbed the entire flow, including that of another gondola lift that was temporarily out of service. ‘This shows how necessary and effective this modernisation was,” he adds. “Skiers can now use this lift several times a day without any constraints, which was not possible with the old one.”
This transformation has not only improved user comfort, but has also changed the dynamics of use of the ski area. ‘Before, skiers avoided this sector because of the difficulties of access. Today, we have observed a rebalancing of flows between the two massifs, with a 10% increase in the use of all the ski lifts in the Sétaz massif’, explains Jean-Marie Martin.
A facility integrated into a long-term strategy
This modernisation is part of a larger plan, involving investments of 130 million euros spread out until 2043. ‘Our strategy is based on three pillars: improving skiing, developing four-season activities and ensuring ecological and sustainable management of the domain’, explains Jean Marie Martin.
However, this transformation is not without its constraints. ‘Valloire is a historic village resort, which means that we have strong geographical constraints. We studied six different routes before choosing the one that best met the environmental, technical and financial requirements,’ he adds. One of the main challenges was to reconcile modernisation with the preservation of the natural and built heritage. ‘We chose to reuse the historic route of the old cable car, minimising the environmental impact by using sites that had already been cleared and developed.’
At the same time, this transformation is part of a broader vision of restructuring the ski area, in particular with the rise in altitude of the beginners‘ areas and the strengthening of the existing infrastructures. ’In about fifteen years‘ time, our kindergartens will be located at higher altitudes, guaranteeing better snow quality and greater attractiveness for families’, he explains.
In addition, Valloire is committed to economic diversification by developing activities that complement skiing. ‘We are not seeking to expand our ski area, but to make it more attractive and functional throughout the year. We have therefore planned major investments in mountain biking, hiking and leisure facilities such as a wellness centre’. Finally, the economic challenge was central to this reflection. ‘We have extended our public service delegation by six years, until 2040, in order to guarantee the long-term viability of these investments. This extension allows us to better plan our development and to finance projects that will benefit the entire territory,’ says Jean Marie Martin.
A responsible environmental approach and a logistical challenge
One of the main challenges of this modernisation is the sustainable management of resources, particularly water for artificial snow. ‘Our studies show that we have 80 years of skiing ahead of us above 1900 metres’, reassures Jean-Marie Martin. ‘However, the seasonality of rainfall is changing: there will be more melting and rain in winter, and more drought in summer. Our challenge is therefore to adapt our storage capacities.’
Today, the existing hill reservoir can only store two-thirds of the volume needed for snow production. ‘We need to increase this storage in order to guarantee efficient production, without having to rely on withdrawals during critical periods. We have therefore launched a project for two new hill reservoirs, which will also be used for an innovative pumped-storage energy system’, he explains. ‘We have to deal with peaks in electricity production and consumption. By collaborating with the local authority, we are setting up a system to store surplus energy and release it during periods of high demand. It is a solution that addresses both environmental and economic issues.’
This system is based on a system of pumping energy between two reservoirs located at different altitudes. “When there is a surplus of energy on the grid, we use this electricity to pump water to the upper reservoir. During periods of high demand, we use turbines to pump the water back down to produce electricity. This allows us to stabilise the network and maximise the use of renewable energy,” explains Jean-Marie Martin.
At the same time, this project aims to improve the water resilience of the domain by guaranteeing a sufficient supply of water for artificial snow. ‘We want to avoid drawing from waterways at critical times, when levels are at their lowest. By storing water upstream, we will be able to manage our needs according to climatic conditions and minimise our impact on the local ecosystem,’ he explains.
With the commissioning of this new gondola lift and the modernisation plan as a whole, Valloire-Galibier is positioning itself as a resort that is resolutely focused on the future. ‘We have a clear roadmap: to adapt our resort to climate change, diversify our offering and guarantee an ever more fluid and pleasant experience for our visitors,’ says Jean Marie Martin.
Finally, he concludes on the importance of collaboration with local actors and institutions: ‘None of this could be achieved without a shared vision with the municipality, tourism professionals and our partners. We have a collective responsibility to make Valloire a model of a sustainable and attractive resort.’
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