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Tignes Grande Motte lift reopens

featured in News & reviews Author Robin Deering, Val d'Isere Editor Updated

After nearly two months of closure the Grande Motte telepherique has finally reopened, giving skiers access to the glacier at 3456 metres.

The top lift was shut after a breakdown in December where 45 people were safely evacuated

At the start of the winter the Grande Motte telepherique stopped before the arrival point resulting in a long evacuation of the 45 skiers on-board.

The Tignes lift company (STGM) announced yesterday the reopening of the lift and offered an explanation of the incident.
Benoît Galienne says the ice-scraper on the cable was swept under the wheels of the cabin and blocked the cabin from moving any further - the design of the ice scraper has since been modified to avoid such problems.
The length of time to fix the issue was prolonged by the adverse (snowy and cold) weather conditions up on the Grande Motte.
The STGM made the most of the lift being closed with several accident simulations and practice rescue missions.

You can check the Tignes lift status here as the lift can shut when there are strong winds.