Funiculaire Perce-Neige, Underground funicular in Val Claret, Tignes, France
The Funiculaire Perce-Neige is an underground funicular that connects Val Claret at 2100 meters to the Panoramic terrace at 3032 meters through a tunnel carved into the mountain. The system climbs roughly 930 meters in elevation across a 3.5-kilometer route inside the rock.
The funicular opened in 1989 as a groundbreaking solution for alpine transportation at this ski resort. Its underground design was an innovative approach that transformed how visitors accessed the higher elevations of the mountain.
The name Perce-Neige references the French word for snowdrop flower, capturing the idea of breaking through snowy landscapes. This poetic connection between name and function becomes apparent as you ride through the mountain.
The ride takes about seven minutes and moves continuously even during busy periods. Since the entire route is inside the mountain, it operates reliably regardless of weather conditions.
The tunnel infrastructure carries not only passengers but also water and electricity supply lines to the Panoramic mountain restaurant. This dual-purpose design made it possible to operate a full service restaurant at this remote high elevation.
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