The construction of the two new ski lifts in Sierra Nevada has reached 65% completion.

The new Emile Allais and Veleta II chairlifts, the largest investment in ski lift renovation in the recent history of the Sierra Nevada with 21 million euros, have reached 65 percent completion of the work this week. This was announced today by the Councillor for Development, Territorial Planning and Housing and President of Cetursa Sierra Nevada, Marifrán Carazo, during a visit - together with members of the board of directors of the company that manages the resort and a group of Sierra Nevada businessmen - to the works, co-financed by React EU funds, which are being carried out in Borreguiles.

"The works are progressing as planned, so that this coming season we will be able to enjoy two new ski lifts and a completely reorganised area for beginners such as Borreguiles," said Marifrán Carazo, who added that these works are a "major challenge because work can only be carried out in the summer months and part of the autumn". "However, I trust in the coordination that Cetursa Sierra Nevada is exerting on the companies working on the ground, whom I thank for their great effort", the councillor emphasised.

Marifrán Carazo recalled that the Junta de Andalucía has carried out "the biggest project in Sierra Nevada since the 1990s and will continue to invest in the resort to make it a reference resort in Spain and Europe". Likewise, the president of Cetursa has indicated that in addition to the opening of two new ski lifts, there are other actions to improve and boost the resort, such as the works to improve the accesses, the reform of the water treatment plant and the holding of the Snowboard Cross World Cup in March 2023.

For his part, Jesús Ibáñez said that Sierra Nevada has been undergoing "a second modernisation in recent years in all the services it provides, seeking the best and most sustainable alternatives, as well as energy efficiency in the new facilities, from the ski lifts to the snow produced".

The work to replace the two old fixed grip chairlifts with two new detachable ones, with 13 fewer pylons and six-seater chairs, will also lead to a reorganisation of the Borreguiles ski area, particularly the beginners' slopes, making connections with other areas and lifts in the Sierra Nevada more flexible.

The installation of the Emile Allais chairlift is the most advanced, with all the towers (six), outriggers, pulleys and cables in place, and the interior structure of the departure and arrival buildings almost completed. The electrification of the line is currently underway, after which the work to cover and close the lower and upper buildings will begin.

For its part, Veleta II has already installed the mechanical structures of its lower and upper stations. During this week, the nine bollards will be put in place. This ski lift will be the one that offers the most changes with respect to the current one, as it will shorten its route by raising the lower station 455 metres higher.

This modification will allow to decongest the lower area and distribute users to the green slopes of La Perdiz, Amapola or Piñatas, which are suitable for beginners and less used than the beginners' slopes located further down. They can also be used by expert skiers to reach the base of the Zayas ski lift or to access the Laguna de las Yeguas through the Laguna pass.

After the works visit, Cetursa Sierra Nevada held a board meeting in which, after the new directors took office, the annual accounts were approved, the balance of the summer season was presented, as well as a report on the monitoring of investments.