Garaventa: Two New Cable Car Systems Opened In Valais

Garaventa AG has implemented two cable car projects in the Valais ski areas of 4 Valléees and Les Marécottes, which opened last December. The new facilities improve mobility and comfort for skiers, pedestrians and residents alike.

More efficient connection from Prarion to Tracouet through new combined railway

The previous fixed-grip 4-seater chairlift from 1990 no longer met the requirements for a central connection point in the 4 Vallées ski area in Nendaz, which is why a new combination lift was built.

The new D-Line combination cable car, consisting of 58 six-person chairs without a hood and eight OMEGA V cabins for 10 people each from CWA Constructions SA in Olten, offers more comfort and increased transport capacity. The system has separate entry and exit areas for cabins and chairs. This makes the journey between Haute-Nendaz and Siviez noticeably easier - all year round, in winter and summer.

The route has been slightly adjusted: the valley station remains at its current location, while the mountain station has been relocated by around 40 meters to improve traffic flow at the mountain station.

Sustainable mobility in Les Marécottes

TéléMarécottes SA has replaced an existing system dating back to 1968 with a new D-Line gondola lift. The old system was the oldest gondola lift of its kind and no longer met technological standards. Its concession would have expired in 2025.

The new gondola lift is more comfortable and faster. The OMEGA V cabins from CWA Constructions SA can accommodate up to eight people, are more spacious and less susceptible to wind. The route has been retained. The facility is intended to stimulate both summer and winter tourism in the region.

Particular attention was paid to noise protection. Since the cable car is located near hotels and the village, a low-noise PERFORMA cable from Fatzer AG was chosen, which causes minimal vibrations and noise. The valley and mountain stations were completely redesigned. Two facades of each station are equipped with solar panels that support operation through photovoltaics.

project information

6/10-CGD Prarion-Traquet, Haute-Nendaz, Switzerland

• Customer: NV Remontées mécaniques SA
• Inclined length: 1,443 m
• Height difference: 359 m
• Conveying capacity: 2,050 p/h
• Travel speed: 6 m/s
• Opening: 12/2024

8-MGD Les Marécottes-La Creusaz, Les Marécottes, Switzerland

• Customer: TéléMarécottes SA
• Inclined length: 1,200 m
• Vertical drop: 650 m
• Conveying capacity: 700 p/h
• Travel speed: 5 m/s
• Opening: 12/2024