New lifts and cable cars in the ski resorts in France

France is starting the 2023/2024 winter season with several new lifts. SNOWELL has researched which lifts and cable cars these are for you. In addition, many ski resorts are planning major infrastructure improvements in the coming years. We will keep you updated on all developments.

Serre Chevalier ski area – Briançon / Chantemerle / Villeneuve-la-Salle / Le Monêtier-les-Bains ski area

Pontillas – 10-person gondola

Instead of 2 cable cars (Fréjus chairlift and Pontillas gondola), all winter sports enthusiasts will only have to use one ultra-modern gondola, also called Pontillas, in the 2023/2024 winter season in the Serre Chevalier ski area. This means skiers and snowboarders can easily move between the areas of Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Monêtier.

The valley station will also be redesigned to offer guests improved service with shops, information offices, etc. and thus further revitalize the area. Shuttle buses will be used to make it easy to reach the new gondola.

For 2024, it is planned to create a special ski area for beginners at the mountain station at an altitude of 2255 m.

New lifts in France 2023/2024📍 Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon

Les Portes du Soleil – Avoriaz

Lac Intrets – 6-seater chairlift

The 6-seater Lac Intrets chairlift marks an important milestone in the modernization of the lift system in the Les Portes du Soleil ski area, which stretches from the French Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to the Swiss Lake Geneva region.

The change from a 4-seater to a 6-seater chairlift seems like a small change, but as the new lift is much faster and more comfortable, skiers and snowboarders in the Les Portes du Soleil ski area and in particular in Avoriaz will be looking forward to its launch.

In addition to these obvious advantages in capacity and comfort, the new Lac Intrets chairlift also places great emphasis on energy and operational efficiency. State-of-the-art technology makes the chairlift easier to maintain and enables more energy-efficient operation.

There are new future plans for the entire area between Morzine and Avoriaz. These include not only the construction of new lifts and slopes, but also the redevelopment of the center and the surrounding area, as well as the expansion of the car parks.

Saint Lary

Forêt – 6-seater chairlift

In the 2023/2024 winter season, the new 6-seater Forêt chairlift will go into operation in the Saint Lary ski area in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The lift is much longer and the mountain station is on the Soum de Matte.

The new Forêt chairlift has a capacity of 2,400 people per hour, making it a good choice for skiers and snowboarders wanting to explore the vast Saint-Lary-Soulan area.

However, the Lita 4-seater chairlift, which is to be replaced, will not yet be demolished, but will continue to be used for the return to Pla d’Adet and for emergencies (e.g. if the Forêt cable car fails).

The new Forêt lift is part of a larger project, as part of which the 10-seater Espiaube gondola lift and the 6-seater Tourette chairlift were put into operation in 2022. The investment in the new Forêt chair lift demonstrates the Saint-Lary-Soulan ski area’s commitment to offering its visitors an optimal winter sports experience. The modern technology and higher conveying capacity of the new system meet the current need for efficient and environmentally friendly lift systems.

Valmorel

Planchamp – 10-person gondola

In the Le Grand Domaine ski area, which includes Valmorel and St François Longchamp, two lifts (Altispace 1 and 2) are being replaced. The new 10-person Planchamp lift is a single-cable gondola and features a variety of improvements that will revolutionize the transport of skiers and snowboarders. The valley station is at an altitude of 1350 meters, while the mountain station is at 1920 meters.

One of the most notable improvements is the significant increase in capacity to 3,560 people per hour, which is approximately 50% more than the capacity of the two lifts being replaced. The 10-person cabins not only offer more space, but also increased comfort for all guests, including those with special needs. These features make the new gondola an asset to the area in both winter and summer operations.

Overall, the Planchamp gondola marks a significant step in the modernization of the Le Grand Domaine ski area. It sets a new standard for efficiency, comfort and accessibility, reflecting the area’s ongoing commitment to providing a first-class mountain experience for winter sports enthusiasts and summer visitors alike.

Chamrousse

Bérangère – 6-seater chairlift

To replace the older 4-seater Bérangère chairlift, a 6-seater chairlift of the same name will be built and will be put into operation in the 2023/2024 season. In practice, two more people per chair means 50% more capacity. This increased capacity means shorter waiting times and more fun on the slopes in Chamrousse. In addition, the new lift offers significantly increased comfort thanks to modern technology and equipment.

Another highlight is the efficient drive of the new system. This is an important step towards sustainability and reduces the energy consumption of the lift system.

The new 6-seater Bérangère chairlift further improves the winter sports experience in the Chamrousse ski area. With higher capacity, more comfort and improved efficiency, the new Bérangère chairlift represents a valuable addition to the ski area’s existing infrastructure.

Puy-Saint-Vincent

L’Escapade – 4-person chairlift

The newly launched L’Escapade 4-seater chairlift is a major innovation in the Puy-Saint-Vincent ski resort, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France. Built in 2023, the new lift replaces the older 2-seater chairlift of the same name, which was built in 1980 and is now out of service.

The valley station of L’Escapade is at an altitude of 1,650 meters and the mountain station is at 1,774 meters. With a speed of 2.5 meters per second, the travel time of the new lift is approximately 4 minutes.

A notable feature of the new 4-seater chairlift is its capacity of 2,400 people per hour, a significant increase over the 2-seater chairlift it replaced. The system therefore offers more capacity and efficiency, which leads to significantly shorter waiting times and thus contributes to a better skiing experience.

Another advantage is that the chairlift is equipped with a conveyor belt, which makes it much easier for winter sports enthusiasts to get on. This is particularly helpful for beginners and children.

New lifts in France 2023/2024📍 Puy Saint Vincent

Font-Romeu / Bolquère Pyrénées 2000

Airelles – 10-seater gondola

To replace the old 6-person Airelles gondola lift, a 10-person gondola lift will be built in the Font-Romeu / Bolquère Pyrénées ski area in 2000. The Airelles name will be retained. Winter sports enthusiasts can now get from Font Romeu to the ski area even faster and more conveniently, and queues at peak times have been significantly reduced.

The new lift is also accessible to people with disabilities or strollers, and in summer there is enough space in the gondola for 2 mountain bikers with their bikes.

In addition, the area has equipped 95% of its slopes with snow cannons for more skiing fun. New projects such as the construction of a toboggan run and a zipline are also planned for 2024.

Luchon-Superbagnères

Crémaillère Express – 10-person gondola

The Crémaillère Express offers a significant improvement for guests and locals in Luchon.

The modern 10-passenger cabins of the Crémaillère Express not only offer more space, but also a higher level of comfort. This improvement in terms of comfort and capacity now makes it unnecessary for all winter sports enthusiasts to drive laboriously along the mountain road to get to the ski area. This not only promotes sustainability, but also improves the winter sports experience in Luchon-Superbagnères.

In the 2023/2024 winter season, thanks to the new gondola lift, skiers and snowboarders will be able to enjoy the 32 kilometres of slopes in the Luchon-Superbagnères ski area even more extensively and in a more relaxed manner.

New lifts in France 2023/2024📍 Luchon-Superbagnères