Edge Magazine - Tignes, Val d'Isere, La Rosiere, Sainte Foy

T I G N E S - VA L D ’ I S E R E - S T F O Y - L A R O S I E R E

SKIMILES

LIVE TO

COURSES

All Terrain Off Piste Adventure Backcountry Race Pro Training Backcountry Access Junior Race

TM

SK I

PA R T N E R S

OVER 50 SKI COURSES ACROSS 12 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE

0844 543 0503 / +44 870 122 5549 info@snoworks.co.uk

w w w.snoworks.com

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

We’re really excited to bring you the new-look Edge magazine and hope we can help you make the most of your stay. Our team is lucky enough to live in this incredible mountain playground and we’re happy to pass on our local knowledge so you can enjoy it as much as we do.

With predictions for an El Nino winter hitting Europe and plenty of pre-season snowfall, all the evidence points to 2016 being a bumper season. And it’s not just the weather that’s due to be better than ever – our resorts (already the best in the world!) are improving all the time too. This year you’ll find new restaurants, apres hubs, lifts, activities, shops, ski courses and lots more.

We’ve titled this winter’s magazine the No Limits Edition because it features so many inspirational people going above and beyond to achieve their dreams – none more so than Eddie the Eagle. Look out for the Hollywood film about his amazing life in cinemas in 2016!

We’ve packed these pages with as much as we could but for more info, and the latest news and events, bookmark our website www.edgemag.net. Don’t leave your chalet without checking our live pages for webcams, weather, ski lift openings and travel news. Sign up online to receive our news and offers (no spam). Join us on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and tag your pictures #LoveTignes #LoveValdisere #LoveLaRosiere #LoveStFoy so we can share them!

Katie Cooksey, editor

TIGNES

VAL D’ISERE

Tignes is so diverse with the old village of Brevieres, brand new 1800, cosy Lavachet and sporty Le Lac and Val Claret – there’s something for everyone. The Espace Killy is a vast land of fun, not just for skiing but for snowmobiles, showshoeing, ice diving, ice skating, dog sledding and more. Don’t forget to relax too – in our bars, restaurants, clubs, bowling alley, cinema and the tranquil Lagon pool and spa. Make sure you visit Tignespace, the largest sports complex in the Alps.

It doesn’t matter when you arrive - every day is ideal to ski the legendary Val d’Isere. We have many regular visitors because of our guaranteed snow (natural, and now aided by the most efficient snow-making machinery in Europe). This year it’s the 60th anniversary of the Criterium de la Premiere Neige being held here. Heroes Jean-Claude Killy, the champion Goitschel sisters, Ingrid Jacquemod, Matthieu Bozzetto and the cream of Avalins [people local to the Alps] will be present.

I am proud to say that all Tignards have one ambition; to make your vacation a unique and memorable experience – we’re working all day in the resort and all night while preparing the pistes, to make your stay the best. We’re working on new beginners areas and more activities too and we’re sure that, like us, you’ll become a TignesAddict.

Val d’Isere is already a family resort and the new beginners area at the top of the Solaise confirms that. But we’re also internationally renowned for the best skiing. Major events are held in our fantastic playground thanks to the huge ski area, technical slopes like the Face de Bellevarde and the accessibility via our top class lift system. In summer the resort is as active as in winter with hiking, mountain biking (all chairlifts are free), traditional fetes and lots more. So don’t forget to book your return visit before you leave.

by mayor Jean-Christophe Vitale

Sub-edited by Tom Airey Design, graphics and layout by Ryan Mitson.

Website www.edgemag.net created by Mountain Breeze IT Services.

Front cover image by Tristan Shu.

by mayor Marc Bauer

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers. www.magprint.co.uk.

Please recycle this magazine when you’re finished with it, or pass it on!

With thanks to the tourist offices of Tignes, Val d’Isere, Sainte Foy and La Rosiere.

Copyright belongs to ECSUS Design Ltd. Edge Magazine is published in the UK and remains the property of ECSUS Design Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publishers.

Dates, information and prices are believed to be correct at the time of going to print but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for ommissions or errors.

Any correspondence and advertising enquiries should be directed to info@edgemag.net.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

HOT PROPERTY

SKI GUIDE

LET EVOLUTION 2 TAKE YOU ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE MOUNTAINS

WHY BUYING IN A SKI RESORT MIGHT BE YOUR MOST SENSIBLE INVESTMENT

SKI-TREPRENEURS

THE ENTREPRENEURS AIMING HIGH IN THE ALPS

MUST DOS

OUR PICK OF UNMISSABLE ACTIVITIES

BILLY MORGAN

EVENTS

DON’T MISS THE WORLD-CLASS ACTION COMING TO OUR RESORTS

THE QUAD CORKER TALKS SNOWBOARD ACROBATICS

APRES YOUR WAY

EDDIE THE EAGLE

STAR OF A NEW HOLLYWOOD MOVIE

FROM INTERNATIONAL CLUB NIGHTS TO A COSY CHALET EVENINGS IN

SUNSET SONS

THEIR RISE FROM THE ALPS SCENE TO INTERNATIONAL STARDOM

VAL D’ISERE

ANCIENT MEETS MODERN

ROAD RAGE REMEDY

DON’T GET MAD, GET PREPARED FOR DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS

GLIDE IN YOUR RIDE

IS IT TIME TO GET YOUR SKIS/SNOWBOARD TUNED?

LIVE THE POWDER DREAM MAKE THE LEAP FROM PISTE SKIER TO ALL-MOUNTAIN EXPLORER

ALL THE GEAR

SHOPPING IS AN ENTERTAINING ACTIVITY ITSELF IN VAL D’ISERE

SAVE OUR SNOW

DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

SAINTE FOY

THE SMALL RESORT WITH A BIG HEART.

CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS

WHAT MADE A MUSIC PROMOTER GIVE UP LONDON FOR LA ROSIERE?

WHEN IN FRANCE

EXPERIENCE FRENCH CULTURE THROUGH YOUR STOMACH

NEWS JUST IN

BREAKING NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

GET MORE FROM YOUR MOUNTAIN TRY A NEW ALPINE ACTIVITY

SKI INJURY FREE MEET SNOW ARTIST SIMON BECK

AND SKI WORRY FREE

ARTISTIC AND ATHLETIC

SUMMER SPECIAL

DON’T WAIT UNTIL NEXT WINTER FOR YOUR NEXT ALPS ADVENTURE!

#TRENDING HOT TOPICS

COMPETITIONS

WIN SKI GEAR, FREE TRANSFERS AND MORE

LAVACHET LOVE

THE SMALL TIGNES TOWN ABOUT TO BURST ONTO THE TOURIST TRAIL

DIRECTORY & ESSENTIAL NUMBERS Red Bull

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#LoveStFoy

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

WHAT TH E E V OLUTION 2 I N S TR U C T OR S D ON ’T KN OW A BO U T TH E S E M OUN TAIN S J US T I S N ’ T W ORTH KN OWIN G. IF A S LO P E ’ S C R OWD E D WITH LE S S O NS , T H EY ’LL FIN D ON E J US T AS G O O D THAT ISN ’T. IF T H E S NOW ’ S PATCHY THE Y ’LL TAK E Y O U TO W H E R E T H E GO O D S T UF F CAN B E FOUN D. TH IS Y EAR , T H E Y ’ R E PARTN E R IN G WI T H T H E S K I CLUB OF GR E AT BRI TA I N TO OFFE R G UIDIN G - AN I N T R O D UCTI ON TO THE MOU NTA I NS S O Y OU CAN SKI LI K E A L O C A L FR OM D AY ON E .

BEF O R E Y O U L AUN CH ON TO THE S LO P E S , TA K E A LOOK AT TH E IR I N S I D E R T I P S F OR MAKIN G THE MOS T OF Y O U R SKI AR E A…

Kev Herbert

Off-Piste & MountainSafety Specialist & Backcountry Guide

Off-piste and backcountry terrain has inherent dangers, many of which can be hidden from view. It is essential to carry, and know how to use, the appropriate equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel) whenever venturing outside the piste markers. We strongly recommended any off-piste riding is done with a qualified and experienced guide.

Andy Parrant

6

ISER ’ D L VA

E

BAD WEATHER Jump on the bus to Le Fornet. From the top of the cable car take the blue Mangard or red Cognon runs down through the trees – or if you’re feeling confident, the black Foret naturide.

Do the “Backward M” from Val d’Isere to Le Fornet.

Take the Solaise lift and ski down the blue Piste L or Germain Mattis red. L is a sheltered gully all the way down, with Mattis a little more exposed at the top – where you’re skiing down the path of the legendary Tour de France cycle race - but then enters the trees.

Go up the Laisinant chairlift then down to Le Fornet.

From there, you can take the bus back to Val d’Isere.

FIRST DAY ITINERARY From Val d’Isere take the Olympique to the Ski Tranquille and down into La Daille. The red OK is the run used for World Cup racing. Take the Funival, ski the blue Collet or red Fontaine Froide, then descend the blue Santons into Val d’Isere. Take the Solaise lift up, go over to the Glacier lift then the “up and over” Leissieres chair (careful not to leave your stomach behind). Cruise into the top of Le Fornet, ride the blue Vallon to the Signal restaurant, then up the bubble lift and back over the way you came. The view of the Grande Motte as you come back over is stunning.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

BEST PHOTO OP From the top of the Solaise you can see right down to the dam at the Lac du Chevril, plus you have fantastic views through the gorge to Les Boisses.

Mikh

ail Ki rsano

v

EASE INTO OFF-PISTE FAMILIES Head for the Ski Tranquille area at the top of the Rocher de Bellevarde. The Olympique telecabine from Val d’Isere centre leads directly onto easy terrain with a choice of dedicated beginner slopes, simple green runs and some fun blues. If it’s busy, try the less frequented Grand Pre green (get there via the blue Collet run). More adventurous intermediates can try the gully run Santons.

Alternatively, from the top of the Solaise, head across the plateau via the new magic carpet and take the Glacier lift to some long rolling blues and easy green runs in the Madeleine area.

Take Solaise and Madeleine lifts up the mountain. Try the red Arcelle run for speed, or to your right is the Marmottons naturide.

Take the Tour du Charvet off the top of the Grande Pre, round the back of the peak and down through a natural gorge into the valley. Head up the Manchet lift and work your way up to Cugnai – a classic easy Val d’Isere off-piste – to some lovely picnic spots.

For more serious off-piste, you want the Les Danaides area. Come off the Solaise into Le Lavancher valley. Don’t go straight down the valley, head diagonally through the trees – a fun run that takes you straight back into Val d’Isere.

IN VA L D’I S E R E Rond Point des Pistes, Val d’Isere Phone : +33 (0)4 79 00 77 29 Twitter : @Evo2VDI www.evolution2-valdisere.com Download the Ski Guides: www.edgemag.net/skiguide # L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

7

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

FIRST DAY ITINERARY Get your ski legs back with the blue tour of Tignes.

The route gradually increases in difficulty and there’s a great variety of terrain and scenery. A much better alternative to simply circling the Palafour, which many people do on the first day to get their confidence back.

TIGNE

S

Take the Toviere bubble lift up from Le Lac and follow piste Henri into Val Claret – a cruisy motorway where you can practice your turns.

Grab the Tichot lift and find your feet circling the family-friendly Grattalu area.

Move off up the Grand Huit – a bit more challenging with a steeper section to get some speed up.

From the Aiguille Percee, take the blue run into Le Lac or choose Rhododendron and Melezes into Les Boisses.

BAD WEATHER From the Sache bubble lift in Les Brevieres, start off with the blue Melezes run through the trees, ending in pretty Les Brevieres for lunch. For some off-piste, veer off into the trees around the red Pavot run.

Just over the Val d’Isere border (full area ski pass required) but just as easily accessible from Tignes via Toviere is the Vallee Perdue. Find some mixed ability tree runs, with both tricky and easy off-piste, around the Triffolet red run from the bottom of the Tommeuses. It’s an easy return using the Funival to the top of the Bellevarde, ski through the Ski Tranquille towards the Tommeuses. Stop off at the Folie Douce and warm up with a bit of dancing to the cabaret.

BEST PHOTO OP The eye of the needle is a stunning rock formation at the top of the Aiguille Percee lift. The best picture can be snapped if you walk up a little path (signposted off-piste) opposite the lift. Turn around when you reach the rock and you’ll get a stunning photo with a view of Tignes through the eye. For an even more stunning picture, and one not many people will have, skin up there in time for sunrise.

On the other side of Tignes, walk to the Lavachet ridge – where Mickey’s Ears used to be. Go up in the Toviere bubble lift, down Cretes to the top of the Combe Folle drag lift then it’s a 10-minute walk up following the obvious line. You’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view down the valley to the Lac du Chevril and Mont Blanc in the distance. You can ski off-piste down to Tommeuses or Combe Folle on the other side.

Andy Parrant

8

I N TI GNE S Evolution 2 Tignes +33(0)7 60 82 10 12 www.evolution2-tignes.com @EVO2TIGNES Download the Ski Guides: www.edgemag.net/skiguide

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

NATURIDES ARE BLACK RUNS WHICH ARE PATROLLED BUT NOT GROOMED. THEY’RE LEFT TO DEVELOP NATURALLY WITH THE CONDITIONS, GIVING YOU A TASTE OF BACKCOUNTRY TERRAIN BUT WITH THE SAFETY BACK-UP OF BEING TECHNICALLY ‘ON-PISTE’. MAKE SURE YOU’RE COMFORTABLE HERE BEFORE THINKING ABOUT GOING FURTHER AFIELD.

EASE INTO OFF-PISTE Start on the black Sache – although it’s not a proper naturide, it can in fact be trickier. From the Aiguille Percee, it takes you all the way down into Brevieres – the longest run in resort.

The quickest naturide is the Epilobe, which runs under the Chaudannes lift. It joins the blue Petit Col run but you can cut off to continue directly under the lift.

Access the Golf Naturide from the top of the Grattalu. Turn right when getting off the lift, take Le Mur red towards the Merles chairlift and its namesake piste (around the Bun-J ride) before peeling off right and heading down into the main gully via a steep wall.

FAMILIES Grattalu is an open area with something for everyone.

Adults can take the Col des Ves lift and ski the Pramecou black for an adrenalin hit, or practice turns circling the Grattalu. Younger ones can play in the snowpark. From here, it’s an easy return to Le Lac.

LLE D AR E PAT RO RU NS WH ICH DE VE LO P AR E BLA CK ’RE LEF T TO ING YO U A EY NATU RID ES TH D. OO ME S, GIV E BU T NO T GR TH TH E CO ND ITI ON T WI TH TH WI TE RR AIN BU LY ‘ON -PI STE ’.

NATU RA LLY CK CO UN TRY NIC AL TA STE OF BA BE ING TE CH FO RE BE OF RE -UP HE CK SA FE TY BA MF OR TA BLE YO U’R E CO ER AF IEL D. MA KE SU RE ING FU RTH AB OU T GO TH INK ING

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

9

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

Jacky Arpin

Director and Ski Instructor, Heli-skiing specialist

HELI-SKIING

IER S O R A L

E

La Rosiere is the place to go for heli-skiing as it’s right on the border with Italy, where it’s legal. If you’re trying heli-skiing for the first time, Spring is the time to do it. The snow’s less powdery and in good conditions even upper intermediates can handle it as long as you’re confident on red and black slopes and have done a little off-piste. Some hire shops will allow you to swap to off-piste skis for a day.

ITALY FOR LUNCH

SNOWKITING

Head up the Roches Noires Express and take the blue Belette run down. Take the Fort lift and ski down the other side of the mountain by the red Bouquetin to the Bellecombe 1 drag lift.

La Rosiere is known for its winter snowkiting on top of the Col du Petit Saint Bernard, where it’s windy and flat. Evolution 2 can sort you out with 3-hour group sessions, beginner to expert level, every afternoon depending on weather conditions.

