Talk of a link from the valley floor to Flaine has been around for many years.
However, last autumn approval was given to consider the project as a telecabine (a funiculaire being too expensive).
Linking the valley to the Grand Massif
The project in question would connect Magland, nr Cluses, in the valley floor to Les Carroz, the Pierre carree and then Flaine. One of the possible proposed routes is shown below:
A major investment
That’s a distance of over six kilometres and the lift would be able to carry around 4800 passengers per hour.
The FuniFlaine would actually take advantage of a cableway that was laid originally to carry concrete blocks up to the resort of Flaine when it was first built.
The resort of Flaine
Funding is still required
Over the last 4o years various options have been discussed, including a starting point in Sallanches. If Annecy had won their bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics it would almost certainly have been green-lighted already.
There are many obstacles to be overcome before the project can go live. Not least is the question of funding. Estimates have varied from €35 million to €80 million
Even before that can be tackled, a location for the Les Carroz station would have to be found.
Environmental benefits
It would also need the support of SNCF and ATMB as the rail and road network would need to be upgraded to deal with the increase in traffic, particularly at the weekends.
There would be a green benefit, despite any extra traffic, due to the reduction in carbon emissions from cars and buses going up the mountain.
Ready for 2018?
Don’t book your holiday in Cluses yet though. Even if it does go ahead, we are looking at 2018 as a possible opening date!
Snowy Flaine
Article by Iain Martin
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The politics of the FuniFlaine (video in French)
If you speak French, this video gives you an insight into the politics behind the whole project: