New gondola to ease Chamonix bottleneck

29th July 2014, by Abi Butcher

The bottom station of the new ski lift was crane lifted onto its base pillars in June

The ski resort of Chamonix will be relieved of a significant lift queue this season — thanks to the replacement of the Plan Joran chair lift from Argentière to Les Grands Montet.

The old four-man chair departed from Argentière and arrived above the mid station on Logan at 1850m and was frequently reduced to a two-man during the snow. This season it is to be replaced by a new gondola with 84 cabins carrying 10 skiers / snowboarders at a time on a journey of around seven minutes, to a new higher altitude of 2,130m.

“It will transport 3200 people per hour so that should be the end of queues!” says Chamonix spokesman Claire Burnet.

The Chamonix train has also opened after the continuous track works for the past couple of years. The line has been completely renovated, during which time service was disrupted and the line completely closed between Montroc and Vallorcine through the Montets tunnel.

“These renovations of the line will permit a smoother service and increased trains (two per hour) from 2015 on,” added Ms Burnet.

Next summer, Chamonix celebrates the 150th anniversary of the year 1865 — the golden age of mountaineering in which there were 58 first ascents across the Alps and seven in the Mont-Blanc Massif including the Aiguille Verte, the Grandes Jorasses and the remarkable Brenva Spur on Mont-Blanc.

• ski
• snow
• snowboard
• france
• chamonix
• lift
• argentiere

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