The origin of VerticAlp Emosson

1919

Barberine funicular

In 1919, the Swiss Federal Railways built the Barberine funicular to transport the materials and personnel needed to build the Barberine dam. Once construction of the dam was completed in 1925, the transport facilities were retained for maintenance and inspection of the penstocks. In 1968, work on the Émosson dam sounded the death knell for the funicular, and the SBB decided to dismantle it in 1973.

1975

Émosson-Barberine transport

In order to preserve the installation and its impressive gradient (up to 87%), a limited company (SA) is created under the name of Société anonyme de transports Émosson-Barberine (Sateb). A small Decauville train (with a gauge of 60 cm) was built between the Montuires and the foot of the Emosson dam, and in 1975 Sateb opened these two attractions to the public. In 1977, a Monorail was installed to take tourists from the foot of the dam to the top of the Emosson dam.

1988 - 1991

Trains Touristiques d'Emosson SA

Between 1988 and 1991, the Monorail was replaced by a mini-funicular (the Minifunic). At the end of 1999, the company's name was changed to Trains Touristiques d'Emosson SA (TTE), then in early 2004 to Parc d'Attractions du Châtelard VS SA (PAC).

2014

Finhaut - VerticAlp Emosson

In August 2014, the commune of Finhaut became the majority shareholder in the company and invested in modernising the funicular.

2024

VerticAlp Vallée du Trient SA

VerticAlp Emosson is operated by VerticAlp Vallée du Trient SA, in conjunction with the VerticAlp Les Marécottes ski area.