Le Grand Bornand in the Aravis Region of the French Alps has invested €6m in upgrading its 42-year old Duche triple chairlift.
The lift enables the return of skiers from the wild and grandiose valley of Annes, at the foot of Pointe Percée, towards the Grand-Bornand Chinaillon station via the long Maroly slopes.
The new chairlift, a fixed-grip quad, will be more comfortable and have slightly more capacity but the priority has been improving sustainability.
The chairlift follows a new route with less impact on the environment, by avoiding wetlands and sensitive natural habitats.
It's also safer than its predecessor thanks to being a greater distance from the chalets dotting the slope. In addition its better integrated from an architectural point of view and more economical in energy consumption than the old lift it replaces.