La Chaux Express is a new type of installation known as Combimix. To keep things simple, it alternates on the same cable between eight-seater cabins and detachable six-seater chairlifts, totalling 20 cable cars and sixty chairlifts. While this type of skilift already exists elsewhere in the world La Chaux Express is the only one to serve tow sides of the same mountain. Two points of departure are possible, either from Les Ruinettes (at 2,000 m), or from La Chaux (2,260 m). The intermediate station is located on the Crête de Fontanays (2,482 m) and serves slopes on both sides, as well as the “1936 Neipark”. This new installation replaces two chairlifts, Fontanays and Combe 1, which were dismantled during the summer.

Téléverbier SA has opted for this revolutionary solution in order to meet the needs of the two types of clientele that regularly frequent this area. First of all, there are seasoned skiers or snowboarders going off towards Mont-Fort. La Chaux Express with its chairlifts enables them to take advantage of the slopes leading from the pass to the departure of the Jumbo. That means they no longer necessarily need to go right up to Les Attelas before “switching over” to the La Chaux area. There therefore no longer need to use the Funispace, which is now “reserved” for those who prefer the broad slopes of Les Attelas or of the Lac des Vaux.

The fact of gaining direct access to La Chaux is also useful for beginners, for whom the descent from Les Attelas to the Col Brunet is unsuitable. The cable cars of the La Chaux Express give them direct access to the easy slopes of the La Chaux area. Hikers will also be able to take advantage of this new cable car by combining it, in one direction or another, with a winter walk on the panoramic path between Les Ruinettes and La Chaux. Plans are also being examined for a children’s snow “garden” and a restaurant in this extremely sunny spot.