Work is underway on a spectacular new Funitel lift at Alpe d'Huez in France to improve access to the Sarenne Glacier. The new Doppelmayr lift will work in a similar way to a funicular railway crossed with a gondola, as rather than continuing on a loop like most funitel lifts, the giant gondola cabins will reverse up and down the twin suspending cables.

The lift alone is costing �4.6 million, even without its top and bottom stations and links the Marmottes II lift to the glacier to improve access particularly at the start and end of the season. Ultra-stable, it can operate even in winds exceeding 30 metres per second. Capacity is 1,100 skiers per hour. Opening date is scheduled for December this year.