Authorities say a rescue operation is under way and there are no reported injuries.
Two helicopters as well as numerous rescuers have been drafted in.
The breakdown reportedly occurred at around 3pm, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.
Around 70 gondolas are thought to be immobilised.
An official with the prefecture in the eastern Isere region told The Associated Press on Sunday that most of the skiers were evacuated after spending one or two hours stuck on the gondola at the Chamrousse resort.
The gondola cars run 82 feet above the ground.
Violaine Demaret, the prefecture official, says two civil security helicopters dropped rescue personnel over every car to open the roof hatches, release the skiers inside and lower them down to safety.
Ms Demaret says the rescue operation should be completed before nightfall.
Franck Lecoutre, the director of the Chamrousse tourist office said no one had been hurt in the incident and the weather had been favourable.
The reason for the breakdown is not yet known.
The ski lift operation from the resort of Chamrousse to the summit of the Chamrousse Cross, at 2,250 meters.
The Chamrousse Cross gondola was set up in 2009 to replace a cable car and two chair lifts.
More to follow…