Saint Lary ski resort inaugurates its new Fôret chairlift
Published:
Dec 19, 2023
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New Fôret chairlift in Saint Lary
This Wednesday, the new Fôret chairlift will be inaugurated in the ski resort of Saint-Lary-Soulan. The new six-people detachable lift will connect Espiaubé to the Soum de Matte and will allow skiing in an area that usually enjoys good snow quality.
The project is part of the Saint-Lary modernization program, one of the most ambitious in the Pyrenees, with an investment of 25 million euros, the first phase of which began last season with the replacement of the Espiaube gondola lift and the Tourette chairlift.
The new Fôret de Sain Lary chairlift will now be able to transport 2,100 people per hour (later extendable to 2,700) along its 1,300 meters of travel, with a 600-meter vertical drop. The holiday takes 5 minutes from its departure on the left side of the Espiaube cable car to its arrival about 80 meters from the Bouleaux chairlift landing terminal.
The inauguration of this new chairlift is the second and last phase of the Saint Lary modernization project, which has led to the dismantling of up to five old ski lifts and the removal of 38 bollards. Not only that. The Fôret is expected to reduce the number of shuttle buses in the area; improve the experience and, together with the existing Lita chairlift, allow visitors to return more quickly to the Pla d'Adet; and minimize the impact on the landscape and biodiversity.
At 3.45 h from Bilbao, 4.15 h from Barcelona and 6.20 h from Madrid, as the main cities receiving skiers, Saint-Lary is celebrating its 66th season. It opened its doors for the first time in 1957, and since then it has not stopped growing, becoming, with 105 kilometres of slopes, the largest winter resort in the French Pyrenees. Its 59 slopes are distributed among the Pla d'Adet, Espiaube and Le Vallon du Portet ski areas, which culminate at an altitude of 2,515 meters.
Technical data new TSD6 Fôrett:
- Type: detachable chairlift
- Departure elevation:
- Arrival level:
- Length: 1,3 kilometres
- Elevation gain: 600 meters
- Number of chairs: 67 with 6 people
- Speed: 5m/s
- Travel time: 5 minutes
- Capacity: 2,100 pers/h (expandable to 2,700)
- Bollards: 14
- Manufacturer: Bartholet
- Inauguration: December 20, 2023
The new Fôret de Saint Lary chairlift is a six-people chairlift.
More novelties for this winter
This season, new heated ski lockers have been installed for 3 to 5 pairs each. The system is also designed from an environmental point of view, as the lockers are kept warm by the heat of the gondola engine.
In this regard, Altiservice has signed a new contract for the supply of 100% renewable electricity for 2024 and 2025, green energy produced entirely locally.
Christmas agenda
Saint-Lary Soulan has a rich heritage that this Christmas season will be illuminated, will feature the special decorations of the shop windows of local establishments and many other activities.
- On December 23, at 5 p.m., the Bear Academy will offer the free awareness show "First Sliding Sensations!" for children under 7 years old.
- On December 24 and 30, at 7 p.m., the dance and animation show "Magic's Kids" Boum de Noël will take place;
- on December 26 and January 2, at 10:00 am, the local producers' market; and at 4:00 pm, the guided tour of Saint-Lary, which will be held again on Wednesday, January 3, at 4:00 pm;
- on December 26 at 6 pm, the "Duo Chanson au Jazz" with Claire Benoit;
- on December 27 and January 3, at 6:30 pm and on March 6, at 6:45 pm, the descent of torches on the Pla d'Adet.
And, beyond Christmas
- the Garosnow 2024 Festival will be held from January 19 to 21;
- the Bigorre Pig Festival will take place on January 27;
- from February 9 to 11, the Freeride World Tour Junior; and from 16 to 17 March
- from March 16 to 17, the X'Trem Freeride 2024.
TSD6 Fôret closes a stage of modernization in Saint Lary
See ski deals in Saint-Lary