Kids trial ‘lift magnet' system in Courchevel

It might look a bit unusual, but a new system currently on trial in Courchevel is set to increase child-safety on chairlifts. Wearing an orange waistcoat, which is magnetic as well as offering back protection and high visibility on the pistes, the children started to test the system on the Pralong chairlift this week.

The lift itself has been equipped with magnetic disks in the back rests of the chairs, so when the child gets on the chairlift they are secured as the magnets are activated. Once the chair reaches the top, the magnets are demagnetised so the child can ski off the lift normally.

Called Magnestick, the system has been developed to prevent small children from slipping through the drop down bar or falling off the lift. The President of the 3 Valleys lift system has welcomed the trial saying: “ The safety of children is always a high priority, even if accidents are rare”.

ESF Courchevel 1850 are equipping children all this winter to fully test the prototype system, which will be further developed following this valuable user feedback. The plans are to also trial the system in La Tania and Meribel. Is it something we'll be seeing all over the French ski resorts in the future?

Photo credit: Dauphine Libere