French newspaper La Dauphine has unveiled plans at the leading French ski resort of La Plagne to link the heart of its ski area to its nearest railway station by gondola in time for the ski season after next.
Currently direct Eurostar weekend ski train services from London St Pancras and Ashford International, as well as high speed rail services from other countries and TGVs from within France, do stop at Aime La Plagne railway station between Moutiers (for the 3 Valleys) and Brides les Bains (for Les Arcs, La Rosiere and other resorts in the region like Tignes and Val d'Isere) but, unlike it's Paradiski region partner Les Arcs, there's no fixed connection between the station and the ski slopes.
Les Arcs has a funicular rail link up to Arc 1600 from Bourg St Maurice which is currently subject to a study on its future too as it is around 50 years old.
The La Plagne plan, the newspaper reports, is to create a €25m gondola link from the rail station to a central point in the ski are. Subject to planning and financing La Dauphine says the connection could be in place for the season after next.
The main interest for French skiers is that it means those based in Paris could be on the slopes of one of the world's biggest ski regions in just over four hours.