Sitting at an altitude of 1,850 metres, Vars is one of the most exclusive resorts in the southern French Alps. In the heart of the Hautes Alpes, surrounded by magnificent larch forests and high mountains, the conditions couldn't be better. The village is known nationwide especially for its special slope for speed skiing, where a host of world speed records have already been set.
The impressive 185 km of pistes in the La Foret Blanche ski area offer a balanced level of difficulty to suit both beginners and pros alike. There are also 200 kilometres of hiking trails and a wide range of other activities for all ages. With almost 1000 m downhill and 492 uphill cable runs, the new Alpine Coaster has enhanced the offer for guests and also broken the French record - it is the longest system built in France.
However, before people really get down to business, the riders, for whom there are 45 toboggans available, first have to overcome a height difference of 127 m, which is no problem at all with the 492 m long Wiegand lift. A host of bends and two exciting gyro constructions get the adrenalin pumping through your blood. Safety is ensured not only by the foresight and responsible behaviour of the riders, but also by the distance control system.
Further up north, near the French-German border is Le Bonhomme, a village in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region. The Col du Bonhomme, 949 metres above sea level above the village, is a major pass through the Vosges mountains, connecting the Weisstal valley in Alsace with the Meurthe valley in Lorraine via the former A-road 415.
Le Bonhomme has a ski area with three cross-country ski runs, six ski runs and five ski lifts – alongside this, there are a host of hiking trails, an adventure and bicycle park, a paintball hall, the barefoot path and - now the all-new Alpine Coaster - for thrill-seeking visitors.
The new toboggan run is 705 m long, allowing riders to race down the mountain on 30 cars. Two bridges and an 85-m long roundabout provide fun and action in addition to the many bends and jumps. The Wiegand-Lifter, which is 395 m long and overcomes the height difference of 78 m, also takes you uphill. The "cruise control" limiting brake guarantees that a precisely set speed is maintained even when the track is wet and ensures maximum safety.
Both systems are to be operated all year round, i.e. even in snowy winters, so both customers have ordered snow blowers from us allowing them to remove snow from the track structures and ensure unhindered fun. Both Alpine Coasters were successfully inspected by the TÜV in mid-December and are now available for fast toboggan runs.
