Val D’Isere’s Solaise Cable Car Station To Re-Open As Luxury Hotel
In December 2018, France’s oldest cable car station will re-open as a brand-new luxury hotel Le Refuge de Solaise. Situated at an altitude of 2,551 metres, and built from traditional stone, wood and slate, it will be Val d’Isère’s and France’s highest hotel.
The Solaise cable car was Val d’Isère’s first ski lift, built between 1939 and 1942. The choice of location was determined very much by the challenging nature of the various descents and it is that choice which largely contributed to the reputation of Val d’Isere and would later justify such slogans as Val d’Isere « Mecca of Skiing » and « Resort of Champions ».
La Tête de Solaise and its surrounding area also enjoy the longest daily sunshine of the entire resort - hence the name Solaise! Over the past 74 years this lift has transported millions of skiers, snowboarders and nature lovers.
From the amazing promontory overlooking the village of Val d’isere Jean-Charles Covarel and Jean-Claude Borel are creating a unique experience in France and the highest altitude hotel in the country: Le Refuge de Solaise.
Comprising 34 rooms, three large luxury apartments and a traditional refuge dormitory with 14 beds, plus a 300-seat gourmet restaurant, cocktail bar, spa with pool and 360-degree mountain views – it has everything guests could want and need. Access to the hotel in winter is by gondola or on skis / snowboard. And snowmobiles and four-wheel drive SUVs will help transport guests and their luggage from the Solaise gondola to the hotel (it is easy to walk the short distance from the gondola to the hotel for those guests happy to do so).
To reduce the environmental impact, the hotel is recycling all its refuse: the furnace for waste paper and cardboard is linked to the hotel’s heating system, organic and plastic rubbish will be compacted in giant storage bins for disposal next summer and the hotel will stock up on dry and non-perishable goods just before the start of the season so only fresh produce needs to be brought up on a daily basis.
From December 2020, the Refuge will be twinned with a 50 room hotel in the centre of Val d’isere, the Base Camp. In a prime location close to the old village and the snow front, the Base Camp will offer marvellous 200° views encompassing the source of the Isère to the East and the Face of Bellevarde to the South West. The base camp will serve as the initial reception area for the Refuge and will provide both a fallback solution as well as the alternative location for dual centre village - high mountain vacations.
