A long running battle to save one of France's best known and – particularly by advanced skiers and boarders – most loved ski areas appears to have been won.
The SATA company which runs the lifts at Alpe d'Huez will take over operations at its smaller neighbour, La Grave, from 15th June onwards, on a 30 year lease.
La Grave, famed for its lift-accessed steep off piste terrain, had been faced with a number of operating issues in recent years putting its future in doubt. Its main lift is becoming elderly and in need of overhaul or replacement and the access road to it had been closed due to concerns about the stability of a road tunnel, meaning people wanting to visit had top initially drive for hours and a long distance round to reach it, and more recently negotiate a temporary access road.
Plans to 'save La Grave' included a crowd funding project and a take over by one of the world's largest resort operators, the Compagnie des Alpes (CdA), but the crowd funding did not raise enough capital and CdA pulled out of the bidding.
SATA's big was unanimously accepted at a meeting of interested parties. The company's proposals included keeping staff on from the original La Grave lift operator, keeping lift pass prices in line with current rates and aiming to invest €10m in upgrades over the next 2-4 years.