Submitted by ChamonixNews on
Sunday evening, the 14th of April 2019, the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc closed the ski area Flégère.
This year's celebration was special - not only did it mark the end of the ski season, but it also signified the ending of the historic Flégère cable car.
The Flégère cable car was inaugurated in March 1956.
More than just a simple mean of transport, the Flégère cable car represents an anthology of memories for many inhabitants of the Chamonix valley.
63 years ago, the Monorails Cables company built a device to access the Flégère ski domain. This device was equipped with a carrying cable and two towing ones and offered a breathtaking view of the Mont-Blanc massif.
The creation of this device was aimed at bringing together business partners, gaining support from the municipality, as well as attaining significant financial support.
The steep slopes of Chamonix required a brave project, which was aimed to be finished for the Christmas season in 1955.
However, the project did not meet its deadline for completion and the construction works advanced despite the harsh winter conditions.
The Flégère cable car was finalized and opened on the 25th of March, 1956.
On Sunday, April 14, the last season of the historic Flégère cable car ended.
The weather was mild on Sunday and the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc offered a barbecue to celebrate the event.
There were two reasons for celebrating: it was the end of the winter season 2018-2019, but also the last occasion to ride the historic Flégère cable car which has been functional for the past 63 years.
Tourists and residents enjoyed the last day of this winter season in the Flégère domain while skiing and taking a last ride on the cable car that bears precious memories for many of them.
A new ambitious project was launched to modernize the Flégère cable car.
The ending of the Flégère cable car does not mean that the domain will no longer be accessible.
On the contrary, the success of the Flégère ski domain required a change, which was decided last year, during a public meeting in Les Praz.
According to Le Dauphine, the new gondola will offer 10 seats and a flow of around 2,000 people per hour at a speed of 6 meters per second.
The new project was designed to both satisfy the high demand and to provide customers with more comfort, as the trip will be seated.
The old Flégère cable cars will remain in the hearts of many, and the most nostalgic ones will be able to still use them, as they will be utilised for the Brévent - Flégère ride.
