Project details
In order to maximise flexibility during the winter and summer in the three stations which will be part of the new installation, Téléverbier has chosen the Telemix D-Line by Doppelmayr /Garaventa.
Pedestrians, skiers and cyclists (in the summer) will all have access to an installation which will greatly facilitate transport between Verbier and Savoleyres-La Tzoumaz.
The Télémixte project is a brand new, highly innovative system, rarely found on the market. It is a combination of 6-seater chairlifts and 10-seater cabins, all operating on the same line.
There will be three stations, each with its own specific characteristics.
The cabins, accessible at ground level, will be suitable for people with reduced mobility. Lifts will be installed to facilitate access for families with prams.
The division of the sections
With its nine pylons and a vertical rise of 220 m, the first section will link Les Esserts to Les Planards. Only cabins will run on it. The starting point (Les Esserts), accessible by bus or on skis, will offer sales points and ski storage facilities for the customers’ convenience. There will also be a new connection between Les Ruinettes and Les Esserts, which will provide direct access, on skis, to the new installation from Verbier.
The second section, which will link Les Planards to the top of Savoleyres, will have eleven pylons and a vertical rise of 405 m. Both chairlifts and cabins will run on it.
The station at Les Planards will occupy a key position, housing the power station of the first section and the tension return station of the second. As well as the motor, the power station will include other essential elements such as the braking system and the auxiliary engine. A fast, efficient points system will be installed to direct the chairlifts so that they only run on the second section.
The standard 6-seater chairlifts won’t require bubbles (weather protection covers), as the section is south-facing. This will allow passengers to enjoy the sunshine. The seats will be 520 mm wide, providing a generous amount of space for each passenger, and the air spring suspension system will ensure maximal comfort.
These innovations and technical choices bear witness to the importance of both operational efficiency and integration into the landscape. They will meet the needs of the users and help protect the mountain environment.
Architecture and landscape
The design of the stations, created by FIMA Architecture, has been very carefully planned, down to the smallest detail, to blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. The base station, tucked away in the forest, will be built in wood, to blend in with the surroundings. The middle station at Les Planards will be a longer building, connecting the Les Esserts-Les Planards section to the Les Planards-Savoleyres one, making access easier for users. The building will be covered with stones to blend in with the mountains.
The top station, at Savoleyres, will be near the former cable car station. It will house the patrol headquarters and a technical services workshop, essential for the smooth running and maintenance of the ski area.
Technical characteristics and challenges
One of the most notable aspects of this project is the presence of two motors, which will operate the two sections independently. This system allows for maximal flexibility and increased safety, particularly in difficult situations.
The cable cars will transport passengers along the whole line, in winter and summer alike, whereas the chairlift will only operate on the second section (Les Planards-Savoleyres). This is due to the altitude and the fact that there is a greater distance between the pylons because of the presence of avalanche paths.
The chairlift will offer a great level of comfort during busy periods and will also ensure fast transfers between the Savoleyres-La Tzoumaz and Verbier sectors.
The haul rope
Technically, the project is very complex, particularly concerning the sorting of chairlifts and cabins. A sophisticated points system, developed by Doppelmayr/Garaventa, will select and direct the vehicles to the appropriate station according to their type.
This innovative technology has been used successfully in other resorts and guarantees smooth, safe operation.
advantages
Very little vibration from the stranded wire rope* and the lay length
The plastic profiles reduce vibrations, which makes the installation more stable and silent.
* (wires twisted together to increase strength)
Operates quietly
As there are no vibrations, the noise from the cables is greatly reduced, creating a more pleasant environment.
Fewer shortenings required
The cables are less likely to retract. This reduces the number of adjustments necessary for maintaining the correct tension. Innovative high-performance cables like the PERFORMA-DT ones minimise any changes in the length, which allows the tension to remain constant and reduces the need for frequent readjustments
Rollers* last much longer
There is no contact with the stranded wire rope.
*(the wheels that the cable and lifts glide over)
Length of the cable can be calculated precisely
As the cables are more stable, it is easier to measure the exact length of the cable, which, in turn, facilitates planning and installation.
Less wear and tear on the pulleys
Reduction of vibrations and friction means maintenance and repair costs are lower.
Technical data
| Carrying capacity per hour |
Esserts – Planards : 1’675 |
| Cabin model | Omega V |
| Chair model | Doppelmayr/GARAVENTA– Type DCD6-M |
| Vertical rise Esserts – Planards | 220 m over a stretch of 1,265 m |
| Vertical rise Planards - Savoleyres | 405 m over a stretch of 1,440 m |
| Speed of the two installations | 6 m/s |
| Contractor | Téléverbier SA |
| Inclined length per section | Esserts – Planards : 1,264.50 m Planards – Savoleyres : 1,439.30 m |
| Number of vehicles | 30 chairlifts + 59 cabins |
| Length of the journey | Esserts – Planards : 6.48 min Planards – Savoleyres : 5.29 min |
| Driving power | Esserts – Planards : 248 kW Planards- Savoleyres : 604 kW |
| Cable diameter | 50 mm |
