In December 2012, the Commune of Chamonix and the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc (CMB) decided to terminate, by mutual agreement, the concessions and management of all the lifts and ski areas in the Chamonix Valley with the exceptions of the Aiguille du Midi telecabine, the Montenvers Railway and the Tramway du Mont-Blanc out of Le Fayet.
The Commune of Chamonix has put the contract to operate Chamonix Brevent - Flegere, Le Tour / Balme and Les Grands Montets out to tender.
The 80 page prospectus requires bidders to include an investment budget and schedule above that formerly proposed by the CMB (french version only available) and longer operation hours of the lift systems.
Although the Commune of Chamonix is concerend about the dramatic price increases levied by the CMB in recent years, there is no explicit requirement for a price cap or limited uplift. It appears that the Chamonix Commune shall reluctantly permit the operator to set prices as they choose. An uplift of between 2.34% and 3.21% is proposed for 2014.
Bids shall be submitted in early July 2013. The new contract shall be awarded at the end of September 2013 with proposed operational start date in November 2013. Precise dates for this process have not been released to the public.
Two companies have have declared an interest to operate the ski areas on the prospectus.
One candidate is the company that currently holds the concession, the Compagnie du Mont Blanc. The second candidate is SEPP.
SEPP operates the Bellevue Lift in Les Houches ski area. The CMB operates the Prarion Gondola in Les Houches.
Source Radio Mont Blanc with additional reporting from the Chamonix Networks News Team
More Info: CMB investment Plan in English (Outdated)
