Tag Archive for: Savoleyres Bubble Lift

The original Savoleyres bubble lift, operating since 1970, awaiting replacement with this modern Télémixte system.

Savoleyres Lift Update: The New Télémixte Revolutionizing Verbier Skiing

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Savoleyres Lift Update: The Bubble Finally Pops

If you’ve skied in Verbier and ridden the Savoleyres bubble lift, you’ve probably thought two things: Wow, the views! and Is this thing held together with duct tape? Since 1970, this plucky lift has shuttled us to Savoleyres’ powdery delights with all the speed and grace of a snail on skis. But its wobbly days are numbered. Téléverbier has finally broken ground on the long-awaited replacement: the shiny new Télémixte lift! This all part of the TeleVerbier Master Plan!

A Saga Worthy of a Netflix Series

Replacing the Savoleyres bubble hasn’t been a straightforward affair. Planning began in the 90s, and since then, there’s been more drama than a chalet party at 2 a.m. Local opposition, red tape, and debates over piste plans have slowed progress to a crawl. But in 2024, the stars—and the permits—aligned. Cue the excavators and the champagne.

What’s Coming Down the Line?

The Télémixte is the James Bond gadget of lifts: part gondola, part chairlift, all modern. Ten-seat cabins and six-seat chairs will zip skiers from Esserts (1700m) to the top of Savoleyres (2200m) with an optional stop at Planards. The whole journey will take just 12 minutes—barely enough time to post an Instagram story.

There’s more: a new piste will link Carrefour to the Esserts station, smoothing the journey like a freshly groomed blue run. Whether you’re a powder hound or a piste cruiser, this upgrade is a game-changer.

One Last Hurrah for the Bubble

The first section opens in 2025-2026, with full completion by 2026. Until then, take a nostalgic ride on the bubble, preferably with a hip flask for courage. The Télémixte isn’t just a new lift; it’s the start of a sleeker, faster, and frankly more comfortable Savoleyres. Cheers to progress and endless powder days ahead! If you need help navigated Savoleyres let me know!

 

Savoleyres Ski Lift Accessed Powder

Savoleyres Bubble Lift Verbier – What is the Gossip?

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Savoleyres Ski Lift Accessed Powder

Savoleyres Bubble Lift – What is the deal?

This week’s blog is about the Savoleyres bubble lift. It is not long since the end of the winter season and the skiing stopped in Verbier. Winter 18 – 19 has produced many tales of the deepest and steepest skiing ever. However, what has happened to the chat about replacing the oldest, slowest and wobbliest ski lift in Verbier? So, to help you liven up your bar chat this weekend!

Here are 6 question and answers about the Savoleyres ski lift

  1. How old is the Savoleyres bubble lift? The Savoleyres bubble lift first opened in 1970, like all things Swiss was built to last.
  2. Is the Savoleyres bubble lift safe? It maybe a little old and shaky – however TeleVerbier has managed to get a new licence to operate the Savoleyres lift. The previous licence expired in 2018. So, being Switzerland I can only imagine that there has been some sort of safety test!
  3. How long has the Savoleyres bubble lift got left? The current operating licence for the lift is due to expired in 2022. So, we have a few more winters before TeleVerbier will need to get a new licence to operate the Savoleyres lift. Or to build a replacement ski lift!
  4. Is there a plan to replace the Savoleyres bubble lift? Since 1996, TeleVerbier has made multiply attempts at getting planning permission to build a new lift. TeleVerbier’s current plan is shown in the diagram below. However, TeleVebier is struggling to get permission for their replacement plan.
  5. What is stopping the lift from being replaced? TeleVerbier’s planned replacement for the Savoleyres lift has been opposed, since 2012, by a group of chalet owners. The opposition’s views and ideas can be found on their website www.proverbier.com.
  6. What will happen if there is no lift-up to Savoleyres? This is an interesting question… The only downhill skiing access from Verbier to la Tzoumaz will be the Vallon d’Arbi itinerary. Otherwise, it is possible to skin up on touring skis or take public transport to la Tzoumaz.

Bar Chat Conclusion

If, there is no new ski lift or no licence to operate the old lift Savoleyres lift, Verbier will lose access to the la Toumaz ski area. It is difficult to imagine not being able to ski epic powder on Savoleyres. Hopefully, there will be a sensible compromise and a new lift will be built before the current lift is to old to operate.

Seriously if you’ve got this far down the page! Then you really do need some help with your bar chat or your off piste powder skiing!

 

Plan for the new Savoleyres lift