France's most modern children's ski village receives three new Moving Carpets
The "Club Piou Piou" is the standardized children's learning system of the French ski school organization ESF. Its basic idea for a playful, progressive introduction to skiing comprises safe, self-contained learning areas including suitable mountain support infrastructure for the respective age groups and skill levels. Represented by its French sales partner Caratech, Sunkid was able to participate in the realization of a large-scale model project based on the above system - three state-of-the-art Moving Carpets for the "Village des enfants" in the heart of Courchevel 1850 were put into operation for the 2025/2026 season.
A total of four Sunkid conveyor belts - with the fun names Nemo, Balou, Olaf and Simba - form the "backbone" of the entire new multi-level area, used by the ESF Courchevel 1850 Ski School, and ensure ideal access to a total of four different learning areas. This clear division allows children to be optimally supervised and learning progress to be structured. The three new Moving Carpets are all equipped with EVO-N gallery roofing and roller shutters, offering maximum comfort and protection from wind and weather.
The technical highlights also include modern LED lighting, integrated sound solutions and a camera monitoring system. This is complemented by the intuitive and efficient control of the three new installations - centralized in one lift station. The child-friendly theming of the areas and conveyor belts also supports orientation, conveys safety and ensures a playful overall experience that has a lasting positive influence on the learning process.
Etienne Perron (Sales Caratech) provides insights into the implementation of the project, the initial planning of which dates back 10 years: "The actual implementation phase began in 2025 in the form of a public tender by S3V. Numerous partners were involved in the realization. On our side (Caratech), we entrusted Caratelli and Vannier with the mechanical and electrical installation - all coordinated by us. One of the biggest challenges was certainly the construction of a ski slope bridge over the Balou 2 conveyor belt - with a gondola lift also running above it."
"Compared to the former lift solution ("Télébenne" = basket lift)," continues Perron, "the new transportation system with several Moving Carpets offers a much higher capacity as well as simplified individual access to all learning areas. What makes this project special is the sequence of a total of four conveyor belts - one of which was already in place."
It should also be emphasized that the three new installations are the first type N installations in France with a widened exit canopy. Perron sums up: "We would like to thank S3V for their trust in this project, which impressively demonstrates the added value of Moving Carpets compared to other lift systems."