The easier option is to ski down to the bottom of the Piccolo San Bernardo Express where you’ll find the link to the San Bernardo red run (number 7) – a beautiful long run, suitable for all the family, down the summer road, all the way round the outside of the ski area and down through the trees to La Thuile.

Towards the end, those looking for a bigger challenge can veer off onto the black Franco Berthod run – the most difficult in the area, used in competitions and closest to the famous Face in Val d’Isere.

For a more challenging route, download the guide from our website (www.edgemag.net/skiguide).

BAD WEATHER Shelter in the trees on the red and black runs around the Ecudets lift. They’re quite difficult and a great challenge if you’re moving towards going off-piste – the snow’s deeper here as it’s slightly out of the sun.

Be warned, it’s easy to get lost in the trees if you veer off-piste here so don’t go alone - one of our instructors will be happy to guide you.

BEST PHOTO OP Centre Commercial Le Valaisan II La Rosière de Montvalezan Tel: 00 33 479 40 19 80 contact@evolution2larosiere.com www.evolution2larosiere.com Facebook : Evolution2.LaRosiere T @E 2

10

The Fort is an old World War II ruin which marks a stunning viewpoint over La Rosiere and across to Mont Blanc, accessible both on skis or walking for non-skiers. Take the Roches Noires Express then walk along the ridge, or from Les Eucherts walk parallel to the Lauzes run then go up the Fort Express chairlift.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

Colin Waeckel

Ski Instructor, Evolution 2 Sainte Foy Manager

OFF-PISTE

FOY E T N I SA

If you’ve come to Sainte Foy for the off-piste, you’ll want to conquer the famous Foglietta. Take the lifts up to the Col de l’Aguille and tour up to the stunning Pointe de la Foglietta – it’s an hour-long climb from 2620m to 2930m. Take in the silence and the view before enjoying the long run down the Vallon de Mercuel to La Masure, where you get the bus back to resort. If you want to avoid the hike, you can join the run part-way down from the top of the La Marquise chairlift. Alternatively, from the top of the Foglietta you can ski the Vallon du Clou on the other side, all the way into Monal – a beautiful little traditional village. It’s a fairly flat trek out and the whole run will take half a day.

DUMP ALERT Behind Foglietta you’ll find a huge wide area with lots of opportunity for fresh tracks – head straight there after a big snowfall. You can see Mont Blanc in front and ski down through a very pretty village, Le Crot, in the forest to Le Miroir (limited bus service back to resort).

BAD WEATHER FAMILIES

From the top of Grand Plan or higher up from L’Arpettaz lift go right or left for some really special on-piste tree runs, or veering off-piste slightly you can have fun finding different routes through the forest.

Sainte Foy has a much more peaceful atmosphere than the larger resorts. It’s about skiing together and families take their time without the worry of people tearing past you. The Plan Bois is a lovely long blue run through the trees and usually boasts a kids discovery run with fun wooden statues to look out for.

The Shaper’s Paradise is a less extreme version of a snowpark with natural bumps and jumps.

EASE INTO OFF-PISTE From the top of l’Aiguille chairlift go right or left for the Naturides.

BEST PHOTO OP From the top of l’Aiguille chairlift, at 2620m, you have stunning views of all the surrounding mountains.

IN SAINTE FOY-TARENTAISE

Grand Assaly 3173 m

Les Aiguilles Rouges 2806 m

Becca du Lac 3405 m

Petit Assaly 3147 m

Bec de L'Ane 3213 m

Pointe de la Foglietta 2930 m

Pointe de l'Archeboc 3272 m

Col du Mont 2636 m

contact@evolution2saintefoy.com Pointe des Mines T

3420 m www.evolution2saintefoy.com

Col de l'Aiguille 2620 m N

W

E

M ar qu ise

S

uel

· RESCUE 79 06 95 15

Natu

16

12

Vall

24

25

20

Natur’ Grand-Bois

Natur’ Shaper's Paradise

14

9

Lac du Clou 2373 m

Vallo nd

14

5

8

Gra nd Pla n

10

4

u

Dark stal r’ Cry Natu

z ta et rp L'A 4

19

11

u Clo

2

13

Chapelle St-Guérin

Planay-dessus

uille

Rocher de Pierre d'Arbine 2647 m

ig L'A

3

6

équipé

1

5

7 17

rion

r’Mo

La

erc

eM on d

1

Le Monal

15

L'Echaillon

Planay-dessous 18

La Masure

Retour Bataillettaz

Croix # L o v e TiLa g ne s La Tournaz

La Bataillettaz

23

22 21

#LoveValdis ere SAINTE-FOY

#L ov eL a R os i ere

HORAIRES DE FERMETURE

#(sous L oréserve v e S tdeFmodifications) oy

TSD Grand Plan TS Arpettaz

11

16h40/16h4 16h15/16h3

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

CHARTER A CHOPPER Try a helicopter return off-piste adventure with Evolution 2. Ski untracked slopes to otherwise inaccessible off-piste with their qualified instructor and, as the chopper lands to whisk you back to resort, you’ll feel a million dollars for just €99 (all safety equipment included).

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Evolution 2

GO OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Acquaint yourself with Tignes’ lesser-known town, Le Lavachet. Just hop on the circular shuttle that also goes through Le Lac and Val Claret, and get off before Brasero bar.

You’ll see another side to Tignes, hang out with the locals and get great value food and drinks.

For more details see p.40.

LET LOOSE Dance on the tables at Val d’Isere’s hottest new apres venue, Cocorico. The ski-in party terrace under the Solaise lift was so popular last year they’ve doubled its size and added another bar. Later, just move downstairs to superclub Doudoune and throw some shapes to the best international DJs - this season kicking off with Radio 1’s Danny Howard.

Your eyes do not deceive you the club has been completely redesigned around a gipsy circus/enchanted forest theme for this season.

See p.50 for more apres ideas.

Val d’Isere Tourist Office

DANCING ON ICE La Rosiere's indoor ice rink in Place des Eucherts has tiered seating, a sound system and lighting effects. Try your hand at skating or ice hockey, or leave it to the pros and catch the local team’s weekly matches - they’re quite a spectacle. Tignes’ ice rink also has a hockey pitch as well as a games area and fun zone.

Show your two to six-day liftpass and get free skate hire!

Both resorts offer ice disco evenings each week. Val d’Isere has a family-friendly ice rink in the centre open 7 days (weather dependant).

St Foy Tourist Office

CHIC BOUTIQUES Go shopping in Val d’Isere. The pretty main street has some chic boutiques and if it’s specialist ski gear you’re after, this resort has it all (see p.30).

Time your trip to coincide with Thursday’s Night Light events, when the village is lit up and transformed into a pedestrian-only zone full of family entertainment, music, magic, ice sculptors and concerts.

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

DISCOVER A NEW RESORT It’s less than an hour’s drive away, so why not spend a day in La Rosiere? It’s the sunniest resort and you can ski over the border into Italy for a pasta lunch. Next-door Sainte Foy offers a change of pace, the chance for fresh tracks and some tranquil off-piste tree skiing. You get discounted day passes in each when you present your 6-day Espace Killy or Paradiski ticket.

Read more about La Rosiere on p.60, and St Foy on p.58.

UNWIND YOUR MIND Don’t forget to take advantage of the fact that you get free entry to the Tignes’ La Lagon swimming pool, or the Centre Aquasportif in Val d’Isere with any two-day or longer Espace Killy ski pass! Treat yourself by upgrading to the Spa and let the sauna and jacuzzi unwind your mind.

Andy Parant

COME BACK IN SUMMER! Don’t leave without booking a return trip in summer; the Alps are an adventure playground all year round! Downhill bike trails criss-cross the pistes, and all the chairlifts are FREE for biking and hiking! Cycle the famous Tour de France route up the Col de l’Iseran. Hike to isolated mountain refuges.

Dive into activities around Tignes lake; water slide, blob jump, kayaking, paddle boarding, zorbing. Dare to climb Val d’Isere’s cliff-face Via Ferrata. You can even ski on the glacier. See p.70.

TRY SOMETHING NEW These mountains aren’t just for planks and boards. Push your limits and try a new adrenaline activity like bungee-skiing, paragliding, snow kiting or ice driving.

See p.66 for more ideas.

Andy Parant

Andy Parant

Andy Parant

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

13

British Ski and Snowboard

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

HERE’S A TASTER OF THE WORLD-CLASS EVENTS COMING TO TIGNES-VAL D’ISERE AND NEARBY THIS WINTER. FIND THE REST ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.EDGEMAG.NET/EVENTS. OUR ONLINE EVENTS GUIDE IS UPDATED DAILY WITH KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT, FROM THE BIGGEST COMPETITIONS TO THE SMALLEST BAR’S LIVE MUSIC NIGHT. WE CAN GUARANTEE THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON. CRITERIUM DE LA PREMIERE NEIGE - VAL D’ISERE The ski-racing season kicks off in style with the 60th edition of this World Cup event. Some of the fastest men and women on two skis compete in downhill events on the wickedly steep Face de Bellevarde and OK runs.

REDBULL LINECATCHER - TIGNES One of the most important freeski competitions in the world, last year held in Les Arcs, comes to Tignes. Top freeskiers battle to trace the purest lines and bust the most impressive jumps on an untracked slope with couloirs, cliffs and kickers.

FROSTGUN - VAL D’ISERE One of the most spectacular and prestigious Big Air events in Europe is back for the 11th year on the Face de Bellevarde. The afterparties are legendary too.

Val d’Isere Tourist Office

DISABLED SKI WORLD CUP - TIGNES Ninety athletes from 12 nations take part in giant slalom, downhill and super-combined events on the Val Claret slopes. Incredible to watch, this is not to be missed.

FREESKI PLAYOFFS - LA ROSIERE It’s the second year for this laid-back event – the aim of which is to put on the most spectacular show using the huge kicker built against the stunning backdrop of the Tarentaise valley.

Val d’Isere Tourist Office

DELANCEY BRITISH NATIONAL ALPINE SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS - TIGNES The biggest event on the British Alpine Ski Racing calendar comes to Tignes for a second year. Expect big name athletes like Dave Ryding, Alex Tilley, Charlie Guest and Cara Brown to raise the bar again in the downhill, super giant slalom, giant slalom and slalom.

14

WINTER GOLF - VAL D’ISERE Tee off on a specially-prepared 9-hole course in the snow-covered Manchet Valley. Just don’t bring white balls. Anyone can register to play in what is probably the most unusually-located golfing tournament.

YOGA FESTIVAL - VAL D’ISERE It’s the 4th year for this event dedicated to all things yoga. Feed mind, body and soul with workshops, organic cafes and exercise in beautiful mountain surroundings.

Val d’Isere Tourist Office

EUROPEAN SNOW PRIDE - TIGNES Europe’s biggest gay festival of winter sports, music and films has made its home in Tignes. It’s welcomed back in style with a rainbow-coloured parade.

La Rosiere

SFR FREESTYLE WORLD TOUR - TIGNES The best freestylers from around the globe compete for the most technical run in Tignes’ unique XXL superpipe. The tour is now part of the World Cup calendar.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Tired of yo u r Tired of your bank b ank taking a cu taking a cut?t? $!0$!.Ĺ?5+1Äš.!Ĺ?) '%*#Ĺ? Ĺ?+*!ÄĄ+""Ĺ?0. */"!.ÄŒĹ?/!00%*#Ĺ?1,Ĺ?.!#1( .Ĺ?, 5)!*0/ÄŒĹ?+.Ĺ? !)%#. 0%*#ÄŒĹ?3!Ĺ? +1( Ĺ?/ 2!Ĺ?5+1Ĺ?1,Ĺ?0+Ĺ?ĆńĹ?+*Ĺ?%*0!.* 0%+* (Ĺ?)+*!5Ĺ?0. */"!./Ĺ? +), .! Ĺ?0+Ĺ?1/%*#Ĺ?5+1.Ĺ? *'Ä‹ÄľĹ?

Let’s talk currency +ăă (0) ćĈ ĆĂĊĹ?ăĀĀąĹ? / )Ä‹$@currenciesdirect.comĹ? currenciesdirect.comÄĽ". * ! *Based on bank comparison exchange rate as at 03/11/15

flex

Flexible Financial Solutions for seasonal workers In today’s modern world, it is not uncommon for professionals

a unique set of Flexible Financial Solutions. Email us on

Talk to us, we understand your lifestyle and we will put your mind at ease.

BANKING Accounts

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

INVESTMENT ADVICE

INSURANCE

Preferred rates on your currency exchange

Multi-territory Financial Advice and Flexible Investments

Keeping you healthy wherever you are

WWW.MY-HORIZONSFLEX.COM |

#L o v e Ti g n e s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

15

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

W I T H A H OLLYWO O D MOVIE ABO UT H I S L I FE D U E T O B E RELEAS ED IN 2016 - S TAR R I NG H U G H JACKM AN NO LES S - ANNA THO MPS O N G R I L L S B RITAIN’S MOST INFAMOUS S K I J U M P E R, ED D IE THE EAGLE, ON WINN I N G B I G F R OM SP ECTACULARLY LOSING.

Gag

e_Sk

id m o

re Media-Saturn-Holding

Let’s be honest, Great Britain has lagged behind the rest of Europe when it comes to winter sport success.

International achievements are rare, which is why skier Konrad Bartelski’s second place at the Val Gardena World Cup downhill in 1981 led a French TV commentator to blurt out: “It’s not possible, it’s an Englishman!”

The wait for a British Olympic medal on snow only ended in 2014, with Jenny Jones’ triumphant snowboard S

We love to celebrate a winner – but we take to our hearts a fearless trier too.

And none more so than one British competitor – Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards – who captured worldwide attention for finishing last twice at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Eddie, Britain’s first ever Olympic ski jumper, didn’t exactly look like your typical athlete as he competed wearing his milk bottle glasses. However, he endeared himself to the public with his plucky underdog spirit, finishing 58th out of 58 competitors in both the small and large hill events in 1988. It didn’t matter he was jumping half the

16

distance the medalists were achieving it was Eddie the crowds were going wild for.

the Olympic spirit. I was this tiny David of a country against the Goliath nations of ski jumping.”

“They had 89,500 people at the ski jump which is the biggest crowd they’ve ever had at a live sporting event in Canada – before or since,” Eddie reminisces. “They were chanting ‘Eddie, Eddie’ about four jumpers before I was due to go - it was a lovely atmosphere. I was quite nervous but I was going to do the best I possibly could for myself and my country.”

Spectators watched with genuine concern that Eddie would injure himself, after strong winds meant the ski jumping was delayed for two days.

The event director even asked for him to withdraw due to the conditions.

At the closing ceremony Eddie’s “achievements” were singled out by organising committee president Frank King, who said: "At these Games, some competitors have won gold, some have broken records, and some of you have even soared like an eagle.” He subsequently became an overnight sensation and appeared on TV chat shows around the world.

Eddie revelled in his new-found celebrity status as he was flown first-class to Los Angeles for the Johnny Carson show, where he was interviewed alongside film star Burt Reynolds

“It didn’t matter to me whether I fell over or not but there were people watching around the world thinking ‘this may be good, he might break his neck’, Eddie says. “I actually broke the British record, 71 metres, which was nice because I knew I wouldn’t beat anybody else on the day. I was going to enjoy every second of it and I think people liked the fact I was exemplifying

But not everyone was enamoured with ‘the Eagle’. He was criticised for making a mockery of the sport and in 1990 the International Olympic Committee brought in a rule, which effectively made it nearly impossible for anyone to follow his example. It stated that Olympic hopefuls had to finish in the top 30%, or the top 50 competitors, in qualifiers.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

I T D I D N ’ T M ATTE R TO M E WHE T H E R I F E LL OVE R OR N OT B U T TH ER E WE R E PEOP L E WAT CHIN G AR OUN D T H E W OR L D THIN KIN G ‘ T H I S M AY B E G OOD , HE M I G H T B RE AK HIS N E CK’

Alp Leisure ltd

EDDIE IN NUMBERS

89,500: Record-breaking Olympic crowd 10,000: Eddie’s post-Olympics earnings per hour in £s 69.5: Qualifying Calgary jump in metres 119.5: Personal best jump in metres Alp Leisure ltd

“All I wanted to do was to create a bit of attention, turn that into sponsorship and then carry on for the 1994, 1998 and 2002 Olympics and get better at ski jumping,” says Eddie. “Unfortunately, I became too popular in Calgary to the extent I got more attention than the guy who won the event. People in officialdom hated it, saying I was bringing the sport into disrepute. My wings were clipped and that was it. I was never able to compete at that level again. It was quite ironic, because I became so popular for exemplifying the Olympic spirit and then I go and get banned because of it.”

