Vanoise Express

Vanoise Express is a double-decker aerial tramway in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, connecting the major ski resorts of Les Arcs and La Plagne. Opened in December 2003, it forms the central link of the Paradiski ski area, creating one of the world's largest interconnected ski domains. The lift dramatically reduced travel time between the two resorts, transforming regional tourism and ski logistics.

History

The project was conceived in the late 1990s as a strategic initiative to compete with other large linked ski areas like the Trois Vallées and Portes du Soleil. Driven by the Compagnie des Alpes and local commune syndicates, construction began in 2002 to physically bridge the Ponturin gorge separating the existing domains of Les Arcs and La Plagne. Its inauguration in 2003 was presided over by then-Minister of Tourism Léon Bertrand, marking a significant milestone for Savoie and the French winter sports industry. The creation of the Paradiski area, centered on this link, was a direct response to the growing demand for vast, car-free ski terrain.

Technical specifications

Built by a consortium led by Poma and Leitner Ropeways, it is one of the few double-decker aerial tramways in the world. The system features two independent cabins, each with a capacity of 200 people, suspended from a single track rope with a separate haul rope. The cabins traverse the span across the Ponturin valley at a height of , propelled by a drive system housed at the La Plagne station. The design required advanced engineering to manage significant wind loads and temperature variations common in the Alps.

Operation and usage

Operated by the Compagnie des Alpes under the Paradiski banner, it runs daily during the winter ski season and summer tourist periods, subject to weather conditions. It is integrated into the Paradiski lift pass system, allowing seamless access between over 425 kilometers of pistes. The four-minute crossing is a vital transport link for skiers and also carries mountain bikers and hikers in the summer, significantly influencing daily visitor flow patterns between Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and the various villages of La Plagne like Plagne Centre and Belle Plagne.

Incidents and safety

In July 2007, a serious incident occurred when one cabin detached from the haul rope and slid backwards, crashing into the station in Les Arcs; two cabins collided, resulting in minor injuries to eight people. An investigation by Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile and Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement identified a faulty hydraulic clamp as the cause. The lift remained closed for several months for modifications and rigorous safety testing by Poma before reopening. This event led to enhanced inspection protocols across the French cable car industry.

Cultural and economic impact

Its construction solidified the Tarentaise Valley's status as a premier global ski destination, directly competing with Courchevel and Val d'Isère. The Paradiski area, enabled by this link, generates substantial revenue for Compagnie des Alpes and local businesses, supporting employment in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Mâcot-la-Plagne. It has been featured in numerous ski films, international advertising campaigns, and documentaries about the Alps, becoming an iconic symbol of modern large-scale ski resort engineering. The link has also spurred real estate development and increased year-round tourism in previously more isolated sectors.

Category:Aerial tramways in France Category:Buildings and structures in Savoie Category:Tourist attractions in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Category:2003 establishments in France