The Compagnie du Mont Blanc lift company which runs several ski areas in the Chamonix Valley has announced proposals for major lift upgrades and improvements over the next five years (2014-19) as the first stage of a 40 year, €477m investment programme.
The proposals, which need to be accepted by Chamonix's mayor in December if they are to go ahead, include plans for three gondolas, two chairlifts and two new beginner areas between the Bevent-Flegere, Le Tour and Grands Montets ski areas.
"This agreement is the culmination of nearly a year of intense work to imagine the future of the ski areas of Chamonix," said Mathieu Dechavanne, CEO of Compagnie du Mont -Blanc, "The contract provides the opportunity to invest heavily in the early years and to plan for the long term . This new dynamic to meet the expectations of our customers and partners , enabling them to create a unique sports and entertainment experience at the foot of Mont Blanc."
The proposed developments include a new Plan Joran gondola at Grands Montets ski area for 2014-15, a new beginners area at (Brevent – Flegère ski area) for 2015-16, a new detachable chairlift Parsa, also at Brevent Flegère and a new beginners area at Argentiere's Grands Montets ski area both for 2016-17. Then for 2017-18 a new Charamillon gondola at Le Tour ski area and for 2019-20 a new chairlift Tabé / Marmottons at Grands Montets ski area and a new access gondola to Flegère.