Would you believe it... winter is here already!
When it seems like last season's goggle tans have only just started to fade, here we go again, donning our snow gear for another season of wintery fun and frolics. Not that we're complaining!
Here in Tignes and Val d'Isere, the season has kicked off to a flying start. With the arrival of the first ever European Winter X Games to be held in Tignes in March, the pipe has already been shaped and the kickers in the Grattalu park have witnessed plenty of dramatics.... and it's not even Christmas yet! Most of the lifts are already open, and you can even sneak in some nifty lines through the trees to les Brevieres and La Daille.
After numerous snowfalls and sunny skies, it's now turned pretty chilly in the Espace Killy, ensuring that a good base of snow is here for the duration of the season. With such a high altitude, we can always trust Tignes to have good snow and for this reason, there are plenty of spectacular events being held here this season.
For many snowsport enthusiasts, these games are the highlight of the winter extreme sports calendar. Drawing the biggest names in freestyle ski, snowboard and snowmobile to the slopes to compete for the title of X-games champion, traditionally the X-Games has been an American event but 2010 sees ESPN and Canal + join forces to present the first ever European X-Games. Previous winners of the X-Games title have included legends like Shaun White, Pep Fujas, Torah Bright and Britain’s very own Jenny Jones.
The Games are due to take place in Tignes Val Claret from the 10th - 12th March and will include extreme performances from such talented skiers and snowboarders as Arthur Longo (FRA), Jenny Jones (GBR), Torah Bright (AUS), Sarah Burke (CAN), Levi Lavelle (USA) and Xavier Bertoni (FRA) to name but a few.
This will be another extravaganza for families and ravers alike, with a huge outdoor dj set from Laurent Wolf. Under the watchful eye of le Grande Balme, a massive dance session is due to take place in the car park of Val Claret and if the music isn't enough, then the beautiful setting of the mountainous surroundings are sure to make this new year a special one.
For the second year in a row, Tignes, the kingdom of Freeride skiing and snowboarding is hosting a freeride competition… by night! The action will take place on March 1st when the best freeriders in France will be brought together on the legendary slopes of the Tufs couloirs. Decked out in luminous vests, they will be choosing their lines by the light of the moon. From your vantage point in the middle of the frozen Tignes lake, you will be amazed by this extreme show under the stars.
Tignes is a ski resort not to be missed during the season of 09/10 as there's plenty of action, both on and off the slopes. Come and join us!
