Col de la Fenêtre Altiport

The closure was primarily due to a combination of economic factors and redundancy. Key reasons include:
1. **Economic Non-Viability:** The altiport saw very low traffic and was expensive to maintain, especially given its high altitude and unpaved, sloped runway which required constant upkeep.
2. **Competition from Nearby Altiports:** It was overshadowed by the larger, more famous, and better-equipped altiports of Courchevel (LFLJ) and Méribel (LFKX), which are also in the Les Trois Vallées ski area and attracted the majority of the air traffic.
3. **Improved Ground and Helicopter Access:** As road access to the Les Menuires and Val Thorens ski resorts improved and helicopter services became a more common and flexible option for VIP transport, the need for a fixed-wing altiport at this specific location diminished significantly.

The site of the former altiport has been completely reclaimed by the Les Menuires ski area. There is no remaining aviation infrastructure (e.g., hangar, windsock, or markings). The faint outline of the former sloped runway is now used as a ski piste and a service road for the ski lifts, specifically in the 'Reberty' sector of the resort. It is located very close to the top of the Télésiège du Reberty (Reberty Chairlift). For all practical purposes, the site is now an integrated part of a major ski resort and is unrecognizable as an airfield to the casual observer.

The Col de la Fenêtre Altiport was built in the early 1970s (around 1972) as part of the massive development of the Les Menuires ski resort. Its primary purpose was to provide direct air access for tourists and private pilots, mirroring the successful model of the Courchevel and Méribel altiports. It was characteristic of the 'golden age' of Alpine aviation, designed to serve STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-6 Porter and Jodel D140 Mousquetaire. The altiport featured a single, steep, unpaved runway (approximately 500 meters long) at an elevation of over 2,100 meters (approx. 6,900 feet), making it a challenging and scenic destination for mountain pilots. It played a small but notable role in the expansion of Les Trois Vallées, offering a unique arrival experience before it was rendered obsolete by other transport methods.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Col de la Fenêtre Altiport. Reopening is considered highly improbable for several reasons:
- The land has been fully repurposed for ski operations, which are the primary economic driver of the region.
- There is no demonstrated demand for a third altiport in Les Trois Vallées.
- The cost of re-establishing the runway and meeting modern safety standards would be prohibitive.
- Existing access via nearby airports (Chambéry, Geneva, Lyon) combined with ground or helicopter transfers is sufficient for current needs.