What is 3S?
The name refers to the three cables - two fixed cables and a third ‘tractor’ cable that drives the lift. The two fixed cables provide stability, even when winds reach up to 100km/h, and the third cable is driven by a powerful motor, which can be adjusted according to passenger traffic.
The new cable car is a feat of engineering that will offer increased capacity with each cabin having 24 seats, thereby reducing waiting times. Plus passengers will enjoy a smoother ascent with accessibility for all, including those with reduced mobility. In summer these cabins can be fitted out to carry mountain bikes.
What are the benefits?
The most obvious benefit of the lift is speed. This new lift takes only 17 minutes, instead of around 40 minutes, cutting the travel time by well over half. More time on the mountains and less time sitting in lift cabins for skiers, walkers, sightseers and mountain bikers - the high mountain environment will become more appealing than ever.
Visitors will enjoy the increased capacity, carrying around 3,000 passengers per hour will impact on the notorious wait times during peak weeks. The resort can move people around the ski area more efficiently, improving the flow of skiers across the mountain.
The ride itself will also be much more comfortable. It will be more stable in challenging weather conditions, having been designed to continue to operate in wind speeds of up to around 100 km/h, where older lift technologies would fail.
The environment benefits also. The lift only requires seven pylons as opposed to the 17 the previous installation relied upon. This reduces both its visual impact and disturbance to the surrounding environment. The lift also has the technology to adjust operating speeds according to passenger demands.
Quite simply, the Jandri 3S has transformed the way people experience Les 2 Alpes and has helped propel the resort firmly into a new era.
Some of the key numbers:
3 - cables for optimum stability
7 - pylons replace the 17 previously in place making minimal impact
4 - new stations integrated into the environment and four seasons in which to enjoy the mountain
3,000 - people transported per hour
17 - the minutes it takes to get from 1,650m to 3,200m
32 - places inside, including 24 seats
