Between Architecture and Innovation
The revival of Les Grands Montets brings together Technological Innovation and Architectural Integration in High-Mountain Environments. The new ski lifts are designed by Doppelmayr, a global leader in cable transport. The architecture of the new stations was designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), with glass-enclosed spaces inspired by the pyrite crystals, which occur naturally in the mountain range.
First leg: Argentière → Lognan
For the 2026 Christmas holidays, the new 10-person gondola connecting Argentière to Lognan. In Lognan, visitors will also discover the new entrance hall at the base of the slopes, new dining areas – a brewery and an electric bike – as well as public restrooms.
→ A major first step: the new Grands Montets comes to life this winter.
Stage 2: Lognan → Summit of the Grands Montets
The second phase will mark the completion of the project with the commissioning of the new detachable 3S chairlift, connecting Lognan to the the summit of the Grands Montets, at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters.
More comfortable and offering better wind resistance, this new facility will make it possible to regain access to the summit via the ski lift, which has been on hold since the 2018 fire.
Goals. But also collaboration.
A project that is mindful of the alpine environment, which has been the subject of significant attention, and it was only after five years of discussions, consultations, public surveys and meetings, and discussions with the relevant professional and community groups, the valley’s high-mountain guides, and all stakeholders, that the project was approved.
A cubic shape? That's no coincidence.
The mountain range is dotted with crystals in geometric shapes. One of them—pyrite—served as the inspiration for this project. The geometric simplicity of a transparent cube allows the landscape to take center stage.
Since the 2018 fire that destroyed the mid-station, the summit of Les Grands Montets has no longer been accessible by ski lift but only by ski touring. Our mission is to rebuild this heritage site and make the summit accessible once again, while showing the utmost respect for the mountain.
A high-mountain project is a project that carries a great deal of responsibility.
The Compagnie du Mont-Blanc is a mission-driven company that makes the preservation of natural heritage a priority.
Carbon Footprint Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis to prioritize environmental impacts and identify opportunities for reduction: low-carbon concrete, recycled metals, etc.
Process for Obtaining High Environmental Quality (HQE) Certification for Sustainable Infrastructure
All companies have signed the “Low-Impact Construction Site Charter,” which covers waste management, minimizing disturbances, combating pollution, etc.
Collaboration between companies and experts to minimize the project’s impact on biodiversity and landscapes: coordination of construction schedules, site visits by ecologists, monitoring of environmental assessment measures, etc. Innovating to reduce the construction site’s impact on the natural environment.
Installation of two Blondin cableways (Argentière/Lognan and Lognan/summit) with a transport capacity of 10 metric tons, to limit the use of motorized vehicles and transport materials over difficult terrain. A Blondin cableway is a cable car equipped with a lifting system.
Installation of a construction cable car (Grands Montets Station/La Herse summit) with an 8-person cabin to facilitate access to the site for personnel. Forty regional companies will be involved from April 2024 through December 2027, when the cable car is scheduled to begin operations.
One lift, two sections, three stations
The first section will be equipped with a 10-seat gondola to provide the initial connection between Argentière and Lognan; a single building will house the arrival station for the first section and the departure station for the second section, along with a dining area, an office area reserved for operations, and a space for ski patrollers and emergency responders.
Access to the summit will be provided by a 24-seat “3S detachable gondola”
A system that combines cable car technology with detachable chairlifts. The goal is not to increase transport capacity. We want to prioritize the system’s comfort and improved wind resistance in order to ensure an optimal number of operating days without increasing passenger capacity.
This final section takes us to an altitude of over 3,000 meters, across glacial terrain—which is no small feat. Access is reserved for experienced skiers. In the summer, the lift will transport mountaineers and ensure pedestrian access during both seasons. Operating hours will be extended. To meet the new needs of mountain access for professionals, the closure of the lift for the transition between the winter and summer seasons will be reduced to a maximum of a few days.
Work has already begun with the dismantling of the stations and pylons 2, 3, and 4. Cleanup and asbestos removal operations are underway. The rebar is being processed and recycled, and to preserve the mountain as much as possible, reconstruction will take place on the sites of the previous structures. During construction, reception and food services will be provided in temporary structures set up for this purpose.
Watch a video showing the different stages of the construction project
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