Multifunctional duplex system from Sunkid in Haute-Nendaz (Switzerland)
In summer, the "Tracouet" alp at 2,220 meters above sea level and its mountain lake "Lac Noir" is a picture-book hiking paradise. Tracouet also offers an idyllic mountain panorama and unobstructed views over the Swiss Rhone Valley in winter. But even more important for winter sports enthusiasts who take the gondola lift of the same name is that the Tracouet mountain station acts as a central hub from Nendaz for access to and from the largest ski area network in Switzerland - "Les 4 Vallées" with 410 kilometers.
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, fun in the Kids Park, winter hiking or paragliding - the offer around the mountain station is huge. For this reason, the destination invested heavily in the expansion of a modern, multifunctional lift infrastructure for the 24/25 season. In December 2024, both the "Prarion Telemix" combination lift and a 148-metre-long Sunkid Moving Carpet were opened - covered by a duplex gallery, which also offers space for a family-friendly walkway. Thanks to a LAN connection, cameras and an external terminal, the lift employee also operates and controls the safe and smooth operation of the conveyor belt.
Before the current duplex system, a Moving Carpet (without gallery) with a transport length of 138 m was installed. This replaced a platter lift with a slightly different layout in 2012. This Generation 17 Moving Carpet was overhauled by Borer Lift AG and reinstalled next to the tubing slope in the "Tracouet" area.
The new, ultra-modern duplex facility acts as a child-friendly, easy return from both the ski area and the "Kids park Tracouet", which is located a few meters below the gondola mountain station. Ski School children walk there with their teachers or parents next to the Moving Carpet. Specially anti-slip coated gratings ensure a safe descent - at the steeper start of the wide walkway, young and old can find additional support on a handrail.
The new layout of the Duplex lift has created more space for the slope on the left-hand side and the exit has also been raised to the level of the incoming gondola lift. The light-flooded Duplex L gallery covers the entire entry and exit area as well as the reversing and drive station of the Type N system, including the active belt tensioning device. Electric roller shutters close the gallery completely in the evening or when the system is not in operation. This saves tiresome snow clearing work and has a positive effect on reliability and component durability. Easy-to-open and close sliding doors serve as emergency exits to the ski slope.
Axel Halder, Managing Director of Borer Lift AG, which is responsible for sales and service of Sunkid products in Switzerland, commented on the special requirements and solutions: "The biggest challenge in implementing the new line of the Moving Carpet was that it had to be positioned at a height of up to seven meters above the natural terrain. Simply filling in the terrain was not practical, as the backfilled material would not have provided a permanently stable base.
To ensure a safe and stable construction in the long term, the Moving Carpet was installed on a steel bridge supported by seven concrete pillars for around two thirds of its length. These concrete pillars, which are up to seven meters high, were anchored deep into the load-bearing subsoil to ensure a high level of stability and durability of the installation.
In addition, the slope and the surrounding terrain were raised to the level of the Moving Carpet. This measure offers several advantages: it enables barrier-free access for maintenance, facilitates rapid evacuation in an emergency and reduces the system's susceptibility to wind. It also creates the visual impression that the Moving Carpet and its gallery are resting directly on the natural ground, which blends harmoniously into the landscape."
