From 1974 to 2020, the municipality of Malleray/Valbirse operated a small ski lift. It was in operation for an average of 150 hours a year. But the ravages of time were also taking their toll. In order to continue operating the lift, its motor would have had to be overhauled. In view of the ever decreasing snowfall, this was too expensive, so the municipality decided to close the ski lift.

Around a month after the building permit was granted, construction work began. The operators were able to recruit teams from three renowned trail construction companies - from the Swiss company Flying Metal, Belgian freeride star and bike park builder Nico Vink and the Slovenian Batt Crew.
"Once we had the building permit, we wanted to start construction as soon as possible. So we started with Flying Metal. Thanks to friends, we came into contact with Nico Vink. The renowned bike park builder would actually have been invited to be a judge at the Red Bull Rampage, but then came here. As Vink didn't have much time even without the Rampage, he brought in friends from Slovenia, the Batt Crew. So each construction team created a line, Flying Metal the blue one, Nico Vink the red one and the Batt Crew created the black slope," says Lerch happily, also knowing that they had probably made the most of the terrain.

The terrain in which the runs are built is ideal, especially as it is not too steep. The three runs measure between 700 and 1000 meters in length and ride over around 70 vertical meters. Thanks to the T-bar lift, they are easy to reach. "As far as I know, we are the only bike park in Switzerland that is operated with a drag lift," adds initiator Lerch. Furthermore, existing infrastructure such as the access points, parking lot and the ski lift can be used, which can also be operated again in winter when there is enough snow thanks to the bike park.

The bike park was completed at the end of October. The operators want to open its doors as soon as conditions allow. The official opening party for this village project is then scheduled for April 29

Even the smallest project needs its supporters, especially when three well-known trail construction companies are working on it. The fact that the Valbirse bike park could be realized at all is also thanks to the municipality and the local community, who are making the land available for the next 20 years. Thanks to the great help of many volunteers, the project was completed within five months. On the financial side, the bike park received support from numerous companies of various sizes, as well as from the CjB sports and tourism fund, which generously supported the construction.