Grands Montets Prepares for Lift-Off: First Phase of Rebuild Opens This Winter
Seven years after a devastating fire halted lift operations at one of the Alps’ most revered ski areas, Les Grands Montets in the Chamonix Valley will see the opening of the first phase of a visionary redevelopment project this winter.
Seven years after a devastating fire halted lift operations at one of the Alps’ most revered ski areas, Les Grands Montets in the Chamonix Valley will see the opening of the first phase of a visionary redevelopment project this winter.
Led by Compagnie du Mont-Blanc and designed by Renzo Piano’s renowned architectural firm RPBW, the centrepiece of this season’s relaunch is a sleek 10-seater Doppelmayr gondola connecting Argentière to the Lognan plateau. Alongside it, skiers will enjoy a revitalised beginner zone and the reopening of the Lognan restaurant corner—ushering in a new era for the resort’s lower slopes.
The full transformation, set to culminate in winter 2027–2028, includes a dramatic 3S cable car whisking visitors to the summit at 3,300m. Inspired by the crystalline geometry of pyrite, the lift stations will feature transparent glass volumes and modular steel structures designed to blend seamlessly with the Mont-Blanc landscape.
Environmental stewardship has been central to the project, with extensive consultations and innovative logistics reducing the impact on the protected alpine terrain. Material transport is handled by two 10-ton ropeways—nicknamed “blondins”—while a temporary service lift ensures safe access for construction teams.
