Cable damage stops opening of world-famous French cable car for skiers
Alpine area famous for off-piste routes faces tourism hit
Major damage was found during a final safety check. The cable cars are pictured here in 2013.
Alex Ivanov/Shutterstock
The opening of a famous cable-car in the Alps has been delayed due to cable damage, scuppering winter tourism to the area.
Ski-lifts providing access to Glaciers de la Meije near La Grave (Hautes-Alpes) were originally due to open on December 21, opening up access to the area known for its extreme skiing routes.
However, major damage was discovered to one of the cables during a final inspection, announced president of the local tourism board Fabrice Boutet in a press release.
The new opening date has not been officially announced, but will not be before the end of January 2025 according to media reports.
Safety concerns
Local officials “decided to change the cable [following the discovery] in order to guarantee quality service and optimum conditions for all our customers,” Mr Boutet said.
“Safety on our installations is our top priority, and it is therefore essential for us to carry out the necessary work to guarantee the safety and comfort of our customers.
“We are aware of the inconvenience caused by this incident beyond our control, but your safe transport remains our priority… we will very shortly be offering you alternative ways to enjoy your skiing in the Oisans.”
As of December 16, these alternatives have not been announced on the tourism board’s social media pages nor the La Grave website.
You can read the full announcement below.
The cable cars are the only mechanical access point for skiers to reach the off-piste routes around the Meije mountain, which are some of the most famous in Europe.
A lack of cable-car access effectively decimates tourism to the region until the lifts reopen.
Read more: The top 20 cheapest ski stations in France named in new study
