Grands Montets Rebuild Enters Final Stretch as Chamonix Prepares for Summit Return

One of the most closely watched mountain infrastructure projects in the Alps has reached a decisive phase, with the long-awaited redevelopment of the iconic Grands Montets ski area now on course to restore lift-served access to one of France's most legendary high-mountain destinations.

Following years of planning, consultation and construction, the first stage of the new lift system is scheduled to open in December 2026, while the flagship 3S gondola linking Lognan to the 3,000-metre summit is expected to enter service for the 2027-28 winter season.

The project marks a major milestone in the recovery of the Grands Montets domain after the devastating 2018 fire that destroyed the upper lift infrastructure and severed mechanical access to the summit. Since then, reaching the top has only been possible through ski touring and mountaineering, leaving a significant gap in the Chamonix Valley's lift network.

A New Era for an Alpine Icon

For skiers and mountaineers, Grands Montets occupies a unique place in European snowsports. Renowned for its steep terrain, glacial skiing and high-alpine character, it has long been considered one of the most challenging and celebrated ski areas in the Alps.

The redevelopment seeks not simply to replace what was lost, but to reimagine the mountain's infrastructure for future generations.

At the centre of the programme is a partnership between ropeway specialist Doppelmayr and internationally renowned architectural practice Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW). Together, the teams have sought to combine advanced lift technology with architecture that blends into one of Europe's most dramatic mountain landscapes.

The new stations will feature glass-clad volumes inspired by the geometric form of pyrite crystals, naturally occurring mineral formations found throughout the Mont Blanc massif. Rather than competing with the scenery, the transparent cubic structures have been designed to frame the surrounding landscape and reduce visual intrusion.

First Stage Opens in December 2026

Visitors arriving for the Christmas holidays in 2026 will be the first to experience the rebuilt Grands Montets.

The opening phase includes a new 10-passenger gondola linking Argentière and Lognan, restoring the principal lower-section connection and providing access to a significantly upgraded mountain base area.

The Lognan station complex will include a new arrival hall, food and beverage facilities, operational spaces, public amenities and services designed to improve the overall visitor experience.

For Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, this initial opening represents the first visible realisation of a project that has spent years moving through planning approvals, environmental assessments and technical studies.

Summit Access Returns in 2027-28

The second and most anticipated phase will see the completion of a new 24-passenger 3S gondola connecting Lognan with the summit station at more than 3,000 metres above sea level.

The three-cable system has been selected not to increase capacity, but to improve reliability and passenger comfort in one of the harshest operating environments in the Alps.

Unlike conventional gondola systems, the 3S technology combines exceptional wind stability with larger cabins and smoother ride characteristics. The result should be significantly higher operational availability, addressing a long-standing challenge for lift operations in exposed alpine terrain.

The restored summit connection will once again provide lift-served access to the glacier and the area's renowned off-piste routes while continuing to support mountaineering activities throughout the year.

Importantly, operators plan to minimise seasonal shutdowns, reducing the traditional spring closure between winter and summer operations to only a few days. This strategy reflects the growing importance of year-round mountain access for guides, alpinists and professional mountain users.

Five Years of Consultation

Bringing the project to approval proved almost as complex as the engineering itself.

According to project leaders, the development only moved forward after more than five years of consultations, public enquiries, stakeholder engagement and discussions involving local communities, mountain professionals, guides and environmental groups.

The extended process reflects increasing scrutiny of major developments in sensitive alpine environments, particularly within the Mont Blanc region where landscape protection and biodiversity concerns carry significant weight.

Construction Designed Around Environmental Impact

Environmental performance has become a central pillar of the redevelopment.

Project partners have undertaken carbon footprint assessments and life-cycle analyses to identify opportunities for reducing emissions and material impacts. Measures include the use of low-carbon concrete, recycled metals and a broader goal of achieving High Environmental Quality (HQE) certification.

All contractors have signed a low-impact construction charter governing waste management, pollution prevention and site protection measures.

To reduce the need for vehicle movements in difficult mountain terrain, the project has deployed specialised Blondin cableway systems capable of transporting up to 10 tonnes of material between construction zones. An additional construction ropeway has also been installed to transport workers efficiently to high-elevation sites.

Around 40 regional companies are expected to contribute to the build programme running through to the planned completion of the summit lift in late 2027.

Rebuilding on Historic Foundations

Work is already well advanced, with former stations and several pylons dismantled. Cleaning operations, asbestos removal and materials recycling are underway, while reconstruction has largely been concentrated on the footprint of previous installations to minimise disturbance to the surrounding mountain environment.

Temporary visitor facilities and catering services are being maintained throughout the construction period to ensure continued access to the ski area.

For Chamonix and the wider Mont Blanc tourism economy, the reopening of Grands Montets represents more than the replacement of a lift system. It signals the return of one of the Alps' defining high-mountain experiences, balancing modern engineering, architectural ambition and environmental responsibility in one of the world's most iconic alpine settings.

With the first gondola now less than three months from opening and summit access set to follow the following winter, the long journey to restore Grands Montets is finally approaching its most visible chapter.