Morzine-Avoriaz invests heavily for 2012/13
Situated in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, Morzine-Avoriaz has an incredible investment of 36.5 million euros for winter 2012/13
This money is mainly being invested in new ski lifts, including an innovative cable car with a budget of 25 million euros, but also in the development of pistes and snow making.
These investments have been spearheaded by the companies behind the ski area wanting to ensure skiers are satisfied with high quality lifts and pistes. They also ensure Morzine-Avoriaz’s position as a leader in the winter sports market.
LIFTS
3S Prodains Cable Car
The Prodains cable car, a strategic lift linking Morzine with the Avoriaz ski area will be replaced by a new 3S lift. This type of lift uses the most modern ski lift technology and results in a high speed cable-car that slows down for people to embark and disembark. The main advantages are an exceptional comfort, a high speed (7 metres per second), and therefore, a high capacity (from 2000 to 2400 people per hour, depending on the number of cabins). Only 6 lifts of this type are currently in use worldwide.
The lift is being installed by the company Poma-Leitner. The line will use 2 pylons and carry 12 35 place cabins. There will be new departure and arrival stations, that integrate well into the landscape. Half-buried, they will be more easily accesible and enable a better flow of skiers onto the pistes.
The new Prodains 3S cable car will be in service for the February holidays in 2013. Until this date the former cable car will remain in service.
High speed 6 seater Troncs chairlift
The Troncs chairlift will be replaced with a 6 place high speed, slow boarding chairlift. This lift is a key link between the Pléney and Nyon sectors in the Morzine-Les Gets ski area. It will facilitate access for skiers onto the Nyon plateau and the Pointe de Nyon: a popular area that is well-loved for the incredible view it offers over Morzine village and the surrounding peaks, plus its fantastic pistes and more accessible snowpark.
The arrival and departure stations are being installed in an innovative manner. The foundations are premade, and brought onto the site. This means the construction of the roof and the rest of the structure can be achieved in just a few hours. Faster construction, optimal security, and a top quality construction are guaranteed by this new method. The Troncs chairlift is only the 2nd lift to benefit from these new methods.
SNOW MAKING
Water Reserve
A water reserve of 80 000m² is being constructed on the Chavanette area. This will optimise snow making in this area, ensuring the link with Avoriaz.
Snow cannons
30 extra cannons will be installed in Nyon (Piste des Freux), Chamossière (piste des Blanchots) and on the Pléney (stade d’Atray). With this new equipment over 70% of the Morzine ski area will be equipped with snow making, ensuring conditions throughout the season.
PISTE MANAGEMENT
Enlarging and remodelling ski slopes
The skiers boulevard in Avoriaz will be 5 metres wider throughout its length.
The final part of the Crôt piste will also be worked on, in order to access the lower station of the Prodains cable car. The aim is to make the piste more accessible to beginner skiers, while preserving an interesting area for good skiers, also ensuring the possibility of hosting high level ski competitions.
Creation of managed and secure sledging slopes
2 sledging pistes will be created at the base of the Pléney ski slopes in Morzine: 1 is for children aged 3 to 6 years and the other is for older children and adults. These will be signed, marked out, groomed and secured. Due to these areas, sledging is not allowed on the ski slopes.