In between working as a plasterer and completing a law degree, Eddie has made a career out of being ‘the Eagle’ and is still in demand for after-dinner speeches, motivational speaking and TV appearances. He won ITV celebrity diving competition Splash! and was victorious in BBC slapstick assault course show Winter Wipeout. He reached the final of Let’s Dance for Sport Relief and returned to his ski jumping roots with Channel 4’s The Jump.

# L o v e Ti g ne s

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Calgary Games in 2008, Eddie headed back to Canada to a hero’s welcome and two years later he was a torchbearer ahead of the Vancouver Olympics.

And more than a quarter of a century since his hapless ski jumping attempts, a film called Eddie The Eagle is due to be released in the spring of 2016.

Eddie rubbed shoulders with Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, who plays

actor Taron Egerton while they were filming in the German ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Eddie says: “I signed a deal with a production company in Los Angeles about 18 years ago to make a movie about my life, but it’s taken this long to all come to fruition. There’s an awful lot of poetic licence in the film and I’ve not had a lot to do with it, but I’ll be happy if they get the essence of my story right. It was great to meet Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton while they were filming and I have watched a five minute trailer which looks fantastic.”

#LoveValdis ere

The film’s been touted as “one of the biggest British movies for many years” and production company Marv Films believes its “portrayal of Edwards’ never-say-die approach to the sport celebrates the human spirit and resilience in the face of extraordinary odds and challenges”. Producer Matthew Vaughn even said: “Eddie the Eagle is the feel-good inspirational movie the world needs now more than ever.”

It’s all a far cry from his teenage years in Gloucestershire, when he got hooked on skiing on a school trip to Andalo in the Italian Dolomites. “I absolutely loved it and when I returned I went to GloucesS

skiing had taken over my whole life. It was all I thought about, talked about and dreamt about,” he says.

Eddie left school and went to work as a ski instructor and race mechanic in Italy while improving his own alpine racing.

He secured an international race licence and competed for Great Britain, just missing out on qualifying as a downhill racer for the 1984 Games in Sarajevo.

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

17

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

He spent his summers training on the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes and has fond memories of the resort. “I remember it was lovely and warm in the village and I’d go running around the lake and play tennis, but in the mornings I would be top of the glacier skiing away. It was fantastic snow at the top.”

It was when he fell on hard times while skiing in America that he was inspired to take up jumping. “I went to America to race but I ran out of money. I saw the ski jump in Lake Placid and thought ‘Britain has had alpine skiers, cross-country skiers and biathletes but never a ski jumper’ and I thought I’d give it a go. I always used to jump over my friends on alpine skis. When I was working in Italy, I used to line up my group then jump over them. I jumped over piste bashers and all sorts – I was very comfortable with jumping through the air. All I needed to do was get used to the equipment, which was much different to alpine, and that was the most difficult part.”

There were no ski jumps in Britain but Eddie was on a mission to qualify for the 1988 Games and took a variety of jobs to fund his dream as he competed around Europe. He even lived in a mental hospital in Finland because he was only charged £1 a night. He was set a target of 70 metres by the British Ski Federation and was accepted by the British Olympic Association after jumping 69.5 metres in a World Cup in St Moritz, Switzerland. “A lot of people think I went on a wildcard like Eric the Eel or the Snow Leopard but they didn’t have a system like that in the 1980s. I earned my right to go,” he says.

Eddie

Although Eddie never qualified for another Olympics, he did continue jumping for a number of years. “My personal best is 119.5 metres which is quite respectable. I would have loved to have carried on and shown the world what Eddie Edwards and Great Britain could produce,” says Eddie.

Now 52, Eddie is teaching his two daughters to ski. “I still ski at Gloucester and I’m still just as excited when I put a pair of skis on now as when I was first starting out at the age of 13.”

He may not have become an Olympic champion – but how many ski jumpers from the Calgary Games can you name?

For the record, Finland’s Matti Nykanen won double gold to confirm his status as one of the all-time great ski jumpers.

M e d ia

-S a t u

r n -H o

ld in g

But Eddie deserves his place in Winter Olympic folklore too: “Getting to those Olympic Games was my gold medal and I got there against all the odds.”

TIMELINE

18

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

VA L D ’ I S E R E

Va l D ’I s e

re To u r is t

O ff ic

VA L D ’ISE R E IS A N A NC IE NT C O MMU NI TY – I T S C ENT RA L C HU RC H DAT ES BA C K T O T H E 11TH CENT U RY. SINC E IT OPENED A S A SKI RE SORT I N 1932 IT ’S GRO WN IN SIZ E, W HILE KEEPI NG I TS RU RA L C HA RA C T ER A ND T RA DIT IONA L V I L L A GE S TYLE. BU T DO N’T LET T HAT C HA RMING FA Ç A DE FO OL YOU . T HIS IS A C O NSTA NT LY- EV OLV I NG R ESORT T HAT ’S EMBRA C ING T EC HNO LO GY A ND, IN FA C T, LEA DING T HE C HA RGE T O MODE R NI SE .

e

THE SNOW FACTORY Pumping out enough man-made snow to fill Wembly Stadium to a depth of half a metre in an hour, Val d’Isere’s new underground snow factory is the biggest of its kind in Europe. Already one of the most snow-sure resorts, this impressive facility at the foot of the Olympique is its insurance policy.

The 650 snow cannons you see on the hill are just a small part of the operation.

They’re linked, via 13 substations across the mountain, to factory mission control.

Water from the local Isere river is fed to an underground reservoir, then through a massive filtering and distribution system with a complex array of tanks and pumps.

Two Range Rover-sized units supply the other all-important ingredient in snow-making - pressurised air – and the result is pure snow with no chemicals needed.

The facility cost €3million – but being able to produce enough extra snow to cover the whole Bellevarde mountain in a week is priceless to the resort and to holidaymakers. However, even this state-of-the-art factory can’t work miracles - the machines need air temperatures of less than -4°C to pump out quality snow. Last year, early December was too unseasonably warm for them to work and the Premiere Neige – the first ski race of the season – had to be moved to Sweden. But, as a much colder winter is on the cards this year, with a little help from the Snow Factory we’re expecting a good base layer and well-groomed pistes right from lifts opening on 28 November to closing on 1 May.

20

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLAISE It’s been talked about for years, but this winter you can finally see first stage of a €16m two-year project to completely redevelop the top of the Solaise.

Bulldozers shifted a million tonnes of earth to re-shape the summit at 2500m. The slope gradient has been reduced from 16% to 7% and a giant covered magic carpet has replaced the old Terrasse drag lift to give beginners a safe and secluded area.

On the far side, two more covered conveyors will eventually replace the short queue-prone Le Lac chairlift that brought you to the summit.

Next winter we can’t wait to experience the next generation in ski lifts – a new 10-person gondola with 91 cabins replaces the Solaise Express quad chairlift and cable car. Each will have heated seats and Wifi which, to everyone used to freezing on exposed lifts while trying to find some mobile signal to organize group meet-ups, will sound like the height of luxury.

It will also speed up queuing times by 40%, carrying up to 3,600 passengers per hour to the summit in just 7 minutes.

All these lifts will take you to a new lodge containing a cafe, picnic area, sun terrace and toilets. The building will be glass-walled so you can enjoy panoramic views (except for the toilets, we hope).

SEE THE SNOW FACTORY AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE LIFT OPERATIONS ON ONE OF THE MONTHLY PUBLIC TOURS ON OFFER THROUGHOUT WINTER. VAL D’ISERE ALSO RUN PUBLIC TOURS OF AVALANCHE SAFETY MACHINERY, RESCUE POSTS AND MORE. CHECK OUR EVENTS GUIDE (WWW.EDGEMAG.NET/EVENTS) FOR DETAILS.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

i VAL D’ISERE’S WIDEST ACCOMMODATION SELECTION

200 Chalet Holidays | 300 Self Catered Apartments 30 Hotels | Fully Bonded Very Experienced | Here To Help

0345 021 0222 OVERSEAS CONTACT:

0033 (0)6 34 40 90 97

SIMPLYVALDISERE.COM

••••••• ••

••• •'••••• ••G••• •• ••'• • G•••• •••• •••'•• •••••, •••• •••• •• •••••••, •••••• B•• •• ••• ••••• •• B•.

W••• • •••• •• •••• ••••• ••••••G •••••••• •••••G ••••• •••, •••••W•• B• •••, •••Z• ••• ••••• ••• ••G•••, ••• •••••• B•• •••W• •• •••••••• •••W• •••• •••-•••••••••, ••G•• •••••G• ••••• ••• ••••• ••••• •• ••• ••••••G. ••'• •••••B!!!

• •••••••• ••••••••••••• ••••• • ••••••• •• ••••••••• • •••• ••••• ••• ••••• • ••••• ••••• ••••••• • ••••• •••••

••• B•GG••• ••• B••G••••• B•• •• ••W•! # L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

21

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

W I T H OVER 3 5 , 0 0 0 VEHI CLES TR AVELLI N G I N A N D OUT O F THE TA R ENTAISE ON A BUSY SATURDAY - OFTEN IN DRIVING SNOW MAK I N G SU R E EVERY ON E A R R I VES A S SM OOTHLY A N D SAFE LY AS P OSSI B LE I S A TOP PR I OR I TY. L AS T Y EA R THE TA R EN TA I SE HI T THE HEA DLI N ES DU RING C H R I STM A S/N EW Y EA R WHEN CHA N GEOVER DAY WENT W R O N G. A SU DDEN SN OWFA LL, LA R GER THEN U SU A L TRAFFIC VO L U M E A N D SEVER A L A CCI DEN TS TOOK THE A U THORITIE S O F F - GU A R D. THE M A I N R OA D TO ESPA CE K I LLY R ESORTS GR O UN D TO A HA LT LEAVI N G A R OU N D 2 9 , 0 0 0 VEHI CLE S S T R A N DED, THOU SA N DS STU CK AT A I R PORTS OVER N IG HT AND H O T E LS F U LL TO B U R STI N G POI N T PR OVI DI N G EM ER G E NC Y S H E LTER .

H AP PEN A GA I N ? A N D HOW CA N WE A LL PLAY OU R PART IN GE T TI N G EVERY ON E TO R ESORT A N D ON THE SLOPES O N TIME ?

S N O W CHA I N S One of the major problems last year was motorists blocking the road as they stopped to fit snow chains. Heed this advice from Tignes resort officials: “Snow doesn't fall on the pistes only, unfortunately.

The sun may be shining on your arrival but it might be snowing when you leave resort. Don't forget your snow chains and make sure they are easy to access.

Try to stop on the snow chains areas only to make sure you do not interfere with the traffic. In bad weather, snow chains or snow tyres are compulsory and police will stop you driving up to resorts if you don’t have them.”

F LE XIB L E T R AVE L Try to avoid the busiest Saturdays of the season – around Christmas, New Year and the French school holidays in February.

Some useful advice from Cool Bus: “If you are absolutely unable to avoid travelling on a Saturday, then you can still time your journeys to miss the bulk of the traffic. Generally, if you can get into the valley before midday that can help matters a lot. If you’re driving out from the UK, this might mean setting off on Friday evening and stopping en-route - but on the

plus side you will arrive in resort early with loads of time to pick up hire skis, do some shopping and have a good night’s sleep ahead of your first days skiing!

On your way home we suggest leaving resort no later than 7am. It might not sound great having to get your car packed up in the dark, but it is vastly preferable to spending four hours queuing though the first 50 miles of your journey! Alternatively, ski all day and set off in the late afternoon/evening. If you’re travelling all the way to the UK it might mean you need to have an overnight stop en-route but you can sleep in your hotel bed feeling pretty smug that you just squeezed an extra days’ skiing out of your holiday!”

If you travel on Sundays instead, you can have the roads almost to yourself. Look out for a holiday deal that’s flexible on days - this can have multiple benefits as Ski Bonjour, who offer Sunday-Sunday packages at their chalets in Tignes and Val d’Isere, explain: “Not only does it help reduce the chance of being caught up in heavy traffic - not a single Ski Bonjour guest missed a flight due to the chaos - but you can also take advantage of skiing the resort on the Saturday when everyone else is busy leaving and arriving.” For advice on other hotels/chalets that offer flexible days, contact accommodation specialists Simply Val d’Isere (www.simplyvaldisere.com).

THERE WE ALL WERE MOANING ABOUT THE LACK OF SNOW AND THEN IT CAME, SEEMINGLY IN A MATTER OF MINUTES… AT AROUND 3.30AM ON SATURDAY MORNING DRIVERS WERE SETTING OUT TO WORK FROM BOURG SAINT MAURICE UP TO NEARBY RESORTS, SNOW-FREE ROADS ALL THE WAY, ONLY TO BE MET BY CARNAGE ON THE .

NEVER EXPERIENCED ROADS LIKE IT. - Cool Bus owner Rob Forbes

22

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

ROA D IM P R O V E ME N T S We can all look forward to spending less time queuing to get up the mountain as Tarentaise officials have committed to investing €300m over the next 12 years in routes in and out of resorts.

SOCIA L M E DIA All resorts are improving the way they use social media to get messages out to drivers quickly – so make sure you check their Facebook and Twitter pages. Tignes has set up a dedicated ‘Traffic Info’ page on its website (www.tignes.net). Traffic officials have set up local command posts that will be able to relay information from the roads more quickly and accurately to people in resorts.

LOCAL KN O W L E D GE The local knowledge of experienced transfer drivers can be crucial in getting you out of a jam. Whiterides’ Dan Barnett says: "With our local knowledge of the area and a few shortcuts our drivers know, in last year’s jams we managed to get past a lot of the traffic and get all of our clients to their destinations."

BU S S ER V I CES There are now lots of new, convenient bus services available, so it makes sense to book on these instead of adding to the changeover day road clog. Ben’s Bus has this year launched extra services from Lyon and Chambery airports, plus they’re adding to their usual Geneva and Grenoble routes AND operate on Fridays and Sundays too. So you can take advantage of a whole range of cheap flight offers, then get a connecting bus ticket from £21 one-way.

Simply Transfers offer regular shared transfers, which are perfect for individuals or small groups going from Geneva airport to any Tarentaise resort (€59 one-way). They operate all weekend, with limited options on Fridays.

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

23

O

IVE

ESSENT I

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

RECOMMENDED TRANSFER COMPANIES BEN’S BUS Scheduled bus services from all four nearby airports, perfect for individual travellers and small groups. www.bensbus.co.uk COOL BUS Year-round service with friendly, knowledgable and reliable drivers. +44(0)207 183 4886 +33(0)6 32 19 29 62 www.thecoolbus.co.uk office@thecoolbus.co.uk WHITERIDES Off-peak discounts. Operates year-round.

