Pointe de la Masse Ski Lift Appears to be Victim of its Own Success

20th December 2022 | James Cove, Les Menuires, France.

Last modified on December 23rd, 2022

The lift in Les Menuires draws huge crowds as people head to the viewing platform at the top & enjoy the varied skiing on offer. PlanetSKI went for a ride to see if all the attention is warranted.

The lift is one of the fastest in the French Alps (25kms/hour) and has opened up an area that was once thought to be a bit of a backwater of Les3Vallees.

The old way up was two lifts and it took around 30 minutes from 1,800m to reach the top at 2,804m.

Not anymore.

It was busy on my visit, but the queue moved.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

So, what’s so special about the lift and the area it gives quicker access to?

First the ride up.

At the top is a 360-degree viewing platform.

Here’s 180-degrees of it:

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Some of the most iconic mountains in the Alps can be spotted.

To the north, The Grand Combin near Verbier.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

To the south, the Meije that towers above the legendary off piste resort of La Grave.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

The viewing platform draws in the crowds in their droves.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Heading to the pistes was a busy affair.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

“It has become a destination in its own right and was packed last winter and in some ways it became a victim of its own success,” said Alban Naffrechoux from the Les Menuires tourist office to me.

“It used to be a secret spot, but now it’s known to many.”

Alban Naffrechoux, Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI’s reporter Chris Moran was here a year ago for its official opening.

‘Fastest gondola in the world’ opens in Les3Vallees

And he has been back this season.

“When I first rode the lift on its opening weekend a year ago I thought that it would bring in the crowds for the experience on the viewing platform and variety of terrain on offer,” said Chris.

“Little did I know it would be so popular and transform the area.”

There is a wide variety of skiing from the top – from gentle blues and challenging reds, through to steep blacks and some serious off piste.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

The black was near empty as the crowds headed to the other offerings.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

This is an area where locals in-the-know come for fresh powder.

Not all are happy with the influx of people.

“This was a secret spot for so many of us locals, but we come here to ski powder and most of the people that come here stick to the marked runs,” one local told me.

At the moment there is not enough snow to tackle the best of the off piste from La Masse.

Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI

As well as seeing the influence of La Masse to Les Menuires I am staying in the resort’s new 4* flagship hotel that has just opened for the season – the Higalik Hotel.