What they say:
“The covered lift entrances receive very little natural snow. PearlSnow provides a practical surface that lets skiers glide towards the lifts, with a good balance between glide and control.”
Verbier 4 Vallées: Smooth Lift Access Where Snow Is Limited
Even in the mountains, snow does not reach every part of a ski resort. At covered lift entrances, the roof prevents snowfall from naturally covering the boarding area. These sheltered sections create a practical challenge: keeping the approach accessible on skis where snow coverage is limited.
In Verbier, part of Switzerland’s 4 Vallées ski area, PearlSlide and DreamSlide provide a solution at four covered lift entrances.
Four Lift Entrances Equipped
The installations serve Chaux Express at Les Ruinettes, Chaux Express at La Chaux, Les Attelas and Lac des Vaux 1. At each location, the mats provide a gliding surface through the covered approach, helping skiers move towards the boarding point without depending on a continuous layer of snow.
It is a focused application with a clear purpose: supporting the transition from the piste to the lift where natural snow cannot reliably do the job.
Balanced Glide at the Boarding Area
Lift entrances require a different kind of glide performance from a downhill slope. Skiers need to move forward comfortably while remaining in control as they approach the chair.
During a PearlSnow site visit in March 2026, the four installations were checked after 3 years of use. The surfaces had a well-balanced glide and also remained visually neat overall, with very small localised wear visible in areas exposed to intensive traffic. Approximately 1 million visitors per year use these lifts.
Supporting Everyday Lift Operations
The Verbier project demonstrates how artificial surfaces can complement natural snow within an operating ski resort. By addressing specific areas with limited coverage, PearlSlide and DreamSlide help maintain usable lift approaches throughout the ski season.
Follow-up inspections also help identify where individual sections may eventually need replacement, allowing maintenance to be planned around the condition of each installation.
For resorts facing similar challenges at covered lift entrances or other short connecting sections, this project offers a practical example of how a targeted surface installation can support everyday operations.
Looking for a solution for lift access where snow coverage is limited? Contact PearlSnow to discuss your location.