24/7 friendly service, free child seats and ski carriage. +44(0)208 816 8559 +33(0)6 39 94 16 25 www.whiterides.co.uk info@whiterides.co.uk

C HECK YO U R V E HICL E

MOUNTAIN RESCUE Every 8th place is free! Reduced prices for off-peak days and a text reminder when you’re due to be picked up. +44(0)203 287 4588 +33(0)9 77 21 77 66 www.themountainrescue.com info@themountainrescue.com

Here are Mountain Rescue’s tips for keeping your vehicle moving in extreme temperatures: break pads and make sure your antifreeze is topped up. some jump leads just in case.

GREEN RIDES Flexible low-cost airport transfers including mid-week days. +44 (0) 203 286 2218 booking@green-rides.com www.french-alps-airport-transfers.co.uk

G chains and bring a knee mat and head torch. plenty of -40 fluid and your windscreen itself super clean inside and out. Leave your wiper blades up at night to avoid them sticking to the windscreen.

1ST LIFTS Low cost private transfers with a friendly service. Supermarket stops on request.

Free ski carriage and child facilities. +44 (0)7929 726 475 +33(0)6 98 21 59 78 www.1st-lifts.com info@1st-lifts.com

some de-icer handy.

KNOW THE LAW DOCUMENTS - PASSPORT, IVING I EN E OT E TI I TE V OG OO INS N E

A HI-VIS JACKET ONE O E PASSENGER)

BEAM DEFLECTORS ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS

WARNING TRIANGLE

GB STICKER

24

SPARE BULBS

BREATHALYSER

SNOWDRONE ‘Luxury yet affordable’ private transfers with onboard iPad entertainment, Wifi, headphones, phone chargers, neck pillows and bottled water. +33(0)9 77 19 99 78 +44(0)203 239 4978 www.snow-drone.com info@snow-drone.com SIMPLY TRANSFERS Shared transfers from Geneva airport, plus private transfers in a huge range of vehicles seating 8 to 60 from local airports or stations. +33(0)4 79 55 56 28 www.simply-transfers.net simply-transfers@loyet.com

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

bensbus.com LOW COST SKI TRANSFERS

DIRECT SKI TRANSFERS FROM...

GENEVA AIRPORT GRENOBLE AIRPORT LYON AIRPORT CHAMBERY AIRPORT to Tignes, Val d’Isere, St Foy & more Prices start from £37per person SPACES ARE LIMITED SO IT IS ADVISABLE TO BOOK EARLY FRIDAY: A Friday Service operates from Lyon Airport only, throughout the ski season.

SATURDAY: A regular service operates from all airports on all Saturdays throughout the ski season.

SUNDAY: A Sunday service operates from all airports on all Sundays throughout the ski season.

Outstanding & Affordable catered chalets in Tignes & Val d’Isere

Enjoy the high quality service of a top hotel with the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of a family home

Email : ski@skibonjour.com Tel : +44 1765 677787

www.skibonjour.com

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

25

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

E D I GL

T HE F IRST SHO P DEDIC ATE D PU RELY T O SKI T U NING HA S SET U P IN T IGNES T HIS WINT ER. WE GET T HE LO W DO WN ON T HIS LIT T LE- KNO W N A RT F RO M GRAV IT Y LAB O W NE R FLO RENT C ARREYRO N A ND PIC K U P SO ME HA NDY TIP S F O R KEEPING O U R SKIS A ND BO A RDS IN T O P C O NDITION.

FIRST QUESTION, WHY SHOULD YOU GET YOUR SKIS TUNED?

WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR TUNING?

To maintain your skis in good condition and use 100% of their performance on the snow. If you keep riding on skis damaged with gouges, cracked sidewalls or worn edges, it can get worse and even become dangerous. Water can get inside the core causing the ski to delaminate and start falling apart.

It’s essential to always maintain your equipment as this will increase durability and provide performance and fun!

THERE ARE FOUR IMPORTANT STAGES:

OK, SO HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR SKIS NEED TUNING? It depends on how much you’re riding, the weather conditions and where you store them when off the hill. I recommend you ‘hot wax’ skis regularly; it's usually not too expensive and this will improve the glide. The more you wax, the faster you ride.

Don’t wait for the rust to come - that will decrease the ‘ski life’. Keeping your ski or snowboard edges sharp will assure you good grip on hard packed snow and make sure you stop quickly when needed, preventing accidents. It will also help with linking turns together smoothly and not having ‘catchy’ skis.

26

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

- BASE GRIND When out of the factory press, skis or snowboards are not usually perfectly flat with right base/side edge angles. They are usually way too sharp on tips and tails, causing that catchy feeling and making it hard to turn. Also, factory wax or some glue residues can be left over, which won’t help you glide nicely. That’s why I recommend grinding your skis flat and making sure the edges are the proper angles.

We use a stone base grinder because it takes off less material compared to a basic belt grinder. We program the machine to grind various lines and patterns into the ski depending on snow, weather T glide over the snow – otherwise your skis can act like suction cups on the snow and you feel stuck to the piste. When the base is damaged with scratches or deep gauges we use a polyethylene material

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

- EDGING To allow you to link turns properly and keep a grip on hard packed snow it’s critical to keep the edges sharp. Now your ski base is flat, the base of the edge needs to be less than a degree off to allow you to turn nicely. The angle on the side edging depends on your type and level of riding but is usually between 87 degrees for racers and 89-90 degrees for everybody else. This process is usually only possible with specific machinery but can be done by hand with real care, skills and the right tools.

- DE-TUNING When your skis are off the machines and finally on the workbench, it's time to make sure the edges are not too sharp, especially on tip and tail. Using specific diamond stone and gummy stone, any ‘catchy’ bits are taken away to get a smooth aspect and the base is cleaned off before waxing.

- HOT WAXING A hot wax completes the process. I recommend leaving the wax on the skis when you store them away at the end of the season. This will keep a good protection on the base, feed it and prevent the skis from drying out. It’s important to store the skis in a shady, dry and cool place. Preferably, lay them flat – treat them like French wine bottles!

Using an iron specifically designed for the ski’s shape, a thin layer of wax is applied by heating up the base and the wax block. The base is mostly composed of polyethylene and when heated the pores of this material open up and absorb the wax.

When it has cooled down the excess of wax is scraped off and the base is brushed to get a nice polished aspect.

NOW IT’S TIME TO

IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO AT HOME TO LOOK AFTER OUR SKIS? If you have the skills and the basic tools, you can wax and sharpen your skis at home. Using liquid wax tubes or powder will have a temporary effect, but only a hot wax can do a real job. Unfortunately, a base grind will require some expensive machinery and serious skills!

TELL US ABOUT THE SKI TUNING SERVICE YOU OFFER? During 12 years in the ski industry living in both France and Canada, I’ve managed a few shops, including a specific ski tuning shop Profile Ski & Snowboard Services in Whistler, where I learned most of my skills. I was riding powder during the day and looking after people skis at night - not a bad life!

I had the idea that I’d bring this concept back to France.

We are a specific ski and snowboard workshop where tuning is our only activity - no rentals or ski equipment for sale - we are technicians! We offer all types of service from regular to custom tune and specific race preparation. We like to discuss with our customers their specific requirements to match their style.

Working with hotels, shops and ski schools in Tignes, we pick up skis at the end of the day, tune overnight and deliver them back in the morning.

Our shop is open for people to come in and see what really happens when skis get tuned. We’re there non-stop during the winter from mid-afternoon until late. Outside of these hours… sorry, we’re busy skiing!

Find the Gravity Lab shop on Rue de la Poste, opposite the Post Office.

Call: +33(0)4 79 00 58 84 A full list of partner shops/hotels/ski schools is available on the website. www.gravitylab-tignes.fr Check www.facebok.com/gravitylabtignes for details of ski tuning demonstrations.

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

27

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

LIVE POW THE D E R DR

EAM

MAKING THE LEAP FROM DECENT PISTE SKIER TO CONFIDENT ALL-MOUNTAIN EXPLORER IS OFTEN TOUGH – BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE. SNOWORKS SKI COURSES HAVE SPECIALLY-DEVELOPED PROGRAMMES TO HELP YOU BREAK OUT OF THE ‘INTERMEDIATE PLATEAU’ - OR EVEN AVOID IT ALTOGETHER! INSTRUCTOR PHIL SMITH EXPLAINS HOW…

d up fresh snow

erson skiing choppe

Emma Carrick-And .co.uk

www.dynamicpictures

As inevitable as catching a cold, the dreaded ‘intermediate plateau’ is something most skiers resign themselves to getting at some point.

You’ve picked up skiing pretty quickly, progressing from greens to well-pisted reds. Then along come the blacks.

Bumps begin to appear, ice forms. Runs become steeper, narrow or awkward. Suddenly, the very specific movements you’ve been taught - plant your pole, stand up, sink down, face down the hill, weight on the outside ski – are hampered by unexpected obstacles.

Do any of these statements ring true :

If so, it's time to change your perception of how to move forward in your skiing. The terrain isn’t going to adjust itself to fit in with your manoeuvres – it’s the way you move on the mountain that has to change. Once it has, you’ll be skiing more of the mountain and having more fun than you ever thought possible.

Imagine you’re weaving through a crowded bar carrying a tray of drinks. To accurately describe every spontaneous twist and dip, and copy them, is impossible. The probability of exactly the same set of movements happening again is like winning the lottery twice. The variables are infinite, just like the mountain.

Instead of using a set of specific manoeuvres, you need to develop a varied set of skills that you can adapt to any situation the conditions throw at you.

28

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

The ability to ‘twist’ your skis is essential anywhere that space is restricted or where you need to ski slowly. To get the idea just stand on a tiled floor in your socks and ‘do the twist’ (just like the dance move), practicing getting faster and slower. Now imagine doing this with your skis on and you’ll get the idea. It’s exactly the same as using the handlebars on your bicycle. If you’ve never tried twisting your skis, steep and narrow runs will always present a problem.

Phil S mith

'twisti

ng' his skis o n stee p

Imagine how your bicycle brakes work; two surfaces – the brake pads and wheel rim – creating friction to slow you down. It’s the same with skiing. Pushing the snow sideways by pushing with your ski edges (or the base of your skis if you’re in powder) creates a braking action. The more snow you push, the slower you go. It’s that simple – and doing this you’ll gain more control than you ever thought possible. Use pushing in soft, powdery, stubborn or deep snow that’s difficult to ‘twist’ in. The dream of skiing powder will become reality and Spring slush will present little or no problem.

er terr ain

ushin uinn 'p Nick Q

sidewa p snow g' dee

ys

This is the same as leaning your bicycle inwards as you go around a corner. You need to learn to lean or tilt your skis onto their edges as you turn and vary the amount of edge you use according to the conditions. Just like on a bike, the faster you’re travelling the more edging you need to turn.

Using the wrong amount of edge for your speed when you change direction will result in your skis shooting ahead of you, or sliding too far sideways, and you lose control.

Lee To wne

nd usin g

approp riate a for That’s the easy part; once you’ve mastered each skill you have to learn to mix and match them mounts of 'edg ing' different conditions.

. . .

With practice this blending of skills will become completely natural, just like riding a bicycle or running through a crowded bar. All you’ll need to do is concentrate on where you’re going and how fast you want to go – giving you time to enjoy the experience, the mountain and the scenery.

To see Snoworks’ full range of courses visit -

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

.

.

#LoveStFoy

29

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

Va l d’Is ere Touris t O ff i c e

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

VA L D ’ I S E RE ’S PRE T T Y VI L L AG E STREE TS ARE A SHOPPER ’S PAR ADISE. WH E TH E R YOU’ RE T I C KI NG O F F YOUR D R E AM K IT LIST, OR SEAR C HING C HIC BO U TIQU E S FO R SOME THING SPEC IAL, VAL D ’ISE RE HAS IT ALL. TIME IT SO YOU E X PE RIENC E THE RESOR T ON A T H U RSDAY E VENING; THE CENTRE IS C LO S E D TO TR AFFIC AND FAMILY ENTER TAIN ME N T SPILLS OUT ONTO THE STREE TS WITH MUSIC , MAGIC , SPEC TAC UL AR L IG H T SHO WS AND IC E SC ULPTO RS. COMBIN E ALL THIS WITH REGULAR RE FU E L IN G STO PS AT THE WARM, WE LCOMIN G BO ULANGERIES AND BAR S, AN D A SHOP-FR ONT SAUNTE R IS AN AC TIVIT Y FOR E VERYONE. H ERE’S A SELEC TIO N OF OUR MUST-STO P SH OPS.

PATAG O N I A Th is s e as o n , Pat a go n i a pre s e nts a com preh e nsi ve s ys te m o f baselayer, oute r we a r a n d pa ck s fo r t hose who go d e e p i nto th e mou ntains und e r t he i r ow n powe r.

E ac h piece i n t he i r B a c k co u ntr y Tour in g col l ec ti on i s de s i gn e d spec ifi c al l y to a d d re ss th e n e e d s o f self- suppor te d w i nte r ba ck co u ntr y t ravel, ba l a nc i ng c r i t i c a l protec tion w i t h b re at h a b i l i t y a n d to t al free do m o f m ove me nt.

Fo r yo ur tour i ng a d ventu re, pa i r t he n ew R e f ugi t i ve J a c k e t w i th th e K nifeR idge Pa nts for a li ght, ve r s at i le k i t w i t h st re a m l i n e d per for mance a nd p rote c ti o n .

Th e y ’re b u i l t w i t h 3 -l ayer GORE -TEX ® f a b r i c w i t h G O RE ® C-KN IT™ ba c ke r te c hnol o g y fo r th e o ptimal ba l a nce of st re tch a n d l ight weight, i n a n Al p i n e R e g u l a r fit th at ’s j ust r i ght for cl i m b i n g o r sk iin g. We a l so re com m e n d th e i r S nowdr if te r 30L b a c k p ack . Fi n d t heir store s:

Pat ag on ia - Va l d' I sere K illy Spor ts - Va l d ’I sere Plan e t 0 - 1 6 - Va l d ’ I sere Ta rentaise Tour - S a i nte Foy Twinn er Proshop - Pe i se y Va l l a n d r y

30

SNOWBERRY

I f yo u’re i n sp i re d by t h e o u t fi t s yo u s e e o n the c at walk st reet s o f Val d ’ Is ere, t ak e h o m e a p i e ce o f Fre n c h s t yle with clo thing and a cce s s o r ies f ro m B erenice.

You’ll find mountain hats, chic je we l l e r y, b elt s, sc ar ves and b ags a l o n g s i d e go rgeo us jum p er s and ca rd i g a n s wit h t heir co o l signat ure a n g e l w i n g and ani m al desi gns, a n d z i p m o t i fs.

I f yo u want to t r y t h e latest k it, test some specialist sk is on a day o f to ur i ng o r get yo ur g ea r fitted by ex p er ts, Snowb er r y in Val d ’ I se re i s t h e sk i h i re shop for you.

They ’ve b een vo ted B est Sk i Shop I n Eu ro p e, m ai n ly fo r their k nowledgab le ser vice and qualit y boot fi t t i ng. They sto c k over 1 2 0 models o f b rand new 2016 sk i s s u itable for all levels and di sc i p li nes, a ll p ro p er ly ser vi ced af ter ever y o ut i ng. I f yo u’re no t happy with t he fi r st p ai r, c hange t hem as many t im es as yo u need to. Their s tore at R o nd Po int des Pistes i s a ls o th e b ase fo r Evo lut io n 2 Va l d ’I s ere s o you can book your sk i les s ons, tours, tr ips and other outdoor ac t ivi t ies at t he sam e time.

Fi n d t h e m at To ur ist O ffice S quare. + 3 3 (0 )4 79 55 66 92

w w w.snowb er r y-valdise re.com + 33( 0) 4 79 41 10 61

BEREN ICE

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Va l d’Is ere Touri s t O ff i c e

MO U N TA I N P RO S HO P MARGH ERIO

The s e g u ys a re sp e c i a l i s ts i n tech n ica l c l o t hi ng, s a fe t y eq uipme nt, b a c kcount r y s k i i n g, hik in g an d f re e r i d e ge a r. Th e s h o p is h ome to top b ra nd s l i k e H e s tra , B lac k Crows, M a r mot, O r tovox , R a b, Zag, Nor rona , S cott, Swe e t Protec tio n , Ato m i c a n d D y n a s t a r.

