La Thuile Invests €33.9 Million in New Les Suches–Chaz Dura Cable Car

La Thuile is preparing for one of the most significant modernization projects in its recent history. The new Les Suches–Chaz Dura gondola lift, a 10-passenger facility requiring a total investment of approximately €33.9 million, is scheduled to open for the 2026/2027 winter season.

The new infrastructure will replace two historic chairlifts, La Combe and Chaz Dura, making access to one of the resort's strategic areas faster, more comfortable, and safer. The project will also strengthen the connection to the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass and La Rosière, the French resort that together with La Thuile forms the Espace San Bernardo, the large cross-border international ski area.Out with the Old: A Unified Modern Link

For nearly forty years, skiers heading to the high-altitude peaks of La Thuile relied on two legacy chairlifts: La Combe (built in 1988) and Chaz Dura (built in 1986). While faithful servants to the mountain, these open chairlifts often left skiers exposed to harsh Alpine winds and biting temperatures.

The new Les Suches–Chaz Dura cable car will consolidate these two routes into a single, high-capacity, automatically detachable gondola system. Featuring enclosed 10-passenger cabins, the new system offers substantial upgrades in both comfort and efficiency:

• Massive Capacity: Able to transport up to 3,000 people per hour.

• High Speed: Traveling at speeds up to 6 meters per second to slash travel and wait times during busy holiday periods.

• Weather Protection: Enclosed cabins shield families, children, and beginners from the high-altitude winds that frequently affect open chairlifts.

Strengthening the French-Italian Connection

The geographical placement of this new lift is highly strategic. The Les Suches–Chaz Dura line serves as a vital artery for skiers journeying toward the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, the gateway to La Rosière in France.

Together, La Thuile and La Rosière form the Espace San Bernardo, one of the few contiguous, international ski areas in the Alps where skiers can seamlessly cross national borders on a single pass.

By replacing two older lifts with one rapid gondola, the flow of cross-border ski traffic will be vastly improved, making the journey between the Italian and French sectors faster and more seamless.

More than a Ski Lift: A Year-Round Destination

Championed by the Funivie Piccolo San Bernardo company, the project has successfully cleared its environmental impact assessments through the Aosta Valley Autonomous Region.

The project isn't limited to the cable car itself. The upper station will be housed in a contemporary building designed to become a new panoramic landmark for the area.

The structure will combine the cable car terminal with catering facilities, rest areas, and a viewing platform overlooking the Aosta Valley mountains. The aim is to create a space accessible not only to skiers but also to hikers and visitors during the summer season.

This approach reflects a broader trend among large Alpine resorts, where mountain stations are increasingly designed as destinations in their own right, rather than simply departure or arrival points for ski lifts.

Opening Scheduled for Winter 2026/2027

Construction of the Les Suches–Chaz Dura cable car has been promoted by Funivie Piccolo San Bernardo. The project received a positive environmental assessment, subject to certain requirements, from the Aosta Valley Autonomous Region, and work has already begun.

The inauguration is scheduled for the 2026/2027 ski season. During the various construction phases, existing facilities will continue operating to maintain connectivity across the sector, minimizing disruption to skiing activity as much as possible.

Sticking to the schedule will be particularly important, since the new cable car will serve one of the main hubs of the La Thuile lift network. Once complete, the project will allow the decommissioning of two lifts with nearly forty years of service and substantially renew access to the international portion of the ski area.

La Thuile Bets on Modern Infrastructure and Year-Round Tourism

The €33.9 million investment underscores La Thuile's commitment to maintaining its position among Italy's leading ski destinations. The increased transport capacity should prove valuable on the busiest days, while the enclosed cabins will make the route more welcoming for families and casual skiers.

The addition of a new panoramic structure with dining and rest areas also signals that the project's ambitions extend beyond winter. The upper station could become a draw for hikers, cyclists, and visitors interested in the Alpine landscape throughout the summer months as well.

For skiers in La Thuile, the changes will be tangible: shorter waits, a single lift replacing two chairlifts, and an easier connection to the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass and La Rosière. The Les Suches–Chaz Dura gondola is shaping up to be one of the standout additions of the 2026/2027 Italian ski season.