Between 2010 and 2022, France reduced its number of ski lifts by 17.8%*. This
rationalization is accompanied by the modernization of infrastructure,
promoting new summer activities in mountain resorts.

Opening ski lifts in the summer is now an integral part of a mountain resort's
sustainable and eco-friendly development strategy. This four-season approach,
particularly supported by each region's tourist office, allows vacationers, hikers, and
mountain biking enthusiasts to access high-altitude trails from the valleys. With their
pass, they can use a chairlift, gondola lift, or aerial tramway after the snow melts in
their region. What’s the objective? To offer tourists a rich summer experience while
minimizing environmental impact, all while waiting for the next winter season and the
opening of ski slopes.

What’s New for Ski Lifts?

©Leitner

the starting points of mountain biking trails as well as hiking paths. With marked and
secure trails for all levels, adults and children alike can enjoy spectacular mountain
panoramas without the effort of climbing, with the option to return on foot or by
gondola.

Modernizing ski lifts also means energy savings. To produce green energy, mountain
resorts are investing in solar panels and sometimes wind turbines. In addition to
reducing their carbon footprint, they produce their own renewable electricity to power
ski lifts year-round. Other resorts manage to reduce their energy consumption by
adjusting lift operations based on demand.

Examples of innovations presented at the Mountain Planet 2024 trade show:

• With EcoDrive, designed by Leitner, ski lift operators can achieve up to 20%
  energy savings. This system controls and regulates the speed of aerial
  ropeways using cameras that count waiting passengers.
• An eco-driving aid is also offered by Bluecime on SIVAO, the Intelligent
  Computer Vision System. Aerial ropeways, chairlifts or gondolas, are
  equipped with a module that analyzes seat occupancy in real-time, allowing
  operators to adjust transport speed.

Discover the 2024 Innovation Awards

Innovations in ticketing and sales optimization

Digital passes are becoming more common in mountain resorts, offering numerous
advantages to visitors and ski lift operators. In the summer, hikers and mountain
bikers can purchase and activate their passes via a mobile app. They can directly
access the ski lifts from the resort or surrounding valleys. With optimized online sales
and reduced processing costs, these solutions allow resorts to better manage
customer data and offer targeted promotions.

The development of multi-activity passes allows for the combination of various
activities beyond skiing. Whether the user is a casual walker or a seasoned athlete.
Digital passes exemplify the trend of digitalizing services in resorts. The goal is to
improve the customer experience while optimizing the management of mountain
areas.

Among the innovations awarded this year at the Mountain Planet trade show is the
XP Connect solution. It reflects the mountain resorts' desire to facilitate access to
ski lifts, in both winter and summer, from villages and valleys. This innovation aims to
enhance user experience by simplifying pass management and purchase. With 70%autonomous sales, vacationers can manage their pass from their smartphone, thanks to a mobile app paired with e-wallet and NFC technology. No more waiting in line to enjoy ski lifts. Pedestrians and mountain bikers can easily access their gondola or chairlift with their digital pass. This innovation also applies to valley lifts connecting valleys to resorts, particularly for summer activities.

REPLAY: CONFERENCE ON THE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION OF MOUNTAIN AREAS AT THE MOUNTAIN PLANET 2024 EXHIBITION

* Source: DSF (The French Ski Areas Association)