Pl us t h e Va l d ’ I se re B u re a u d e s G u ides have t he i r b a se i n - s to re s o yo u c a n ge t ex p e r t a dv i ce, b o o k g u ided off -p i ste t r i p s, s k i to u r i n g, heli-sk iing, i ce c l i mb i ng, s n owsh oe i ng, A N D b uy a l l yo u r k i t in on e fe l l swoop.

Fi n d t h em on Ol ymp i qu e Ave n u e, b e t ween La Cave a nd B a r X V.

The fur b o o ts that ador n the feet o f t he Val d ’Isere f ashion conscious are not a new trend.

They were first design ed back in t he 1960s by Fi r m i n M arg her io and m ade in a wo r ksho p u nder Val d ’ I se re’s sh o p o f t h e sam e na m e, o n R ue Pr inc ip ale.

This is a fam ily- run store steeped in fo o t f ashi o n histo r y a nd it ’s s till t he p lace to go fo r all k inds of fo o t wear, as well as c lothing and accesso r i es. B rands you’ll find here inc lude Panam a J ac k , Para boot, S e rafi n i , I K K I I , Palladi u m , B lac ksto ne, Shar ks and more.

w w w. mo u nta i np ros hop. co m valpro sh o p @ gm a i l. com +3 3( 0) 4 7 9 06 02 91

w w w.m argher io - b o ut i q u e.com m ar ielle.m argher io @ gma il.com + 33 04 79 06 04 25

#L o v e Ti g n e s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

31

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

T R ANSPORT Most of the greenhouse gases for which ski holidays are responsible come from transport to, from and around resorts.

Andy Parant

FLYING TO THE ALPS EMITS 145KG OF CO2 PER PERSON ROAD TRAVEL WITH CARPOOLING CUTS THAT FIGURE DOWN TO 34KG TAKE THE SNOW TRAIN AND YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCES FURTHER TO 23KG

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

WE’RE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SKI YEAR ROUND ON TIGNES’ GRANDE MOTTE GLACIER AND HAVE GUARANTEED SNOW ON VAL D’ISERE’S PISAILLAS GLA C I ER EVEN IN MILD WINTERS LIKE LAST YEAR’S. BUT WITH GLOBAL TEMPERATURES SET TO RISE, AND PREDICTIONS THAT GLACIERS WILL CONTINUE TO RETREAT, RESORTS KNOW IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THEY TAKE ACTION TO PRESERVE SKI AREAS AND LIMIT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE. IT’S NOT JUST THEIR RESPONSIBILITY; THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS EACH OF US CAN DO TO MAKE SURE WE DON’T HARM OUR MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT, AS AMY TWIGGE REPORTS.

T HE BOTTOM L I NE Historically ski resorts have been seen as harming rather than helping their beautiful Alpine surroundings, but fortunately that picture is changing. If everyone does what they can now, hopefully we’ll all be able to enjoy skiing our glaciers and resorts far into the future.

32

f ic t Of

O ff ic e To u ri st re Va l d ’i se

Sometimes nature needs a helping hand to make sure pistes have enough snow coverage - which is where snowmaking machines come in. Of course, as we expend more energy creating manmade snow, we release further CO2 to add to the problem.

To combat this Catch 22 effect, Val d’Isere now uses a computer-automated system along with brand new distribution and filtering equipment, allowing it to create snow in the most efficient way in any given conditions using water from the local Isere river.

u r is re To

SN O WMAK I NG

’ is e Va l d

*STAT S F R O M M O U N TAIN RID E RS

e

For the most guilt-free option take the overnight Eurostar ski train from London. Arriving at Bourg St Maurice early on a Saturday, it even has the added bonus of an extra days skiing! While you’re in Tignes and Val d’Isere take advantage of the free bus shuttle services around resort.

WAS T E Recycling is a simple way we can all reduce our carbon footprint. Each summer local volunteers and holidaymakers take part in ‘environment day’ where they clean up all the litter that reappears once the snow melts. This year the Val d’Isere crew broke records by collecting an impressive 840kg of rubbish left on the slopes. That included champagne bottles, beer bottles, bottle tops and an endless number of cigarette butts. One of these left on the mountain would otherwise take around 5 years to decompose so smokers; bin your butts!

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

A CCOMMODATI ON Their traditional wooden beams and Alpine charm may make resorts look pretty, but older chalets tend to have poor insulation and heating systems.

The extra energy used here makes up 11% of resorts’ carbon emissions. Tignes and Val d’Isere have used thermal imaging cameras to find where buildings are losing heat, so they can plug the leaks. New buildings must adhere to much stricter environmental rules.

Tignes 1800 is a completely new complex and the first high altitude eco village. Its underfloor heating is supplied by the first plant in the Alps to run on wood waste biofuel.

Tignes became the first ski area to be awarded the Green Globe international certificate for eco-friendly organisations this year.

The resort had to pass 300 eco tests to earn the award, and to keep it they have to do the same every 2 years. Recently Tignes has removed 100 lift towers, added new greenery, started monitoring plants and animals, and invested in energy-efficient buses.

O ff ic e

LIFT S The Espace Killy has invested millions of euros into reducing the impact of ski lifts on the environment. Replacing the chairlift at the top of the Solaise with a state-of-the-art gondola we can enjoy from November 2016, has meant a reduction from 8 lift stations with 34 pylons, to just 2 lift stations with 16 pylons. For every tree chopped down during the project, 5 have been planted in its place, and the gondola machinery will be buried underground to reduce noise pollution.

To u ri s t

e

Va l d ’i s e re

ic t O ff is To u r e ’i s e r Va l d

GREEN GLOBE AWARD FOR TIGNES

all comfortable and fully equipped.

Sportswear for the modern woman Satisfy your shopping cravings at our chic boutique Cashmere sweaters, trousers, jeans, bags, shoes, Accessories, gold & silver jewellery

Right in the centre of town and only 2 steps from the slopes, get the benefits of renting an apartment while enjoying a quality hotel service.

Tourist Office Square Val d’Isere

With family or friends, you’ll find the perfect place to share unforgettable moments.

Phone :

04 79 55 66 92

kitchen cleaning pack and welcome products

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

33

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

THEY LOOK OTHERWORLDLY - LIKE BEAUTIFUL CROP CIRCLES IN THE SNOW. BUT THESE INTRICATE WORKS OF ART ARE NOT STAMPED ON FROZEN LANDSCAPES BY MYSTERIOUS BEINGS. AMAZINGLY, THEY’RE THE WORK OF ONE MAN: SIMON BECK.

34

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

O

IVE

ESSENT I

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

BRITISH SKI TUITION IN TIGNES

-

Tuition for individuals or small groups On or off piste. Security equipment provided Established in Tignes since 1999 British and French qualified Visits to other resorts Phone :

+33(0)6 75 68 62 38 +44(0)7860 443698 Email :

celtski2100@aol.com

Simon was inspired to create this unique take on natural art when he was living in Les Arcs in 2004.

He marked out a star on a small frozen lake in Arc 2000 and, when he saw the impressive effect on looking down at it from a ski lift, decided to make a more complex pattern after the next snowfall.

Snow art was born. Simon says: “It started as a bit of fun G I and in 2009 decided to make the drawings my main form of exercise in the winter months and build a collection of photos with the aim of producing a book.”

I

#L o v e Ti g n e s

ON T E

NO T IS S OT O T E ON T I E T E #LoveValdis ere

The book was released in 2014 to worldwide acclaim. The impermanence of the drawings, their setting in a magical snowscape, and their sudden emergence in such harsh conditions – all mean his works capture the imagination.

“Nobody else is making drawings in the snow. So that may be why they are popular - and because they look so good,” S I before; perhaps a lot of the people who might have Optimum conditions for his dramatic creations are predictably found in the dead of winter. “Now and then I score a

S N T E E N ONE E O E EO E O IG T VE O ON ITIONS #LoveStFoy

35

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

IT S TARTE D AS A B IT OF F UN ONE AFTE R NOON. GR ADUAL LY I S TARTE D TAKING IT MORE S E R IOUS LY AND IN 2009 DE CIDE D TO MAK E T HE DR AWINGS MY MAIN F ORM OF E XE R CIS E IN T HE WINTE R MONT HS

I time to attempt drawings outside this period.”

Many of his drawings have been done in Les Arcs – Lac Marlou is a favourite spot. In 2015, he was commissioned to create the iconic Val d’Isere eagle symbol below the Borsat chairlift.

A large drawing the size of 3 football fields takes up to 12 hours to produce. If the weather remains good, it is often extended until it covers an area of up to 10 acres.

Simon wears snowshoes to walk and run up to 30km – almost a marathon - to mark out the pattern. Bear in mind he produces around 30 each year, mainly here in the icy

36

Alps, and his description of his works as ‘both artistic and athletic performances’ makes total sense!

Creating these mainly geometric frescoes involves mathematical precision planning. But how does he know exactly where to tread? That’s where his background as a freelance orienteering map-maker comes in. He uses only a compass to get his bearings, starting from the outside and working in so that the only steps he takes form part of the picture.

Even so, Simon insists his drawings are “easy to make, but also easy to get wrong”.

And when you’re working out in the open it’s not just the elements that can conspire against you.

“I was tempted to poke out the eyes of one guide who led

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

1st-Lifts is the professional and personal private transfer service for your ski/snowboard holiday. Begin and end your holiday in style with 1st-Lifts. A 1st class comfortable airport transfer service to the Espace Killy, Three Valleys and Paradiski ski resorts.

Our drivers will pick you up at the airport of your choice any time of day or night. Our drivers are fully competent and are experienced at driving in the harshest winter conditions. We aim to make your transfer a pleasurable and safe experience. 1st-Lifts are passionate about the French Alps as we know, first hand, that the ski areas are some of the best in the world.

Website : www.1st-lifts.com Email : info@1st-lifts.com Phone : +33698 215978 or +447929 726475

his group of snowshoe walkers across one of the drawings,” Simon says.

Now, Simon gets invitations to produce his works of art all over the world. Earlier this year, he was commissioned by Corona to draw a stunning 140-metre version of their logo on a frozen lake in Argentina. He’s diversified into beach drawings “as an experiment, as there’s a really good beach near my parents’ home”. He even has his own clothing line

by New Zealand label Icebreaker, which features Merino wool clothing patterned with his art.

Inevitably, the more he designs the more intricate they become. Simon says: “They are chosen according to least

I

need to be repeated now that I have bought a better camera.”

So if you see a lonely figure pacing the snow this winter, look carefully and you could be lucky enough to witness Simon creating his next masterpiece.

BUY THE BOOK SIMON BECK SNOW ART, CONTAINING OVER 200 OF HIS ART WORKS, ONLINE AT HTTP://SNOWART.GALLERY. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH HIS CREATIONS ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE (/SNOWART), WHICH HAS OVER 280,000 FOLLOWERS.

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

37

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Scientists have predicted a weather phenomenon, known as El Nino, will hit this winter. Every few years the Pacific sea warms up, disrupting weather patterns around the world with the El Nino effect, which tends to lead to colder, longer winters in Europe. The last El Nino in 2010 brought unprecedented amounts of snow to the UK – and just before the start of this season, the Met Office said this one could be the strongest since the 1950s.

It causes weather extremes that have unpredictable results – in some areas this can be disastrous, causing floods and draughts. On the other hand, the prospect of an extreme amount of snow in the Alps has snowsports fans giddy as kippers. Pre-season snow fell earlier and heavier than usual, boding well for that all-important base layer. El Nino translates as ‘the boy child’ due to its first appearance at Christmas. Here’s hoping we’ve all been good and Santa brings an extra large helping of white stuff.

Spooky TV drama Les Revenants (The Returned) ran a second series on More4 this Autumn. The French show, much of which is filmed around Tignes dam, became a cult hit in the UK due to its stylish filming, eerie soundtrack and subtly spine-chilling plot. The action centres around the dam, which starts inexplicably draining as residents suddenly reappear from the dead.

If you haven’t seen it, we recommend you make it your next box set.

Watching ghostly events unfurl in such familiar surroundings adds yet another strange twist. Even more so if you’ve seen the dam in summer, when the water level gets so low you can see the remains of the old town of Tignes, which was flooded in order to create the dam and the Lac du Chevril in 1952.

Ski touring has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years – so much so that Salomon are entering the market for the first time this season. La Rosiere has picked up on it by marking out three new trails close to the pistes: • Stoat’s Trail: Starting at Les Ecudets, take a walk up through the forest and you will reach the resort centre – a 754m ascent - in just a couple of hours. Open from 9am to 8pm.

• Roc Trail: Walk 470m uphill alongside the Tetras slope to the summit of the Roc Noir, where stunning views of the Grandes Jorasses await. Open from 9am to 5pm.

• Serge’s Trail: Starting in Les Eucherts this trail takes you through wild, high-altitude landscapes and across ski slopes to the summit of Roches Noires at an altitude of 2330m. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mont Pourri.

Open from 9am to 5pm.

• Never go touring alone and always carry avalanche safety equipment.

Learn how to ski tour properly on a Touring Tuesday event. Evolution 2 La Rosiere instructors will take you through all the techniques – how to fit skins, get traction, walk to save energy, mountain safety – on a unique twilight outing rounded off with a Savoyard snack in the forest.

38

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

C A N YO U NA ME A LL 5 OF T IGNES’ T O W NS? T IGNES L E LA C A ND VA L C LA RET A R E T HE MO ST WELL- KNO W N, SPO RT ING T HE MA IN PIS TE S A ND NIGHT LIF E. T IGNES L E BREVIERES IS T HEIR PRET TY C O U SIN, SIT T ING Q U IET LY BELO W T HE DA M. T HERE’S T IGNES 1800 (A KA LES BO ISSES), T HE C O O L NEWC O MER W IT H IT S MO DERN DEVELO PMENT A ND EC O C REDENT IA LS. T HEN T HE R E ’S HIDDEN GEM T IGNES LE LAVA C HET – NO T A REGUL A R O N T HE T O U RIST T RA IL U NT IL NO W, BU T JU ST A BO U T T O BU RST O U T O F T HE SHA DO WS… The 50th anniversary of the building of Lavachet has coincided with its revival. The location of most seasonnaire and resident accommodation, it’s a friendly community and the hub of all gossip and goings on. Bars, restaurants and shops are based around an open area – the Alps equivalent of an English village green. Walk into the bars here year a er ear and u ll find e er d knows your name. Regulars will know we’re referring to…

TC’S BAR The bartending host with the most, patron Rob TC Howe has been established in Lavachet for 15 years.

Enter here for barstool banter and be prepared to get as good as you can give. TC’s answer to Frostgun is his Rail Jam event, held outside the bar in March - a chance to show off your tricks in an informal contest with genepi rather than trophies on offer.

Darts nights, open mics and DJs make TC’s a regular haunt for everyone.

This year sees the re-opening of another bar that earned its place in the hearts of visitors and residents in the 3 years since it opened…

40

SO BAR The mix of off-the-wall entertainment, art deco decor and a specialist spirit and wine menu, make this cosy bar stand out among the standard ski resort fayre. Last winter you may have been disappointed to find So.Bar closed. In fact, one half of the charismatic couple running it – JP Last – passed away in October 2014, just weeks after the birth of their daughter Vivi. His passing left a real hole in the close-knit communitty but a year on and partner Fairy-Lou has re-opened the bar, urging everyone to ‘come, eat, drink, play and be merry because life is too short not to’. She writes:

endea ouring to carry on bringing smiles laughs and good banter to the people of ignes. pect less abuse but ust as many good times. e know that will be with us in spirit all the way and whether you knew him or not you will definitely feel his legacy in e ery corner of the bar. . ore er lo ed.

