Skip to main content

Compagnie Des Alpes pulls out of La Grave bid

SATA in Alpe d'Huez remains the only company left in the dealings

Featured in
News & Reviews
Author
Ian Huyton, Les 2 Alpes Reporter
Updated

One of the two big companies in the running to take over La Grave has just pulled out of the bidding process.

Earlier this year we reported on the Signal de La Grave crowdfunded bid to take over the La Grave lift system in a sustainable fashion. The concession to run the lift system is granted by the Commune of La Grave on a thirty-year basis, and is due for renewal this year. The La Grave Mairie (town hall) rejected the locally instigated crowdfunding initiative in the first stage, preferring to look at bids from the big lift companies in the area.

One of those big companies has just announced that it is withdrawing its bid for the concession. Compagnie des Alpes is a huge company in ski resort terms, having a majority stake in Les Deux Alpes lift operations as well as many other major ski resorts across France. David Ponson, director of ski area operations for the company, cited contention between current operator, Denis Creissel and the La Grave Mairie as the main reason for pulling out. He said that the company had not been given sufficient access to the lift installations or to certain documentation, and that it was therefore difficult to make a precise evaluation.

With one of the major players dropping out, this just leaves one company in the race. SATA, the Alpe d’Huez lift company, looks almost certain to take over the concession and begin running the La Grave lift operations from June this year. What this will mean for the future of the ski area remains to be seen, but one of the mairie’s demands is that the new operator extend the gondola to the top of the Dome de la Lauze where the drag lift currently finishes, and improve the connection to Les Deux Alpes.


Read more from Ian on his website.

Latest News & Reviews

Find out all about what is happening in Les Deux Alpes and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see, and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.

See allLatest News & Reviews
6 reasons why Les 2 Alpes is great in summer 2019
Latest gear - best new clothing for spring 2019
Latest gear - Mountain running equipment for 2019
Latest gear - Camping equipment for summer 2019

Upcoming Events

In winter the resort is host to a number of international festivals and skiing events. The Rise Festival just before Christmas features big name bands and DJs, while other big winter events include the Mad Snow Race in January. In the summer, snow camps and freestyle ski competitions take place on the glacier, while the legendary mountain bike race, the Mountain of Hell, takes place at the end of June.

See allUpcoming Events
Rise Festival 2022, Les Deux Alpes