POMA celebrates 90 years with Olympic ambitions

POMA, a French company based in Voreppe, Isère, is celebrating its 90th anniversary by outlining its goals for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the French Alps. The company aims to win several contracts for building valley lifts, which are cable transport systems that move people up and down mountain slopes.

Focus on La Plagne project

POMA is particularly interested in a project at La Plagne in Savoie, where it is bidding to build a valley lift connecting the SNCF train station to the La Plagne ski area. The lift would also provide access to the bobsleigh track. The project is described as having high capacity and a near-urban operation style, but the timeline is tight, with a decision expected in mid-2027 and construction needing to be completed by 2030.

Other potential locations

In addition to La Plagne, POMA is considering projects in Courchevel, Savoie, and Briançon, Haute-Alpes. In Courchevel, the plan involves a cable link to improve access to the station, while in Briançon, the proposal includes connecting the future Olympic village with an intermediate station near the old town. These projects could also serve as tourist attractions after the Games.

Funding and existing examples

The State and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region have allocated 124 million euros for access-related projects for the 2030 Games. POMA highlights the existing valley lift in Saint-Gervais, which connects the SNCF Fayet station to the village center, as an example of how such infrastructure can adapt to the challenging geography of the Alps.

Sustainability and past experience

Fabien Felli, POMA’s president, stresses that the Olympic facilities should be sustainable and useful beyond the Games. POMA has previously worked on Olympic projects in Sochi and China and plans to participate in the 2032 Games in Salt Lake City. The company believes it has strong arguments to win the 2030 Olympic tenders.