Bourg Saint Maurice - Les Arcs - You can barely make it out, a tightrope stretching between the crests of the Col de la Chal and the heights of Arc 2000. But all you have to do is raise your eyes to the sky, or put your ear to the ground, to hear the muffled cries of the daredevils who take the plunge. Here, at 2600 metres altitude, in the heart of the Haute-Tarentaise, the Aiguille Rouge zip line offers a unique aerial experience, combining alpine thrills and technical prowess.
"It's 1,800 metres long, with a 30-degree incline at the start. That's huge for a zip line: we're on the maximum authorised gradient. Which makes it probably the steepest in Europe, maybe even the world. explains Éric Libet, who is in charge of the activity during the summer season.
On arrival, perched at a height of over 2000 metres, passengers are greeted by an ingenious braking system inspired by aircraft carriers: "a trolley taps into a buffer, connected to two ropes and chains that go up to slow down the race... in a surprisingly gentle way". he smiles.
Fifty to seventy seconds suspended in space. Time seems to dilate with speed - between 100 and 150 km/h - and weather conditions. In summer, lush green landscapes stretch out beneath your feet, while in winter, the snow erases the relief and accentuates the feeling of weightlessness. Two experiences in their own right. "Some people come back to experience both versions, and that's very common". says Éric.
Flying at 140 km/h over the runways
Open to passengers weighing 25 kg or more when seated (and up to 120 kg), the zip line can also be used for duo flights - provided the total weight does not exceed 150 kg, with a maximum weight difference of 40 kg between the two. The more daring can attempt to fly lying down, head first, from a weight of 45 kg.
Accessible via slots booked online, the activity is offered from mid-December to the end of April, then from the end of June to the beginning of September. In the high summer season, flights run between 9.40am and 4.30pm, with a lunch break. The price? €47 from Tuesday to Saturday, €37 on Sundays and Mondays, for what remains one of the great thrills of the French Alps.
"We see everyone: families, groups of friends, zip-lining enthusiasts comparing the facilities in different countries... It's a varied clientele, but everyone leaves with a banana.