(A lift, but not THE lift, in Val d'Isere)
There's been talk of redeveloping Val d'Isere's famous Solaise sector at the heart of its ski area for decades, but the project is now finally underway. It will partially be completed this coming winter, but it a two year project so will not be fully finished until winter 2016-17.
Solaise is one of the two iconic mountains reached from the resort's front de neige base area and Val d'Isere's lift company is spending €16m (£11.1m) on a complete make over which includes a massive earth moving project as well as a new lift.
Bulldozers have already moved about a million tons of earth to create the base for an all new mid-mountain station at 2500m which is one of the parts scheduled to open this coming winter.
The old Solaise Express quad chair-lift and the cable-car will still be in operation this winter but will be replaced by a high speed, hi-tec 10-person gondola with 91 cabins, complete with heated seats and wifi from November next year. You can park your skis in exterior baskets or bring them inside - the choice speeds up loading time.
The new gondola will increase capacity by 40% and can carry up to 3,600 passengers per hour, bringing an end to any previous peak hour bottlenecks at the base on high season dates. Journey time will be just seven minutes.
On the Val side of Solaise a giant, covered magic carpet lift has replaced the old Terrasse button lift. This serves a new secluded beginner area for both adults and children without the distraction of other skiers whizzing by.
The slope has been regraded from around 16% to 7% to make it a secure learning area. The lift also serves a new tubing area for kids and adults. On the far side of Solaise twin, covered magic carpets have replaced the short double chair that brought you to the summit.
Top stations for all three lifts are on one level beside the new day lodge containing a café, a picnic area, a sun terrace and toilets. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy spectacular views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The lift company has taken every step to minimise the environmental impact of the project. The redevelopment reduces the number of lift stations from a total of eight with 34 pylons to just two with 16 pylons.
The gondola machinery is being buried underground at the base area. This significantly reduces the noise impact both for inhabitants and the fauna living around the front de neige.