No need to break “eggs” to get rid of them. The Saint-Lary ski resort, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, has found a much more trendy solution to recycle its old white Poma brand gondolas, now “vintage”, sent for retirement last spring after forty-four years of good and loyal service. Dressed up one last time in their parking lot, ten of them will be sold at auction January 28 at the Pla d’Adet winter tavern. And, as soon as the news is stale on social networks, the teachers are already jostling at the gate. “It must be said that these cabins have a soul. They are pieces of history. Families laughed there, also stressed no doubt, ”underlines Anne Marty, the deputy general manager of Altiservice, the operator of the Pyrenean station. And so many of them want to perpetuate their memory.
Since the opening of auctions on the Internet at the end of last week, at 500 euros the starting price, around twenty potential buyers have already reported themselves. Anne Marty understands that there is a restaurant owner from Toulouse among them. Does he want to set up a VIP table, using the ski racks for his customers’ umbrellas? Suspense. “I know that a company has the idea of using it as a cabin to telephone in peace in an open space, another wants to decorate a reception hall”, continues the manager. Not to mention the individuals, who are already salivating to see their friends swoon when they discover their latest find in their living room.
Don’t forget the trailer
It does not matter the final destination of these “big babies” of more than 300 kg, which it will be necessary, for the lucky ones who will win the bet, “to come and get with a trailer”. For Altiservice, the main thing is that the bids reach new heights. Because this unusual sale is charitable. All funds raised will be donated to the association. Little Princes, which makes the dreams of sick children come true. “We are a family resort, it was obvious to us”, explains Anne Marty who is already planning an identical operation next year with the old gondolas of the Font-Romeu resort.