J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

The giant French ski area of La Plagne is embracing cutting-edge tech this winter with the newest addition to its avalanche safety team: a DJI drone.

Lightweight, rapid-response and equipped with thermal imaging and AI, the drone can detect avalanche activity, scan high-risk zones, and guide rescue teams within minutes.

Four ski patrollers have spent the past year training to operate this advanced equipment, which its intended will not only enhance skier safety but also support year-round lift inspections and maintenance.

Mürren will open a terrain park on its Schilthorn Mountain in a week's time.

Crews have been working to uncover snow stockpiled through the summer months in a snow farming operation and are now spreading it back out on the slopes before forming it into terrain features.

The terrain park, located in the Engetal, opens from Saturday, September 27th.

Space on the snow is limited however and those wanting to get on must register for their slot in advance via the Pända Freestyle Sessions website: panda-snowpark.ch

Tickets are 55 Swiss francs for adults aged 20 and over, 32 Francs for teens aged 16-19 and 32 Francs for younger children aged 6-15.

Mürren will join Saas Fee and Zermatt as a third Swiss September snowsports option. The only other areas currently open are in Italy at Passo Stelvio and Val Senales, the latter opening for its 25-26 season today.

Three Austrian areas, Pitztal, Solden and Hintertux, are also expected to open next weekend from the 26th or 27th September.

Courchevel is celebrating 80 years since its post-war creation this winter and has announced its famous Chenus gondola is undergoing a major upgrade ahead of the season start, marking a new chapter for La Croisette after 55 years of service.

A new-generation POMA lift will offer faster, more sustainable access to the Loze massif from a redesigned base station at the heart of the Front de Neige, easing congestion near Verdons. At the summit, a spacious arrival station will feature public restrooms, a picnic room, and a logistics hub to reduce reliance on snowmobiles and groomers. Guests can also enjoy a panoramic terrace and sunlit relaxation area with bay windows catching rays until 1:50 p.m even in midwinter.

Following the original route, the new lift will double capacity to 2,400 passengers per hour via 10-seat EVO 2 cabins. Sustainability is key: 400m² of solar panels, rainwater recovery, and wildlife-sensitive construction schedules reflect Courchevel's eco-conscious ethos.

"This new gondola combines modernity, cutting-edge technology and sustainability," said Philippe Mottier, head of Courchevel's ski lifts. "It will offer comfortable, seamless access and reinforce S3V's forward-thinking vision for mountain tourism."

Les 2 Alpes is improving its options for new and novice skiers this winter with the launch of two new or improved beginner areas at altitude—located at 2,100m and 2,600m.

To make sure that beginners have good snow, new learning areas at high altitude are being created: the learning area at 2,100m has been redesigned, there is a new beginner area at 2,600m and lifty-company SATA say there's a third planned, right up at 3.200m

Two new magic carpets have been added at the first stop of the Jandri at 2,600 (tapis Express and tapis Grand Plan) so skiers can easily access the Chalet de la Toura restaurant and the Toura ski area.

These additions, similar to moves made by Serre Chevalier and many other resorts, mark a major shift in how first-timers experience the mountain, offering snow-sure conditions and panoramic views from day one, rather than a traditional valley learning facility at the base of the slopes.

At Les 2 Alpes the move complements existing beginner-friendly infrastructure at resort level (1,650m), including three free magic carpet lifts and easy-access gondolas. Crucially, the new elevated zones allow learners to progress higher up the mountain without sacrificing comfort or safety—thanks to gentle gradients, modern lift access, and proximity to restaurants like Chalet de la Toura. The resorts new Jandri cable car offers swift returns from the elevated beginner zone.

Verbier is working on a major lift upgrade that will see the retirement of the resort's ageing Savoleyres cable car and the introduction of a modern, high-capacity system linking Verbier with La Tzoumaz.

The first phase, due to open this winter 2025, involves a new six-seater chairlift from Les Planards to the Savoleyres summit. A second phase will follow in 2026/27, delivering a full Télémixte system that blends gondolas and chairs for year-round use.

