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Updated 13 October 2026
When the Lognan lift station burned down in 2018, it shocked us all. For those of us who live and ski in the Chamonix Valley, the Grands Montets are part of everyday life in winter. Suddenly losing the lift to the top was hard to imagine, and at the time, few of us expected such a long wait to see it return.
But we have to admit that there has been a silver lining.
With the top lift closed, those willing to put their skins on and earn their turns have enjoyed something rather special: powder that can still be there days after a snowfall. A quieter mountain, a steady climb with friends and fresh tracks long after the lifts below have opened. Some of us have become quite attached to it.
Still, all good things come to an end. And, if we’re honest, we’re all getting a little older. The idea of letting a lift do the hard work again is starting to sound rather appealing.
So, what is coming, and when?
The first stage of the redevelopment is scheduled to open for the Christmas holidays in December 2026. A new ten-seat gondola will connect Argentière to Lognan, bringing the first part of the rebuilt lift system into use.
This is the lower connection. For those eagerly waiting to step out at the top again, there is a little longer to go.
The new 3S cable car from Lognan to the summit area is currently planned for winter 2027–28. It will restore lift access above 3,000 metres, with a more comfortable installation designed to cope better with wind.
For now, that gives us a little more time to enjoy earning our turns. When it does open, we suspect even the most enthusiastic uphill skiers among us will be tempted by a ride to the top.
These are the operator’s current target dates, so check the latest announcements when planning a trip around the new lifts.
The new facilities at Lognan will include dining spaces, public toilets and an arrival hall giving access to the snow front. It has been a bit bleak these past few years skiing at Grand Montet, with limited facilities, but one silver lining has been the Raclette Bar that popped up after the fire.
It has been amazing. A well-priced raclette sandwich, a vin chaud, those views and some brilliant tunes — it is hard to ask for much more from a mountain lunch stop.
It has brought so much atmosphere to the place while we have been waiting for the station to return. If you haven’t stopped there yet, it is well worth a visit. We will be pleased to see the new facilities, but the Raclette Bar deserves plenty of credit for making the intervening winters that bit better and we are sure it will live on.
The lift installations are being built by Doppelmayr, with station designs by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Their glass forms take inspiration from the pyrite crystals found in the massif.
We’re looking forward to seeing how it all feels once the doors open — and, eventually, enjoying that familiar view from the top again.
If you’re driving to Grands Montets, it’s worth checking the parking arrangements before you go. There’s talk locally that the car park will become paid, following the example of Le Tour, where a day’s parking can cost around €18. For now, information is mixed: the tourist office still lists Grands Montets as free, while Les Chosalets describes it as paid. We’re keeping an eye out for a confirmed start date and tariff, so check the signs on arrival.
Whether you’re looking forward to the new lifts or hoping for a few more powder days under your own steam, we would love to help you plan a stay in Argentière.
At Alpes Agency, we can help you find a chalet or apartment that suits your holiday, with practical advice on getting to the mountain. Get in touch and start planning your next visit, or have a look here at what we have on offer.
Lift opening dates and parking arrangements may change. Check the latest announcements before travelling.
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