In the Louron Valley, in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, a quiet revolution has been taking place since 2019. The launch of the SkyVall, the valley lift connecting the village of Loudenvielle to the Peyragudes resort, has profoundly transformed the area’s tourist and economic appeal.
‘I had been nurturing this project for almost decades,’ says Michel Pélieu, President of the Hautes-Pyrénées Departmental Committee. ‘Loudenvielle had enormous potential, but it lacked a natural link to the ski area. Today, this connection has made the valley a coherent, lively and dynamic space.’
A structuring project: from idea to reality
SkyVall did not come about by chance. Its origins date back to strategic discussions that began in the early 2010s, with the aim of bringing a large-scale project to fruition without increasing the local tax burden. ‘We had to meet a challenge: to scale an investment that was affordable for the region,’ recalls Michel Pélieu. ‘We set a budget of no more than €10 million, starting with a capacity of 800 people per hour, which proved entirely satisfactory in the early years.’
Inaugurated in August 2019, the valley lift quickly proved popular. Its success, driven by the harmonious development of the area and a strategy of diversifying tourism, led to a rapid increase in visitor numbers. ‘The SkyVall is a real synergy between the lower and upper parts of the valley. People staying down below park their cars, go up to ski in ten minutes, and vice versa, those staying at altitude come down to enjoy Loudenvielle,’ explains Michel Pélieu.
By 2025, capacity had been increased to 1,200 passengers per hour thanks to the addition of around fifteen extra cabins and the construction of a garage to protect the equipment. ‘We wanted to maintain an undeniable quality of service, allowing all these new customers, as well as our loyal regulars, to enjoy a facility that works well, with little waiting time for either the ascent or the descent,’ emphasises Laurent Garcia, director of the Peyragudes resort.
SkyVall, a driver of economic development
From the very first years, the indicators skyrocketed. ‘This is the result of the area’s undeniable appeal,’ says Laurent Garcia. “The valley lift was a catalyst for investment. The four-star Mercure hotel was built at the foot of the cable car and would not have come if the cable car had not been built. But we must not forget the many real estate developments that followed, in the form of co-owned properties and second homes.
Today, more than 2,000 beds are under development or have already been delivered, mainly in the municipality of Loudenvielle. Real estate programmes, led by local and national developers, are multiplying: co-owned properties, second homes and new hotel projects.
‘You’re not buying a means of transport, you’re buying a tool for economic development,’ insists Laurent Garcia, repeating a phrase he heard during the initial discussions with POMA: “At the time, Christian Bouvier told us: You’re not buying a means of transport, you’re buying a tool for economic development. And that has certainly proved to be true. ”
This dynamic goes beyond the purely real estate context. The increase in tourist offerings attracts new visitors while retaining a loyal customer base. Shops and services in the valley are benefiting from a steady increase in visitor numbers. Michel Pélieu confirms: ‘The link between Loudenvielle and Peyragudes has generated real added value. People staying down below spend their money up above, and those at altitude come down to enjoy the activities, shops, Balnéa spa, cinema and market.’
This boom is also reflected in spectacular peaks in visitor numbers: on 18 July 2025, the SkyVall valley lift transported 5,000 people in a single day, an all-time record. “We were very pleased to see that after the arrival of the Tour de France stage winner (time trial between Loudenvielle and Peyragudes), we were able to clear the queue in less than two hours, which would not have been possible without this high-performance tool,” adds Laurent Garcia, highlighting the valley lift’s ability to absorb massive flows while maintaining a high level of service quality.
SkyVall: sustainable and innovative mobility
Beyond its economic role, SkyVall has established itself as a model of soft mobility in the heart of the Pyrenees. Since it was commissioned, the valley lift has profoundly changed travel habits in the valley. Every winter, nearly 40,000 fewer vehicles take the Col de Peyresourde road to reach the Peyragudes resort, representing an estimated annual saving of around 300 tonnes of CO₂.
For Laurent Garcia, the resort’s director, this environmental impact is a source of collective pride: “We quantify it every year: with around 200,000 trips in winter — 100,000 uphill and 100,000 downhill — we significantly reduce the number of cars on the road. The result is less pollution, less noise pollution and better traffic flow for everyone. ‘
This commitment to more sustainable mobility is accompanied by the optimisation of existing infrastructure. ’We didn’t need to create new car parks at altitude, which helped to limit land development,” explains Laurent Garcia. In Loudenvielle, peripheral car parks have been built and a system of free shuttles now provides easy access to the valley lift.
Michel Pélieu confirms the strategic importance of this approach: “The valley lift creates this link, this non-polluting route that connects the high-altitude area to the valley area. It’s a real success, and today, no one can imagine going back. ‘
But the SkyVall is not only used by travellers. In recent seasons, the cable car has also begun to be used for freight. ’Some retailers and equipment hire companies already use the SkyVall to transport their stocks of skis, bicycles and other equipment up the mountain before winter,” explains Laurent Garcia. ‘We even have catering supplies, such as for the SkyBar. These are still modest volumes, but we hope to develop this use further in the future.’
With its capacity increased to 1,200 people per hour, the SkyVall remains sized to reach 2,000 passengers in the medium term, in order to support the valley’s growth. ‘The valley lift has generated a lot of added value in terms of real estate, but also in terms of reputation and tourist appeal. Tomorrow, we will adjust the throughput to meet new needs,’ emphasises Michel Pélieu.
The rise of ‘year-round’ tourism
But one of SkyVall’s greatest successes remains its ability to transform the valley into a tourist destination, attracting skiers in winter and mountain bikers, hikers and families the rest of the year. ‘We have been able to develop an appeal that includes mountain biking, hiking and recreational activities, allowing everyone to enjoy a unique experience,’ explains Laurent Garcia.
Today, the area boasts 500 kilometres of mountain bike trails spread across the eastern side of the valley, with routes suitable for all levels, from beginners to seasoned competitors. In summer, the ski lifts have seen 25% growth, while the number of unique users has increased by 40% over the same period.
This summer appeal is also reflected in a variety of offers: 13 to 14 kilometre descents from the resort’s highest point, family hiking trails to Lake Boum, and more technical routes for thrill seekers. More contemplative visitors can enjoy panoramic views, play areas and even a zip line, completing an immersive mountain experience.
For Michel Pélieu, this diversification is part of a long-term vision that began well before the arrival of SkyVall: “Everyone said we needed to diversify our tourist offering. It’s an approach we’ve been pursuing for a long time. The Balnéa thermal leisure centre is proof of this: when we launched the project 25 years ago, no one believed in it. Today, it attracts 302,000 visitors a year and generates €9 million in revenue. “
This forward-thinking vision has given the Louron Valley a head start in the competition between mountain destinations. ‘We have been able to capitalise on our natural assets and a diversified offering,’ concludes Laurent Garcia, ‘and SkyVall plays a central role in this dynamic by facilitating access and creating continuity between all the activities in the valley.’
SkyVall: an inspiring model for the French mountains
In less than six years, SkyVall has established itself as a model of innovative and sustainable mobility, helping to transform the Louron Valley into a dynamic, attractive and environmentally friendly destination.
From economic growth to CO₂ emissions reduction and the development of four-season tourism, this infrastructure embodies a clear vision: that of a region that combines modernity, attractiveness and sustainability.
The president of the Hautes-Pyrénées Departmental Committee makes no secret of his ambitions:
‘We are already considering a link between Loudenvielle and Val Louron, with a cable car more suited to the needs of this resort. Cable cars are tools for the future.’