The new Esserts–Savoleyres lift will feature 10-seater cabins and 6-seater chairs, with level-access stations designed for skiers, pedestrians and cyclists. The upgrade is expected to ease congestion, improve accessibility and enhance the overall experience across the 4 Vallées ski area.

A new piste will also be created to connect Le Carrefour to Les Esserts via a forest trail and tunnel, improving downhill flow into Verbier.

Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort, is set to enhance its lift infrastructure this winter with the launch of a brand-new gondola and the reopening of its iconic Cime Caron cable car.

The new "Face Nord" gondola, built by Doppelmayr, replaces the old Glacier and Col chairlifts and forms part of a wider strategy to improve skier flow across the resort. With 22 cabins and a capacity of 1,450 passengers per hour, the lift provides direct access to the Asters and Face Nord slopes, while also creating a key link to the Orelle sector via the Lory blue run — an accessible route suitable for all levels. The €15 million investment reflects Val Thorens' ongoing commitment to modernising its ski area while maintaining broad accessibility.

Meanwhile, the Cime Caron cable car — a landmark feature of the resort since 1982 — returns this season with two brand-new cabins. The lift restores direct access to Val Thorens' highest point at 3,200 metres, offering panoramic views over more than 1,000 Alpine peaks. It also connects skiers and pedestrians to the recently opened Caron 3200 complex, which includes a rooftop terrace, wine bar, restaurant and event space.

Together, these upgrades mark a major milestone in the resort's infrastructure development. The lifts will be operational from 22 November 2025, coinciding with the start of the resort's six-month ski season.

Image credit: L.Brochot - OT Val Thorens

Breuil-Cervinia is set for a dramatic lift transformation as Cervino S.p.A. launches its €200 million "Cervino – The One" initiative, aimed at building the long-discussed upgrade of access to the Plateau Rosà and the cross-border connection with Zermatt.

The ambitious will see two cutting-edge Leitner 3S gondolas, slashing journey times from nearly an hour to just 15–20 minutes.

The new system will triple uphill capacity to 3,000 passengers per hour, with the gondolas featuring Symphony 3D cabins offering panoramic views, heated seating, and high-altitude comfort.

Stretching nearly six kilometres and climbing over 1,400 vertical metres, the dual-line installation also promises wind resilience up to 100 km/h and year-round operation—ending the resort's annual closure of its access to the year-round glacier ski area above Zermatt.

The project also reimagines Plan Maison and Bardoney lift stations with modern amenities.

Backed by €70 million from the Aosta Valley region, the remainder will be funded through Cervino's own capital and bank financing. Construction is slated to begin next spring, with completion expected by 2030.

Australia's largest ski area, Perisher, has moved to the top of the world snow depth table after the latest in a series of big snowstorms Australia has had this season took it past the 2 metre upper depth mark.

It's the first time this year that a southern hemisphere ski area has posted deeper cover than a northern hemisphere one. Perisher overtakes Switzerland's Saas Fee which has held top spot with a 2m base since it opened for its 25-26 season in early July.

"We've had 67cm of snow; it's great to hear," said Andrew King, Perisher Resort Services Director on Saturday, adding, "We've got over 2 metres of snow base and a fantastic Spring coming up. There are plenty of events happening and plenty of snow; come down and have a great time!"

Perisher current upper base is 210cm, whilst Saas-Fees has dropped to 140cm following summer heat in the Alps.

Despite predictions of a warmer and drier winter than average, Australian ski areas have posted one of their best winters of the 21st century, with most now posting over 3 metres of snowfall this season to date. That's more than most resorts in the Andes and New Zealand which have generally had below average snowfall seasons.

September, which sees the start of spring, is the last month of the season for many southern hemisphere ski areas including Australian, although it remains to be seen if some now extend their winters into September.

Perisher is hosting a stacked events calendar this Spring with the Rad Dad Double Demin Day for Father's Day, Retro Weekend, and more on the roster. With all four resort areas open, guests can expect superb Spring skiing and riding.