This winter you’ll find new additions like nutritious and alcoholic VegTails, and the apres dessert/spirit taster experience. Expect a slice of French cafe culture during the day, and the popular rowdy anti-quiz/anti-bingo nights. All welcome, especially those with unusual open mic acts or anecdotes about the legend that was JP. Last winter Lavachet really came into its own with the opening of two new bar/restaurants that made the 2-minute free bus ride from Le Lac a must for those in the know…

o say that will be missed is a huge understatement. ut o. ar will march forward with his warrior spirit

QUEUE DE COCHON This stylish bar (the name of which translates to Pig’s Tail) was opened by the same husband and wife team behind Lo Terrachu, on Tignes lake, the year before. It’s a real fine dining

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

LA QUEUE DE COCHON, TIGNES LE LAVACHET A restaurant of gastronomic heights and bar of extreme quality. Open 4pm to 1.30am. Our menu is unrivalled for its variety, imagination and top class execution. Speciality cocktails with an emphasis on gin, happy hours, live music. DJs. Huge open fireplace, comfy living room atmosphere. +33 (0)4 79 06 57 33 FB /La Queue de Cochon Tignes

TC’S BAR, TIGNES LE LAVACHET

COSY ROOM VIBE LIVING

TC’s Bar is the perfect local’s hangout with regular live DJ and themed nights.

Great value food, amazing burgers and a fantastic All Day Full English on a Saturday. watch the big match or throw some arrows!

NIGHTIME

0479064646 Instagram: tc's bar tignes Twitter: @tcs_bar Facebook: tcsbar.tignes LE BRASERO BAR AND RESTAURANT, TIGNES LE LAVACHET Ski in/ski out restaurant open for lunch, apres and evening service. South-facing suntrap serving excellent food and drinks at affordable prices.

fondues and enormous racks of ribs with superb

C H A M PAG N E

AFTERNOON TEA PURVEYORS OF FINE

WINES AND RARE SPIRITS TIGNES LE LAVACHET

www.braserobartignes.com 09 54 60 90 30 admin@bartignes.com

experience for a special holiday night out – all pretty china crockery and delicate touches; even gin cocktails in teapots! The food makes this place unmissable – it’s haute cuisine at exceptionally good value. The atmosphere is cosy - until the live music and DJs take over and get the whole place swinging.

It’s not just all about drinking and eating; Le Lavachet is serious about its skiing too! Pick up your gear from…

TIGNES SPIRIT

BRASERO BBQs on the sun terrace, live music & DJs make Brasero the obvious choice to ski down to for a pick-me-up. Expect fun happy hours and good value; their house wine selection is spot on. The guys behind popular ski-in après bar Loop at the foot of the slopes in Tignes Le Lac, and bar/restaurant Couloir in Val Claret, added Brasero to their family last year and they brought the apres party with them!

#L o v e Ti g n e s

The window of this equipment hire shop tempts you in with outlandish ski outfits and the most on-trend gear. The Tignes Spirit staff are real experts and you’re very likely to bump into them again on the hill (most likely in the park). Their technicians deliver equipment all around the Espace Killy region so you can be kitted out in the comfort of your own chalet or apartment at no extra cost. Having been established in Tignes for many years, their website www.tignes-spirit.com is pretty much a one-stop-shop for anything you need.

AL L E YE S ARE ON TH IS PART OF TIGN ES, WITH SOME EX CIT I NG PLANS F O R IT S DEVEL OP MEN T BEIN G TAL K ED ABOUT. N OW’S TH E TI ME TO CHE CK O U T COL OURFUL L E L AVACH ET, TH E H EART OF TIGNES.

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

41

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

DO N’ T DIS MIS S O WNING Y O UR O W N SKI PROPERTY AS A PIPE DR E A M. L OOK C LO SER AND , AS W E L L AS BEING V ERY CO O L, IT MIGHT JUST BE THE MOST SENSIBLE I NV E S TMENT YOU CO ULD M AKE. AL P S P ROP E RTY AGENT LEGGETT HAS S EE N THE E SPACE KILLY ENJ O Y I N G A RE NA I SSANCE AS TH E HO T D EST INATION FOR INVESTO R S. E N G L I S H NOW MAKE UP AROUND HAL F O F A L L HOLID AYM AKERS HE R E , A ND ONC E TH EY ARRIVE T H E Y CA N’T HE L P B UT FALL IN LO V E WITH THE IR SUR R O UND INGS. B U T I T ’ S C E RTA INLY NOT JUST TH E HE ART T HAT ’S L EAD ING TH EM TO HAND OVE R T HEIR H AR D -EAR NED CA S H – A N INVE STM ENT IN SKI P R O P ERTY IS DE FINITELY MAD E W I T H T HE HE A D TO O .

B E S M ART W IT H YOUR MO NEY T R A N SF ERS B Y US ING THE NEW R AT E WATCH ON THE CURRENCIES DI RECT WEBSIT E W W W. C U RRE NC IESD IR ECT.COM .

I T W I L L ALERT YOU WHEN THE E X C HANG E RAT E FALLS S O YOU C A N LOCK IT IN WITH A 10% DEP O SIT F OR UP TO 1 2 MO NTHS, A LLO WING YOU TIME TO FIND THE PERF ECT P ROP ERTY WITH YO UR B U D G E T SET.

Images&Reves

42

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

It’s rare that new land to build on becomes available in the Espace Killy and that keeps the value of existing property high. Prices in Tignes range from €3500 to €7000 per square metre, and in Val d’Isere you can find chalets for sale for up to €20,000 per square metre. New builds like the eco development Tignes 1800 offer a great chance to bag your own piece of the Alps. Leggett offer properties ranging from studio apartments to luxury ski chalets in the Espace Killy. Check their website www.leggettski.com.

The more resorts invest in their facilities and infrastructure, the more people want to invest their own money into the area.

The Espace Killy is seeing a huge amount of development, cementing its position as one of the best ski areas in the world. Val d’Isere is a candidate for the 2023 Alpine World Skiing Championships, which should “encourage international buying and raise prices”, Leggett agent Romy Favre says. The investment of €16m in redeveloping the Solaise cable car for November 2016, and plans to build more hotels, chalets and housing in the resort centre and La Daille will also keep demand high. In Tignes, many more lift improvements are planned for the Grande Motte cable car, the connections from Brevieres to Boisses, and the Marais and Chaudannes chairlifts. Several new hotel and training facility projects are also in the pipeline.

As the climate changes, clever investors are buying higher for long-term ski property investment. For some buyers the most important thing is guaranteed, convenient skiing – for their own enjoyment and to make the most of rental income. That makes resorts that have guaranteed snow, like Tignes and Val d’Isere with their exceptionally high altitude and glaciers, even more attractive.

Despite falling back slightly at the end of summer, Brits can still get many more euros for their pound than they could a year ago.

At the start of September the £1/€1.35 exchange rate meant a €300,000 ski property was about £17,000 cheaper than the previous year.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

Building your own house, if you can find a plot of land to buy, can save you even more money. It’s a win/win – you can get exactly the house you want to your own specifications for the same price or less than an existing chalet, and as it will be built to the highest eco standards you’ll save on bills far into the future too.

Even if you’ve had no previous experience of building, this option can be for you. Steven Downs, of ECSUS Design architects, has renovated and built property all over the Alps – from fully managed projects to helping eager self-builders. He specialises in building ski chalets with Kingspan TEK – highly energy efficient SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels) that are precision cut off-site and can be assembled on-site within 3 weeks.

He says: “Building your own home can be incredibly rewarding. Start with your wish list and we can scale it to your budget and level of involvement from there. Making the most of views, location and ease of access should be your initial concerns. Negotiate purchase of the land on the condition that full planning permission is obtained prior to completion.”

ECSUS offer a free initial consultation– visit their website www.ecsusdesign.com.

Architectural Services Specialising in Kingspan TEK DESIGN & PLANNING Initial concept, adaptation of existing plans and full planning permission drawings.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Product delivery and installation through to a fully managed project.

CONSULTANCY Architectural consultancy regarding the design and construction of SIPs panels.

Kingspan TEK are next generation Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) that create energy efficient, eco-friendly, affordable homes that work within challenging environments specialising in ski chalets.

6 X STRONGER THAN TIMBER FRAME DECENNALE INSURANCE LOWER RUNNING COSTS LIFETIME WARRANTY

as

n

no

s gn

d

n Gra see

LOWER CONSTRUCTION COSTS FASTER CONSTRUCTION FLEXIBLE DESIGN & FINISH ATE & BBA CERTIFIED

si De

Offices in: UK, French Alps & SW France +33 (0)6 85 20 48 09

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

+44 (0)7967 728009

#LoveStFoy

43

O

IVE

ESSENT I

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

F O R MO RE A ND M OR E EO E O OV E T E O NT INS NN S I O I S O S EN ING O E O INT E S S SE SO NN I E IS NO O NGE ENO G I O VE GO T S I TO E S IT IO N ET O ST S O ET I N N I E T E E S N O I IT TO O IG O N GO IN T E O NT INS T E S IS ST E O ING EE ING G O N O ENT E ENE S S O ING T T O N VE IT E O E TO T E O O T E S I T E E NE

JAO As ski instructors who ride the Espace Killy even in the worst

P OLEP L A N T Ski instructor Gabriele Nicotra set up a workshop crafting natural bamboo ski poles in Tignes in early 2015. His idea of

handcrafted by true mountain lovers from sustainable

more in Europe.”

I

I

G

and that’s the beauty of them. Each Poleplant pole has been

The first 50 pairs were produced in summer after a success ful Kickstarter campaign. Expect to see Poleplant on the Espace Killy slopes this winter and look out for them in the expert hands of international freerider Silvia Moser and Val I T G

www.poleplant.com

friends have built up an accessories range that’s now sold in V I T Sainte Foy and further afield. Their products can be person alised for events or companies and are already a favourite G under real conditions and improve them all the time. Now time.” www.jao-collection.com EDGE M A GA ZI N E LOVES TO SU PPORT LOC AL B U SI N ESS. GET I N TOU CH TO SEE HOW WE CA N HELP WI TH Y OU R PR OM OTI O N!

O

IVE

E

ESSENT I

O N

G

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

S T

IE E N I O T

T IS

O E

NT

2

S if there was a way to make skiing with children easier. The GOT T fun for kids to wear with butterfly wings for girls and

I S your own skis plus the children’s a thing of the past.

O T E I back strap is handy in any situation where kids need a bit of a guiding hand.”

GOTCHAkids vests are available in: S T Tignes Spirit Duchy Tignes Val Claret www.gotcha-kids.com

CODE SOU123. TURN TO PG 72 TO SEE O O N IN G OT VESTS T

V

S

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

AT THE GRAND AGE OF 26, HE C O U L D A LMO ST BE C O NSIDERED ‘O LD’ ON THE C O MPET IT IVE SNO WBO A RDING SC E NE .

YET IN A PRIL T HIS YEA R, BILLY MO RGA N A LMO ST BRO KE T HE INT ERNET W HEN HE BEC A ME T H E FIR ST PERSO N EVER T O NA IL A Q U A D C OR K .

T HAT ’S A MEGA - T RIC K C O NTA INING 4 O F F - A XIS F LIPS A ND 5 F U LL RO TATIONS – A F U LL F LIP A ND HA LF A RO TATION MO RE T HA N T HE PREVIO U S BIGGE ST T RIC K, T HE T RIPLE C O RK 1620.

SNOWBO

B I L L Y MORGA N

Nick Atkins

ACROBA ARD TICS

NO W LO O KING T O WA RDS T HE 2018 WINT ER O LYMPIC S IN SO U T H KOR E A , HE’S C O ME A LO NG WAY F RO M THE DRY SKI SLO PE HE LEA RNT T HE B A SIC S O N NEA R HIS SO U T HA MPT O N H OM E .

BU T BA C K T HEN, BILLY A LREA DY HA D A N U NU SU A L A DVA NTA GE IN T HE SPO RT O F F REEST YLE SNO WBO AR DING, A S HE EXPLA INS T O KAT Y DARTF OR D …

Red Bull

I NEVER INTENDED TO HEAD THIS WAY. I STARTED SNOWBOARDING WHEN I WAS ABOUT 14, FELL IN LOVE WITH IT AND IT WAS JUST A KIND OF SLOW PROGRESSION.

46

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

“It’s definitely pretty random,” says Billy. “I never intended to head this way. I started snowboarding when I was about 14, fell in love with it and it was just a kind of slow progression. As I used to be an acrobat I had the basic skills to pick it up quickly. I just knew after a few years of snowboarding for fun that I could start competing, then I got into the British team and ended up being pushed further and further. There was never a plan for me - it just happened.”

Billy’s physical strength and air-awareness meant that by 2010 he’d already scooped some British Big Air titles. Then, in December 2011, he landed the first-ever Triple Backside Rodeo 1260. Since then he’s continued to develop his all-round rail and air skills, and represented team GB in Slopestyle at the Sochi 2014 Olympics.

But isn’t acrobatics an unusual activity to get into?

“Lots of people do acro,” says Billy. “There was a gymnastics club not far from me and my brother and I started from 4 years old.” His acrobatic background doesn’t mean he’s not daunted by tricks, though. “I still find it scary, but I can calculate risk a lot more.”

So how did he end up nailing the Quad Cork earlier this year – especially when he had a knee ligament injury to contend with? “Well, no-one had done it but there was a Canadian guy who wanted to do it. He did an easier variation, so there was a bit of a hurry to get it done. We’d been thinking about it for 6 months and we’d been to another spot with a jump built, but it didn't really work for me; so Red Bull had this other

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

47

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

ARD O B W ICS SNO

BAT

ACRO

Y L L I BMORGAN

Re d Bu ll

NO T H E R E ’S T U B , N R AT IO R IT. IN P R E PA S E L O GO FO IP T R T E V F A O H S OT U JUST RED; W E D ID L R IT – Y O O F G U S LY S C A O IN L IN U A IC R T ID Y OF IN G R R E A L WA IT E M E B E S. P S E D L L T M AT T E R WE A Y H T T W E R ’S T P H, THA IT W E N T E THOUG IV L A L IL I’ M S T

one built last-minute. They pulled out all the stops and it was an absolutely huge jump built in Livigno’s Mottolino resort in Italy. We picked that location as there was already a big mound of snow and we didn't have a lot of work to do, we just had to reshape it to exactly how we wanted. It still took 40 hours to build and it worked out pretty perfect on the day. We knew what we had to do.”

So how does one prepare for such an epic challenge?

“We did lots of triples in preparation, but there’s no real way of training for it – you just have to go for it. It went pretty well despite me being ridiculously scared; I’m still alive though, that’s what matters.”

Billy had reconstruction on his right knee in August. “I snapped my ACL two years ago and it was bashing my cartilage to bits, so it needed doing. It’s not easy this sport - not when you’re old!” How old is old? “I’m not 18, I’m 26. I've got at least 5 years on most competitors!

Everyone is getting older on the pro circuit as it’s getting more professional and the pro riders are lasting longer and longer - so hopefully I’ve got a few years left in me.”

Billy says he’s not really thinking too much about the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea just yet. Big Air snowboarding, where competitors fly off a highly pitched ramp and perform as many jumps and spins as possible in an allowed time, is being introduced for the first time following the success of Slopestyle in Sochi. It seems that big stunts equals big audiences.

48

“It’s going to be awesome. People liked Slopestyle so much and bringing Big Air into it may change Slopestyle a little bit to make it a more technical sport. With Big Air it’s the one big trick element so it’s more entertaining to watch. It’ll make them both more specific.” Billy doesn’t think introducing Big Air will boost female participation in the sport, as the International Olympic Committee hopes.

