The Châtelet chairlift in Méribel in the Les 3 Vallées ski area has been seriously damaged after a controlled avalanche unexpectedly hit the lift.
On Tuesday morning, ski patrol teams in Méribel-Mottaret were working on planned explosions to release unstable snow. However, a significant mass of snow hit and buried part of the base station of the lift, causing damage to the first pylon.
Châtelet is a detachable six-person chair, originally installed in 2006, that serves the Mottaret snow park.
According to Sébastien Lazzaroni, director of the Méribel-Mottaret ski area, the structural damage was "quite significant".
Given the extent of the impact and the complexity of repairs, the resort has confirmed that the lift will remain closed for the rest of the season.
The French alps have seen heavy snowfall with over 1.5 metres falling in the last week and with more forecast. The links across Les 3 Vallées have been closed in recent days but are forecast to open again soon.
The avalanche risk remains high at 5/5 in many resorts. There have been many fatalities across the Alps and skiers and snowboarders have been advised to be vigilant.