Fire wipes out lift
The 2018 fire that wiped out the Grands Montets mid-station closed the iconic top section of the ski area to all but the local ski touring community. Work progresses on the redevelopment of the lift that is scheduled to open in December 2026.
During renovation work on the mid-station roof, a fire engulfed the building, gutting the building and dropping one of the cable cars. Since then, the epic, wild ski region of the Grands Montets has only been reachable by ski tourers. They incidentally have enjoyed an absolute private paradise on some of the highest and toughest slopes in the region.
From the ashes
The redevelopment of the Grands Montets lift will consist of two sections – a gondola leaving from Argentière for the mid-station and then a detachable 24-person cable car that will reach the top station at 3300m.
Scheduled to open in time for the 26/27 winter, the redevelopment will feature some stunning architecture by the celebrated Italian architect Renzo Piano. And once more the toughest ski area in the region will be lifting skiers and snowboarders to its terrain effortlessly by cable.