The First High-Altitude Cable Car Roof Terrace Has Opened in France

The cable car is in operation for the winter season from now until May 1, 2019, to transport skiers and snowboarders. It then reopens along with the roof terrace for the summer season, which runs from mid-June until the end of August, allowing summer hikers and bikers to discover the beauty of the Tignes-Champagny nature reserve.

Tucked away in the French Alps near the Italian border, Tignes is one of the most popular ski areas in France. It’s also one of the most beautiful, and a bird’s eye view of this rugged landscape is long overdue.

This exciting new attraction starts at the Tignes funicular station at a height of 2,100 metres. The cable cars lead to the Grande Motte Glacier, which is perched at an altitude of 3,032 metres. From the open roof terrace, gaze out across the picturesque Grande Motte Glacier, the gateway to the Vanoise National Park.

The main summer attraction of the area has always been glacier skiing. However, this activity is threatened by climate change, shortening the summer ski season and causing glacial retreat. It is hoped that the new cable car and roof terrace will inspire more hikers to visit Tignes in the summer and to appreciate the scope of beauty the Vanoise national park has to offer.

The new cable car’s two open-top cabins will invite lucky guests to admire a unique 360-degree view of one of the most beautiful scenes of the French Alps. The cabins command unrivalled views of the famous Mont Blanc, the Cime de Bellecôte and the Aiguille de la Grande Sassière, which rises up to a majestic height of 3,747 metres.

The new Tignes aerial tramway demonstrates the impressive technological progress associated with the latest generation of ski facilities.

It was designed in Switzerland by Garaventa AG and is equipped with state-of-the-art comfort and safety technologies. The new cable car is part of a global investment project called Altitude Experiences whose budget for ski projects is up to €17 million.

Whilst there are other cable cars with roof terraces, this one is unique as it is the largest high altitude version. It was designed in such a way that it can withstand the weather at a height of over 3,000 metres, which is an unprecedented first.

There is also an emphasis on architectural modesty and discretion in the design of the cable car, as the attraction blends in perfectly with its surroundings in order to not spoil the natural beauty of the area.

Due to extreme temperatures and heavy snowfall at over 3,000 metres, the roof terrace itself will be closed in winter. However, it will be open from mid-June until the end of August 2019.

The attraction is accessible to the general public, including people with disabilities. You can purchase a one-day ski pass from €25 per adult or €20 per child. The return foot-passenger ticket, which includes the funicular and cable car, starts at €11 per adult and €6 per child.

As well as simply sitting back to enjoy the views, the attraction aims to be educational too. There will be materials for information about the unique environment and ecosystem inside the Vanoise national park and Tignes-Champagny nature reserve in the Alps.