Alpe d’Huez Cable Car Re-Opens After Crash That Injured 23 People

27th August 2026

Last modified on August 30th, 2026

The damaged cabin was removed ahead of the weekend and structural tests were carried out.

The cable car re-opened on Saturday and Sunday and was operating with just one cabin.

It will close on Sunday evening at the end of the “standard” summer season.

The the collision does not alter the construction schedule for the cable car’s mid-station.

At the time of the accident work was underway at the station.

Three people remain in a serious condition in hospital and 13 others have severe injuries.

A cabin from the Pic Blanc lift collided with the extended arm of a construction crane that was operating in the immediate area.

The cable car had just left the base station.

The lift veered sharply off its horizontal access and the passengers slid across the floor to one end of the cabin.

Bodies piled up on each other as all the passengers were suddenly thrust one way.

The lift operator put the cabin into reverse in order to stabilise the cabin as quickly as possible.

37 rescue personnel were immediately deployed to the incident and a major incident was declared.

“There are mainly people in shock and cases of concussion,” said the mayor of Alpe d’Huez Jean-Yves Noyrey after the accident.

Local authorities established a psychological support center at the municipal sports complex in the village to assist uninjured passengers experiencing trauma.

The seriously injured are being treated at the nearby Grenoble Alpes University Hospital.

No further details, including their nationalities, have been released on the injured people.

One person injured is reported to be a pregnant woman.

The public prosecutor’s office in Grenoble is leading the investigation.

It will be examining if the crane operator knew of the passing cable car overhead and what safety measures were in place at the time.

It will also be checking routine maintenance timetables, staff training, emergency evacuation drills and the overall safety record.

The Pic Blanc cable car takes people to the 3,330m summit of the resort and started operations in 2025 as it replaced an older lift.

It can carry 70 people.

It is one of the most popular summer attractions in the resort for visitors as they head to the top to gaze at the spectacular  view across the mountains and go hiking and mountain biking.

Resort officials have advised visitors to follow local guidance and to expect delays or changes to planned activities while lift remains closed.

Other lifts  and other tourist services in the resort have reviewed their safety procedures as a precaution.

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