Pila’s Spectacular New Gondola Partial Opening With New Pistes Too
Pila’s Spectacular New Gondola Partial Opening With New Pistes Too
Published : 24-Nov-2024 08:35
A major upgrade to the ski area above the Aosta Valley resort of Pila will see the opening of the new 10-seater 'Couis 1' gondola lift and a new slope connecting Couis 1 to Couis 2.
The new lift, which represents the second section of the Pila-Couis route to be completed, will replace the historic double chairlift which dates back to the late 1980s. The gondola is part of the Pila - Couis project, an advanced lift that will allow skiers and non-ski tourists to reach an altitude of 2,700 metres in just 15 minutes.
At the top visitors will be able to enjoy a breathtaking panorama taking in many of the most iconic peaks of the Alps, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Grivola and Gran Paradiso.
"The project, designed by the architectural firm De Carlo - Gualla, stands out for its integrated approach to the environment. The new cableways and stations represent a combination of avant-garde architecture and engineering, characterised by the use of innovative materials and technologies, as well as a futuristic design specifically conceived for high altitudes," a Pila spokesperson said.
The complete system features a 10-passenger gondola lift in two sections, with two further intermediate stations, which will connect the arrival station of the current Aosta-Pila gondola to the Platta de Grevon (Couis 1) area.
The departure station in Pila, located at an altitude of 1,800 metres, will be equipped with an innovative service centre, while the arrival station upstream, with a special star-shaped design oriented towards the main Aosta Valley peaks, will house a panoramic bar-restaurant and services for the public.
Currently, three lifts and about 60 minutes are required to reach Couis 1 from Pila on skis. With the new infrastructure, it will be possible to access this point in only 30 minutes, starting directly from the centre of Aosta, climbing 2,200 vertical metres.
Construction work on the Pila Gorraz station and intermediate station will begin and be completed during the spring and summer of 2025, with the inauguration of the entire facility scheduled for December 2025.
Along with the completion of the latest gondola stage, a new ski slope will be unveiled this winter connecting Couis 1 to Couis 2, equipped with a snowmaking system. This will allow access to all the slopes on the Couis 2 side from the arrival of the Couis 1 gondola.
In addition, the existing red slope n° 7 – Plan de L'Eyvie, has been widened and improved and black slope n° 8 – Tsa Creusa has also been improved. Finally there's also a new alternative route to red slope n° 9 – Couis 1.
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