“Big air is not likely to get girls into it,” he says. “It’s the scariest thing you can do - facing this jump that’s really oversized.” So why does he think they put it in then? “For spectators I guess - and there’s no reason why not. If you think in the bobsled there’s the one-man, four-man and so on because there are many ways you can go down the track. So why not bring another element of snowboarding in that’s actually quite different?”

And what about that hardcore of snowboarders who disagree with the sport being in the Olympics at all?

“Well, if you don't like it, you don’t have to watch it.

Every sport, as it progresses, will head to a more elitist stage as it gets more popular and there’s more money in it - it's the natural progression of a free sport. There are a lot of core snowboarders who don't think there should be competitions at all. If you’re a core snowboarder and you want to do it for the love, you should. Nobody’s forcing you to compete.”

So, how well does Billy think he might do in the next Winter Olympics? “You can never tell - that’s the joy of snowboarding and that’s why it’s so interesting to watch.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

ER WINN

“THE BEST INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY - FRANCE" 3 YEARS RUNNING, EUROPEAN PROPERTY AWARDS

A SMALL SAMPLE OF THE 100s OF SKI PROPERTIES WE HAVE FOR SALE

Chalet with 4 bedrooms in the heart of ski resort N ic k

A tk in

5 bedroom chalet with breath-taking views

€550,000 Ste Foy

Les Brevieres €1,075,001

Ski-in, ski-out 2 bedroom apartment with garage

Modern ski chalet with separate apar tment

s

Tignes €353,000

Tignes €1,050,000

If you are looking to buy or sell property in Tignes, Val d’Isere, La Rosiere or Sainte Foy, get in touch with your local agents, Romy Favre and Ben Farley: u ll Red B

ski@leggett.fr +33 (0)4 77 751121 www.leggettski.com Red

B u ll

I can do a trick 10 times and on the 11th I may not land it.

That’s what makes it fun.” But is he feeling confident? “I don’t know - it’s miles away, so I’m thinking one step at a time. I’ve got to get better now and I can’t think too far into the future - if I do I start worrying too much!”

What’s life for him outside of snowboarding? “I’ve just started basic skateboarding again, which is fun but it’s not easy. I’m getting into gymnastics again a little bit, swinging around, anything to stay fit really. I’ve actually been quite busy. I went to Bali for 3 weeks, which was a nice break in the middle of my rehab and gave me the drive to come back and smash into it again. I’ve also been doing some TV including a German lifestyle show about being a Red Bull athlete - that’s pretty strange, but good fun. I’m doing a TV show that’s going on Dave, called The Indestructibles, doing ridiculous stuff. I was towed from behind a boat on a ‘Wing-go’ - a wing we made out of stuff from B&Q - and we tried to fly it. We bought PVC and tarpaulin but it failed miserably. It was fun though.”

So maybe TV is something he could get into after snowboarding? “Why not? I used to hate interviews and stuff but I'm getting used to it now.”

Finally, will we see him back in Tignes after his last appearance at the BRITS? “I love going to the BRITS. It’s good fun to see what’s happening in the British team and what’s going on with the younger kids. It’s nice to show support - the parties are pretty good too.”

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

49

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

YOU’RE NEVER SHORT OF A PARTY IN ANY OF OUR RESORTS, BUT WHICH TO CHOOSE? AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU FANCY A QUIET EVENING, OR A WIND-DOWN WITH THE FAMILY? WHATEVER YOUR MOOD, HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO WHAT TO DO AFTER THE SKI LIFTS CLOSE.

CHILL-OUT

TERRACE

TIGNES VAL CLARET becomes this winter’s apero hub with the opening of O Chalet’s huge brand new apres terrace, right next door to Le Coffee’s established outdoor hangout on the south-facing font du neige near Tufs.

O CHALET Set the tone for your evening with tapas, a happy hour cocktail and tunes from guitarists or DJs here. O Chalet is a party starter with its impressive sound and light system and now it’s spilling out onto the new decking.

LE COFFEE This bar’s signature chilled Ibiza soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to sun-downers, sipped as you lounge on the comfy outdoor seating. The menu ranges from snacks to the full French Monty.

LA ROSIERE’S slope-front bars offer the perfect place to end a ski day with stunning views over the valley.

LA TAVERNE DU MCKINLEY Ski right onto the terrace and meet up with the rest of your group for refuelling here; this terrace was made for people-watching. Rooms are available so if you don’t want to leave, you don’t have to!

LE RELAIS DU PETIT SAINT BERNARD. At the other end of the same slope-front block is the Relais - another ski-in bar and hotel boasting panoramic vistas, traditional surroundings, and family-friendly service.

Read more about the history of La Rosiere’s font du neige on pg 60

50

FAMILY

FRIENDLY

RIZE COFFEE BAR, VAL D’ISERE As the kids get stuck into the Rize Kids Zone play area, relax with a splendid coffee and a homebaked cake. For something different try the weekly Swedish ‘Fika’ apres. Look out for their Thai, Mexican and other themed evenings, plus ever-popular cheese and wine nights.

SO.BAR, TIGNES LE LAVACHET A delightful bar with a friendly living-room vibe, So.Bar offers a slice of cafe culture. Try their delectable fresh-baked cookies, cakes, scones, samosas and spring rolls with a coffee - or give their new VegTails (spirits blended with fresh, earthy ingredients) a go. Later in the evenings expect an eclectic variety of open mic events, anti-quiz and anti-bingo nights, wine and spirit tastings.

Read more about So.Bar and up-and-coming Tignes Le Lavachet on pg 40 If you’d rather leave the apres to the adults there are some reliable, great value childcare services in resort. We recommend: T4 NANNY www.t4nanny.com +33(0)6 46 03 21 80 +44(0)208 144 1054 LITTLE CHICKS CHILDCARE www.littlechickschildcare.com +33(0)7 62 70 24 36 +44(0)759 371 5435

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

SKI-IN

PA RT Y

The resort’s legendary Scandi apres bar, tucked away off the main roundabout, celebrates its 20th anniversary this season so expect even more of a party atmosphere. You’ll find a real mix of Brits, French, Danish and Swedish here, and a warm welcome from the mainly Scandinavian staff. Grab a Danish beer and let the DJ find your dancing feet. Look out for regular theme nights, live bands, UV/retro parties, and DJ battle nights.

# L o v e Ti g ne s

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

These party bars in Tignes Val Claret centre and Val d’Isere’s font du neige attract a young crowd with fun apres events like daily beer pong tournaments, theme parties and live music. Grab a space at the bar for happy hour cocktails and see where your evening goes from there!

#LoveValdis ere

‘Ski & Party’ is the motto of this apres bar and they’re serious about both. Cocorico’s outdoor terrace, located right under the Solaise chairlift, opened last season and quickly became the place to loosen your ski boots to banging tunes from live music and DJs. This year the terrace has doubled in size to 200msq and gained an extra bar. If you try to ski past, be warned; the beat is likely to suck you in.

#L ov eL a R os i ere

Follow the call of the marmots to this bar behind Tignes’ Palafour lift for friendly banter, pub grub (their burgers and chips get rave reviews), guest ales and live sports action. It’s a favourite on the music circuit with apres brought to you by DJs and bands of all musical persuasion.

There’s now even more room to swing a marmot in their newly-renovated downstairs bar.

#LoveStFoy

51

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

PA RTY

ON

JACKS, TIGNES LE LAC This friendly, family-run club is popular with seasonnaires and locals. It’s hidden at the back of Jacks Bowling alley, next to Tignespace, but if you follow the crowds as the bars chuck out, you’ll find your way there. Home to Bass Station international DJ nights, it has an eclectic music mix. If you haven’t found yourself twerking round the dance floor pole here you’ve not had the full Tignes experience.

DOUDOUNE, VAL D’ISERE Found right at the bottom of the Solaise under Cocorico, Doudoune opens from 10.30pm and gradually morphs from cosy bar into one of the Alps’ only superclubs. It’s the place to go to dance your ski socks off to big international DJs and bands. This season it’s been completely redesigned to resemble a ‘circus, burlesque and bohemian’ staged set with themed areas to explore. Along with a completely new sound and light system, it promises some stunning spectacles. Expect free performance art and entertainment with your drink.

Not to be missed!

UNDERGROUND, TIGNES LE LAC Anything goes in this bar – small in size but huge in character. A great place to start and end your evening - go for the wide variety of flavoured shots, friendly banter from the all-female bar team, Sport TV, bar snacks, live music and DJ nights. Find it halfway up Tignes’ Rue de la Poste opposite Carrefour.

AROBAZE, TIGNES VAL CLARET A fun bar with a French feel, Arobaze is Tignes Val Claret’s central late-night party venue. Dancing feet won’t be able to resist the bright lights of the dancefloor and the electro, house and techno tunes pumped out by the DJs.

CO SY

NI G H T I N

CARREFOUR, TIGNES LE LAC Buy your cheese and meat from Carrefour Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste, and they’ll lend you a raclette or fondue kit for free! Not only that, they’ll deliver the whole order straight to your accommodation. Have a fun family meal or a bit of cheesy romance in the comfort of your apartment for half the price of eating out.

BAGUS, TIGNES LE LAC Bagus offers takeaway and free delivery to your door! Choose from restaurant-quality pizzas, burgers, Savoyard specialities or tagines.

Open until 10pm. Call +33(0)4 79 06 49 75 / +33(0)7 70 64 66 58.

52

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

ES

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

S

GN

RE

TA U

RAN

T LO U N

.

GE

TI

cafe ntre e C t e r Va l C l a HOUSE s P e E n E g D i -T O L AT E TECHN EN TIL

OP DJS S OWS L I H A S T Y K C X E O PA S - C T Y N I G H T S - S A T O R APER M E D PA E H T O ELECTR

/ arobazec afeti gne s #L o v e Ti g n e s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

53

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

HOW DID YOU START OUT ON THE ALPS CIRCUIT? RORY (VOCALS/PIANO): It was a way of continuously playing music and paying the bills. Who doesn’t want to spend your day job playing music?

Summers surfing, winters snowboarding; we were living the dream. I needed this job in the band to go well. I was washing dishes in Woody’s bar [in French surf town Hossegor], my career was spiralling downwards - I was about to be demoted to emptying bins and we were all living in our vans.

WE’VE HEARD THE PAY WAS PANTS? RORY: We did once get paid in pants. I happened to mention to the owners of Loop Bar in Tignes that I needed some and they offered us a gig paid in half cash, half Loop-branded underpants.

I said, ‘done!’ - but the others weren’t too happy.

ROB (GUITARIST): Getting paid was

54

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

always hard work. In Dropzone, they wouldn’t hand over any money until they’d taken us into the kitchen and made us drink so many shots.

RORY: Every winter, I said I would never come back. Apres gigs are so much fun, but it was so cold. The van would break down, we’d have 8 or 9 gigs a week and my voice was going. But the others wouldn’t let me give up.

PETE (BASS): We had some very sketchy moments driving along dodgy mountain roads, rushing to gigs. It’s a miracle we’re still alive to be honest.

THERE ARE LOTS OF BANDS ON THE MOUNTAIN RESORT CIRCUIT, SO WHAT MADE YOU DIFFERENT? RORY: We always played stuff we grew up listening to, not all the usual covers.

Also, we were the loudest band in the Alps so people had to listen. But the mainstream success; we didn’t expect that, didn’t see it coming. It’s been a whirlwind.

ROB: We were a covers band when we started and we had some success, but to take it to the next level we knew we had to start writing our own stuff. We had to make a conscious effort to set aside four hours, no matter what the snow or the waves were doing, every day. We didn’t know how it was going to go, but it came quite naturally as we’d played together so long.

HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO GET NOTICED BY LONDON RECORD LABELS WHEN YOU WERE GIGGING UP MOUNTAINS IN FRANCE? RORY: Some labels came out to see us play in Val d’Isere in March 2014 and we were signed in June. We didn’t realise at the time that they never usually leave London! It was the first time we played Remember and I didn’t have any lyrics except a chorus, so I decided to play it anyway and just mutter some nonsense.

Afterwards, people came up to us and said the lyrics were so good - but

TIGNES BEST BAR FOR A FUN PARTY ATMOSPHERE, DRINKS AND SNACKS FROM EARLY AFTERNOON RIGHT UP UNTIL IT’S TIME TO HIT THE CLUBS!

OPEN 2PM - 2 AM

LIVE

MUSIC

LIVE SPORTS DRINKS

PROMOS

DJS

THEME NIGHTS

BAR SNACKS

MENU

BIGGEST VARIETY OF SHOTS

Rue de la Post, Tignes Le Lac. Opposite Carrefour.

Phone : 06 27 59 38 04 www.Facebook.com/UndergroundBarLeLac

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

actually I’d just mumbled.

JED (DRUMS): We didn’t have the cash to do a gig in London. We did three weeks in the Alps - our last as the Cheerleaders - sneaking our own songs in. People kept dancing when we road tested them, so we thought that was a good sign. Then we came back as Sunset Sons and that was it. We just try to win people over with raw enthusiasm.

SHE WANTS SHOT UP THE CHARTS WITH ITS CATCHY CHORUS – HOW DID THAT ONE COME ABOUT? RORY: If we have a good day in the surf or on the mountain, it’s always a good day in the studio. The idea and structure for She Wants came in half an hour. Pete had an idea, we had a jam, and that night it was the Quicksilver party after a surf competition. Jed had never heard it and we played it live, I just told him the outline.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST MEMORABLE GIG? PETE: Playing the Morris pub in Val d’Isere on our first ever tour as Sunset Sons. We played She Wants and I stopped singing because the crowd was singing so loudly. We looked at each other like, ‘what’s going on’, and we couldn’t stop laughing. It was the first time that had happened.

BUT YOU MUST HAVE HAD SOME SHOCKERS? RORY: We had a rough night in Dropzone in Tignes once. We started playing with no-one in the bar, then loads of French students crowded in when we played an MGMT cover and we thought it was going to be a great gig. But after the song, they all left and we kept thinking that they must have thought we were so good they’d gone

2013

Changed name to Sunset Sons

2015

Self-released Le Surfing EP hits No 6 in the iTunes chart

2015

JUNE

Signed to Universal Music

2015

OCT

Released No Bad Days EP

DEC

2014

DEC

2014

Nominated for MTVs’s Brand New For 2015 Featured on BBC Sound Of 2015 list

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS NOW? ROB: We want to do more big shows, build up a fan base gradually. We want to be recognised for our music.

JED: We’ve been a band so long, but getting signed and everything happened quite quickly. We’ll just see

Released ‘The Fall Line’ EP

Won TC’s Bar (Tignes Le Lavachet) Best Resort Band poll

2014

PETE: We’re now doing bigger venues, but before we started our sell-out tour in the UK in early 2015 we played some gigs on our old Alps circuit.

RORY: Now, we don’t get in the water or on the mountain as much as we used to - music is 100% the first priority. But we love where we are.

MARCH

2012

2014

HOW HAS SUCCESS CHANGED WHAT YOU DO?

Named as one of XFM’s Great X-Pectations for 2015

First gig in Tignes as Cheerleaders

FEB

to get other people in. They didn’t come back and we played to an empty bar the rest of the set.

2015

2011

2014

56

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

JAN

2015

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

SUMMER

2015

JULY

2015

OCT

2015

Tour of UK begins, and sells out

European tour

Tour of California begins Play Glastonbury’s John Peel Stage, Isle of Wight, T in The Park, Boardmasters, Reading & Leeds and European festivals Released ‘She Wants’ EP Main support for Imagine Dragons UK/Europe arena tour.

