New Helbronner lift Completed

After a massive investment of 110 million Euros the reinvented Mont Blanc Cable Car is slated to open early this June. The changes to the lift system are sweeping and have resulted in a more streamlined system that highlights the scenery on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif. 

If there’s a vague resemblance to Canadian-American Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim design, well, that’s probably due foremost to the titanium panelling mirroring certain elements of the well-known architecture in Bilbao. The Italian designers’ vision was to create a state-of-the-art lift system incorporating the latest in energy saving eco-friendly technology - the architect’s website has a fair bit of waffle (and indeed some space-odyssey inspired sketches of the cablecar) … but here are the highlights: 

“Because of the extremely limited space available, the station will be constructed in a mostly vertical manner with cantilevered terraces, which emulate the natural elements of its environment. Structures are developed using high performance materials suited for their resistance to the elements and able to prevent the formation of snow and ice on their surface… Higher structures and external facings are in zinc titanium coated steel and thick glass windows designed to provide a specific scenic exposure. A circular scenic terrace of 14 metres in diameter will provide a 360˚ view of Mont Blanc, Dent du Géant, Grandes Jorasses and Vallée Blanche.” 

The lift company has a great selection of webcams from which you can get a good look - Cordée Mont Blanc Webcam