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New Bellecôte Gondola: What You Need to Know for Winter 2025/26
Big lift news from La Plagne! Whether you’ve skied here before or it’s your first time, this sleek new 10-seater gondola will make a big difference to your ski day, especially if you're skiing with kids.
What’s Changing in Winter 2025/26
The new gondola connects Plagne Bellecôte (1,933m) to Roche de Mio (2,714m) via a mid-station at Col de Forcle. This replaces the ageing Roche de Mio gondola and more than doubles the uplift capacity to 3,140 people per hour.
This image is of the Roche de Mio bubble lift mid-station at the Col de Forcle. If you're wondering where that is, it's just at the bottom of the Petit Rochette piste from the Grande Rochette peak in Plagne Centre.
What It Means for You
- Faster access to high-altitude skiing: Less waiting, more skiing
- Easy connections to Champagny and Grande Rochette via the mid-station
- Improved reliability on busy days
- Better for families juggling ski lessons, lunch stops and different ability levels
This new gondola dramatically improves how skiers can move around La Plagne. Especially if you’re staying in Plagne Bellecôte. The new lift will give faster access to high-altitude areas like Roche de Mio. Plus, you'll spend less time queuing and more time skiing, especially handy during peak holiday weeks.
The mid-station makes it easy to link across to both Champagny and the Grande Rochette peak in Plagne Centre. It’s going to open up more terrain for mixed-ability groups. And thanks to the increased capacity, it will be more reliable during busy periods, helping families juggle ski school drop-offs, lunch meet-ups and scenic adventures with far less stress.
How Do Pedestrians Get Between Bellecôte and Belle Plagne?
With the retirement of the old bubble lift, one of the big questions for visitors is how to get between Bellecôte and Belle Plagne without skis. The good news? There is a clear plan in place for summer 2025. From 5th July to 30th August 2025, during the summer opening dates, La Plagne will run a free shuttle bus service linking the two villages. This service will be free and available to all pedestrians.
Then, for the coming winter 2025/26, the old bubble lift connection between Bellecôte and Belle Plagne will run again to join the 2 villages together.
This makes it easy for families, non-skiers, or anyone popping to Belle Plagne for lunch or ski school to get around without needing to clip into skis. You can find all the La Plagne shuttle bus timetables for summer and winter.
Bellecôte Gondola Facts That Might Surprise You
The new Roche de Mio gondola is not just faster, it's also a bit of an engineering marvel:
- There are 168 gondolas running on the line, keeping the flow constant and the queues short.
- The tallest pylon reaches 37 metres, which is about the height of a 12-storey building!
- It can carry up to 3,140 people per hour, making it one of the most efficient lifts in the resort.
All of this adds up to a smoother, quicker, and more comfortable ride to one of La Plagne's most stunning summits.
What Happened to the Old Bellecôte Gondola?
If you're wondering where the original Bellecôte gondola has gone, you're not alone. This iconic lift served La Plagne for decades, linking Bellecôte and Roche de Mio long before the 2025 upgrade.
After years of faithful service, and more than a few family photos taken inside its classic cabins! The old gondola was officially decommissioned to make way for the newer, more efficient model. But here's the fun bit: 121 of those vintage Bellecôte gondola cabins were actually sold to the public. Whether for garden décor or an Alpine-themed home bar!
Why the new Bellecôte Gondola is a Game-Changer
If you've queued for the old Bellecôte bubble lift, the Arpette, Blanchets or Colossus chair lifts on a busy February morning, you'll know how congested Bellecôte can get. This upgrade helps smooth out the flow, with more people moving faster and fewer bottlenecks.
And paired with the new Glacier lift and Aérolive panoramic cabins introduced last season, it means you can go from village to summit in style, with some serious views of Mont Blanc thrown in.
Planning Your Routes
With the new gondola in place, exploring the mountain just got easier, especially if you’re starting from Plagne Centre or Belle Plagne. You can now enjoy smoother loops across the ski area that work brilliantly for families with different needs and energy levels.
The route I’m most excited about is that you’ll be able to t ake the Grande Rochette bubble lift and ski down to the mid-station at Col de Forcle, then head up to Roche de Mio. Cutting the need out completely to head to Bellecôte. This is really exciting as it should relieve pressure on the choke point that is Bellecôte on busy weeks.
Another great option is to head from Belle Plagne to Roche de Mio, continue on to the Glacier lift, then drop into Champagny via Carella, before looping back to Bellecôte. This route offers stunning high-altitude views and a variety of terrain.
For a memorable lunch stop, try Roc des Blanchets in Champagny. Its terrace has unbeatable views over the valley. Alternatively, stay higher and grab a bite at Chalet Roche de Mio at the summit.
If you’ve got beginners in the group or little legs that need a break, you can still ride the gondola up to Roche de Mio and download without skiing. It’s a great way to take in the scenery without the pressure. It also makes this peak a great meeting point and lunch stop for pedestrians and skiers to enjoy an alpine bite.
Why This Bellecôte Gondola Upgrade Really Matters
This is one of those rare resort upgrades that genuinely makes your ski day easier. It keeps the resort well connected, speeds up access to some of the best terrain, and helps families like yours make the most of every minute on the slopes.
FAQs About the New Bellecôte Gondola
When does the new gondola open?
It’s scheduled to open for the start of the 2025/26 winter season, just in time for Christmas and New Year holidays.
Where does the gondola start and finish?
The lift starts in Plagne Bellecôte and travels up to Roche de Mio, with a mid-station at Col de Forcle.
Is the gondola suitable for beginners or non-skiers?
Yes. You can ride up and download without skiing, making it a great option for scenic views, meeting friends for lunch, or just taking in the experience.
Can you get to Roche de Mio from other parts of La Plagne?
Absolutely. You can access the summit from Champagny via the Carella chairlift or from the summit of Grande Rochette by boarding the gondola at Col de Forcle.
What facilities are at the top?
There’s the Chalet Roche de Mio restaurant. Perfect for a warm-up, hot chocolate or a relaxed lunch.
Will it reduce queues?
Yes. With 168 gondolas and a 3,140-person-per-hour capacity, this new lift is designed to keep things moving smoothly, even in peak season.
Is there still a lift between Belle Plagne and Bellecôte?
The old bubble lift has been retired, and there won't be a bubble lift between the 2 villages. It is likely there will be a free shuttle bus as there is between the other La Plagne villages.
