The Les Grands Montets ski area is one of the most significant winter sports destinations in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley. Together with the Plan Joran cable car, the lift systems operated by the Compagnie du Mont Blanc provide access to the valley’s highest peaks – reaching up to 3,275 metres, just below the Aiguille Verte, offering spectacular views of the Argentière Glacier.
Following a fire in 2018, the original cable car, built in 1963, is being completely reconstructed. As part of the project, three new stations are being built at Argentière (1,275 m), Lognan (1,950 m), and Grands Montets Pass (3,200 m).
The architectural design, by Renzo Piano, draws inspiration from the geometric clarity of pyrite – a mineral found in the Mont Blanc massif. The cable car stations are conceived as cubic volumes with a modular steel construction. They are positioned as precisely placed structures within the peripheral zones of so-called topos – natural landscape recesses that enable a harmonious integration into the alpine environment. The buildings themselves are made of solid concrete and accommodate all essential operational functions.
schlaich bergermann partner is responsible for the design, detailed planning, and construction supervision of the structural systems and façades of both building types.
A key challenge of the project lies in its high-altitude setting: extreme climatic conditions, protected natural landscapes, and logistically demanding construction phases require highly precise engineering planning and execution.