Experience Apres Ski & Fine Dining in Tignes Val Claret

t 5JHOFT #&45 TPVOE BOE MJHIUT TZTUFN t )VHF CSBOE /&8 TMPQF GBDJOH BQSFT UFSSBDF

• Tignes’ BEST sound and lights system • Huge brand NEW slope-facing apres terrace

t %+T MJWF NVTJD PQFO NJD

• D Js, live music, open mic • Extensive wine menu, choice of beers

t &YUFOTJWF XJOF NFOV DIPJDF PG CFFST BOE TQJSJUT CFBVUJGVM DPDLUBJMT

and spirits, beautiful cocktails • Lunch , dinner, tapas, snacks

t -VODI EJOOFS UBQBT TOBDLT

facebook.com/ochaletvintage - Phone : +33(0)4 79 06 39 75

R E S TA U R A N T A modern take on traditional Alpine eating • Watch all your food prepared in our open kitchen, pizza oven and hot dessert counter • Extensive wine and beer selection • Live music while you lunch – Sport TV • Large sun terrace - open all day – perfect for large groups • Completely renovated and re-launched for Winter 2016!

GBDFCPPL DPN SFTUBVSBOUQFQF 1IPOF +33 (0)4 79 06 38 49 QJ[[FSJB !XBOBEPP GS

Brasserie Du Petit Savoyard Specialists in traditional Savoyard delicacies.

Fondue – Crepes – Salad – Tartiflette – Meats Serving breakfast through to dinner

Find us on the slope-front at the foot of the Tufs chairlift, Tignes Val Claret. www.restautignes.com

facebook.com/brasseriepetitsavoyard.puts - Phone : +33(0)4 79 06 36 23 – Email : restau.tignes@wanadoo.fr Find us on the slope-front at the foot of the Tufs chairlift, Tignes Val Claret. www.restautignes.com

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

St Foy Tourist Office

A S A SK I I N STR U CTOR B A SED I N TIG NE S, TO RI COLLI N S I S U SED TO B U SY PI STES AND ALL THE THR I LLS A N D SPI LLS OF SK I I NG THE HUG E ESPA CE K I LLY. F OR A CHA N GE O F PAC E ON DAY S OF F SHE HEA DS TO N EA R B Y SAINTE FOY WI TH HER 9 - Y EA R - OLD SON OSSIE . JUST A SHORT DR I VE F R OM TI GN ES/VAL D’ISE RE IT COU LD B E A WOR LD AWAY WI TH I TS P E AC E FUL VI LLA GE ATM OSPHER E A N D TRE E -LINE D SLOPES. HER E, SHE LETS US IN ON THE B EST- K EPT SECR ET I N THE TARE NTAISE .

FOR CONFIDENT CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS Older and more advanced skiers love Sainte Foy’s secret forest ski trails, which all have animal names like Fox and Wolf. With rolling drop-offs, natural half-pipes and rock drops, they love using the natural shapes of the mountain like a giant snow park.

Sainte Foy is the perfect resort for all the family. Small but with bundles of Alpine charm, don’t be fooled by its size. It has a lot to offer with two nursery slopes, two green, seven blue, eleven red and four black runs. Plus the vast amount of adventurous off-piste; there really is something for everyone.

Ossie loves the fun terrain, jumps and forest runs – it’s a completely different environment to the Espace Killy. For children who are competent skiers the whole resort is an Skiing powder all morning, stopping for lunch and then coming back out to ski more fresh tracks isn’t something I’d had chance to do in the larger resorts, which get tracked out early in the day. It got me exploring more of Sainte Foy and before long I discovered all of its big off-piste routes. More than 98% of Sainte Foy is in the protected Vanoise National Park. Some of my favourite ski days have been long tours exploring hidden villages like the beautiful Monal and then skiing back with friends as the sun sets.

FOR CHILDREN AND BEGINNERS The nursery slopes are right in the heart of the resort.

Slow-moving magic carpets and wide gentle pistes make it a relaxed, fun and friendly atmosphere for little ones’ first turns on skis. Once they can control their speed and turns it’s easy to get kids up skiing in the mountains quickly. The chairlift is child-friendly - it has a bar that goes between their legs and locks securely – so they can safely go higher to ski their first gentle forest run that winds through the trees and leads back to the nursery slopes.

58

FOR IMPROVERS The long, quiet blue runs are ideal for anyone wanting to improve their technique, giving you space to perfect your wide carved turns. The steeper, more technical and challenging red runs are excellent for practicing shorter turns and controlling your speed. Sainte Foy has a brilliant bumps piste right under L'Arpettaz chairlift as well as un-groomed black runs Crystal Dark, Morion, and Cret Serru du Haut. They’re a great way of developing your skiing and preparing you to tackle more demanding terrain.

FOR OFF PISTE AND POWDER LOVERS Sainte Foy may only have four chairlifts but it really is a huge north-facing, freeride paradise! Those who ski there usually keep it a secret because the lift queues are always short and the fresh tracks can last all day. For the bravest and most experienced you mustn't miss the famous Pointe de la Foglietta. The start is located at 3000m after three chairlifts and around an hours’ hike and it really is one of the most beautiful north-face skis of the Tarentaise valley, offering a long downhill run of powder snow all winter.

Of course, if you’re thinking of venturing off-piste it’s important that you go with a guide and all the correct avalanche safety equipment. Snoworks (www.snoworks.co.uk) offer All Terrain Safari courses to competent skiers in Sainte Foy. There’s a free navette from Sainte Foy village up to the resort. The public buses that run from Bourg Saint Maurice to Tignes/Val d’Isere can drop you off there.

Follow Tori’s blog at www.tignestori.com

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Say hello to ChaletManager The complete end-to-end solution that gives you total control of your chalet business.

- Online booking - Finance - Reporting

- Guest portal - Real-time availability - Online payments

chaletmanager.com

S

K

I

R

E

S

O

R

T

T

R

A

N

S

F

E

R

S

Travel and Wintersports Insurance

SKI AND WINTER SPORTS Specialist Insurance s Off piste n WITH OR WITHOUT GUIDE s Personal liability INJURING OTHER SKIERS AND COVER FOR SKI LEADING s 24hr emergency medical cover INCLUDING RESCUE BY HELICOPTER s Family policies n KIDS GO FREE s Local ski racing covered s Snowparks s Ski event cancellation cover s Up to age 80

t: 01428 778000 e: w: mpibrokers.com

t h e m o u n t a i n r e s c u e . c o m

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

59

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

LOOK AT THE BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES PROUDLY FRAMED ON THE WALLS AND YOU’LL SEE LA ROSIERE’S SLOPE-FRONT BARS AND RESTAURANTS DON’T JUST OFFER A STUNNING SETTING FOR A DRINK, BUT A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE RESORT. IT WAS 1954 WHEN THE FIRST HOSTELRY WAS BUILT BY LOCAL MAN JEAN ARPIN. HE FOUGHT FOR THE RESORT’S DEVELOPMENT AND FINALLY SAW HIS DREAM BECOME A REALITY IN 1961. NOW, LA ROSIERE IS AN 11,000-BED RESORT WITH 160KM OF SUNNY SLOPES. KNOWN AS A FAMILY RESORT, IT’S FITTING THAT JEAN’S GRANDDAUGHTER FLORENCE ARPIN HAS JUST RETURNED TO HER ROOTS TO RUN BAR/ RESTAURANT LA TAVERN DU MCKINLEY, GIVING UP HER LIFE AS A MUSIC PROMOTER IN LONDON. SHE TELLS US WHY SHE GAVE IN TO THE CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS…

My grandfather, Jean Arpin, had a crazy dream and – through grit and determination - turned it into reality. Looking up at the virgin white snow on the slopes leading to the Col du Petit St Bernard, my grandparents decided to build a bar. They called it Le Relais du Petit Saint Bernard.

These were the modest beginnings of what turned into the ski resort of La Rosiere. Later, one of Jean’s sons – my father – developed the chalet bar/restaurant complex Le McKinley.

As for me, I was born in the suburbs of Paris but baptised in the church of Montvalezan and spent every winter holiday in La Rosiere. My grandmother, Helene Arpin, was the local schoolteacher.

Grandfather Jean was a legend – then and now! He had the vision, the leadership and the drive to create this new resort, as well as being a great ski instructor and a fantastic entertainer. It was exciting to hang out with them as a kid, but my adult life took me travelling around the world before settling in London, with employment in the music business and the serious task of raising two children.

Then, 2015 presented me with a sudden and unexpected opportunity – the chance to take over management of Le McKinley. I decided to go for it and within weeks I said goodbye to London and the rock concerts, settled in La Rosiere, and opened La Taverne du McKinley. Now, I pinch myself each morning. Can this be true? The sheer beauty of the landscape, those snow-capped summits, the stunning sunsets…. La Rosiere is a gem!

So, I am back! It is about time I reconnected with my Alpine roots. I am extremely lucky to follow in the steps of such an inspiring family and to run a bar/restaurant with so much history attached to it. It was in my genes, it is now in my heart!

60

Known as the ‘balcony of the Tarentaise’ for its uninterrupted 180-degree views across the valley, La Rosiere is a ski resort with a difference. Its south-facing slopes are bathed in sunlight from dawn to dusk, making it the sunniest resort. Enjoy the longest bluebird days and make the most of après on the terrace before the evening chill sets in.

Sitting at 1,850 metres, with skiing up to 2,650 metres, in its own microclimate, La Rosiere offers excellent snow coverage too. The 160km of slopes that make up the Espace San Bernardo ski area straddle both France and Italy, so you can experience two countries in one holiday! Ski the long, leisurely runs over to the Aosta Valley for an authentic pasta lunch.

With its pretty wood and stone chalets, La Rosiere has a traditional charm that gives you the feeling you’ve discovered a real

Alpine village. Cosy bars rather than wild nightclubs are at the heart of this family-friendly resort. And because it’s not as busy as its larger neighbours, its off-piste can stay untracked for days. It’s also a very quick trip over the border to where heli-skiing is allowed in Italy.

Dog lovers will fall for the resort mascot – the Saint Bernard. The breed takes its name from the Col du Petit Saint Bernard, where they were trained to rescue travellers in the 1700s.

Get a day pass for the Espace San Bernardo for just €28 when you present your Paradiski or Espace Killy 6-day pass.

Normal price €42.30.

Season passes for Espace Killy and Paradiski include 2 free day passes to the San Bernardo ski area.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

OUTDOOR

ACCESSORIES

TECHNICAL

P R I VAT E A I R P O R T T R A N S F E R S / / / S I N C E 2 0 0 1

LY O N

GENE VA F R O M

€38

STYLISH

CHAMBERY

F R O M

FROM

€34

€45

GENEVA, LYON, CHAMBERY AND GRENOBLE AIRPORTS

QUALITY, HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIAL

LES ARCS - LA PLAGNE - VAL D'ISERE TIGNES - LA ROSIERE - STE. FOY

CREATED FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS

PHONE UK :

0207 183 4886

www.coolbus.co.uk 1 - WAY, PER PERS O N PRIC E FO R A PR IVAT E T R A NS F ER IN A G R OU P OF 8 , T R AV EL L ING M I D WEEK

FULLY CUSTOMISABLE

ORIGINAL DESIGNS

BORN IN TIGNES FIND US IN 40 STORES IN VAL D'ISERE, TIGNES, LES ARCS, LA ROSIERE, SAINTE FOY, LA PLAGNE WWW.JAO-COLLECTION.COM

JAOCOLLECTION@GMAIL.COM

XIJUFSJEFT

888 8)*5&3*%&4 $0 6,

"JSQPSU 5SBOTGFST ( Resort to Resort Transfers and loscal trips)

Competitive prices

Contact us for a quote

#L o v e Ti g n e s

#LoveValdis ere

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

61

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

BREAKFAST / PETIT DEJEUNER Start your day the French way with coffee and croissants. These crescent-shaped buttery pastries have long been a staple of the French diet. They were introduced by sweet-toothed Queen Marie Antoinette, who famously dismissed complaints revolting peasants had run out of bread with the suggestion ‘let them eat cake’. The French expression ‘a great croissant is worth waiting a lifetime for’ is not a sentiment shared by Kanye West, who raps in his song I Am God: “In a French-ass restaurant, hurry up with my damn croissants.” This lyric so offended proud French bakers that they got together to write him an open letter describing the “tender care and craftsmanship” involved and urging his patience.

WE RECOMMEND: CHARDON BLEU PATISSERIE, Tignes Le Lac, for authentic homemade pastries and confectionary served in a quaint tearoom in the Tignes Le Lac Rue de la Poste gallery.

RIZE COFFEE BAR, on Olympique Avenue on the way into Val d’Isere, is known for its expertly-percolated coffees topped with ‘foam art’, and homebaked cakes served in their cosy cafe.

Alternatively, if you're pining for a real English breakfast the fried feast served up at the PETIT DANOIS, Val d’Isere, is the best around.

62

LUNCHTIME SET MENU / MENU DU JOUR They really make a meal of lunchtimes in France. It may sound strange to English workers more accustomed to a grabbing a quick sandwich at the office desk, but throughout France shops close and business is suspended for around two hours for lunch.

It’s quite common to go home and sit round the kitchen table to eat, drink and relax with family and friends. You'll see the pistes empty at 12pm on the dot and start to get busy again around 2pm. Look out for some great value lunchtime set menus (menu/plat du jour). They often come with three courses and wine, so plan for a more leisurely afternoon!

WE RECOMMEND: LE COFFEE, Tignes Val Claret slope-front near Tufs, for its great value and plentiful menu du jour, varied a la carte menu and chilled atmosphere – a sunny lunch on the terrace here will be a holiday highlight.

L'ARMOISE, Tignes Val Claret centre, for an intimate Alpine dining experience with traditional mountain dishes.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

SAVOYARD MEAT & CHEESE

spectacular views over to Val Claret.

In the mountains hearty meals consisting of meat, cheese and potatoes are de rigueur. Before modern transport, when travel in the mountains was extremely difficult, winter diets were limited to what would keep for long periods in storage. Fortunately, all those carbs are just what you need to refuel and warm up after a full day on the hill. Look out for the very cheesy tartiflette, fondue and raclette, and the equally meaty cote de boeuf.

OH LA VACHE, Tignes Val Claret Centre.

This brand new restaurant is all about the best local cheeses and 5-week matured mouthwatering meats, cooked in a special wood charcoal oven.

WE RECOMMEND: RESTAURANT 1789, Val d’Isere. Search out this hidden gem, found down a little path between Bar XV and Baraque opposite the bus station, for its famous cote de boeuf cooked on an open fire in the heart of the dining room.

BAGUS, Rue de la Poste, Tignes Le Lac, serves traditional specialties plus pizzas, salads, fish and a popular children’s menu. The terrace at the back has

PIGNATTA, Tignes Val Claret centre.

Renowned Michelin-star chef Antony Tempesta is behind this winter’s revamped menu, which includes such delights as slow roast lamb and braised beef cheek. They’re still dishing out their signature pizzas and Savoyard classics too.

PEPE 2000, Tignes Val Claret, has been completely renovated this year to offer a modern take on traditional Alpine dining. Watch your food skillfully prepared in the open kitchen, pizza oven and hot dessert counter.

BRASSERIE DU PETIT SAVOYARD, Tignes Val Claret centre. This charming eatery is one of the best places to experience all kinds of Alpine delicacies.

Open from breakfast to dinner.

CHARDON BLEU PATISSERIE, TIGNES LE LAC

GENEPI After your evening meal it’s traditional to have a warming ‘digestif’ – in this region typically genepi, served neat (only for those over the legal drinking age of course). This herbal liqueur is made from the flower of mountain plants that only grow at high altitude. It’s usually around 40% alcohol, with the taste coming from the herb infusion.

RESTAURANT

Discover this exquisite little artisan bakery and tearoom hidden at the back of the Rue de la Poste gallery. Enter opposite the Post Office at SOS Pizza and turn right. The place for perfect pastries, handmade chocolates, confectionary and bread – with everything home made by the friendly patrons. They even have Wifi.

LE 1789

04 79 06 33 35

RESTAURANT L’ARMOISE TIGNES VAL CLARET A cosy restaurant in the heart of Val Claret offering traditional French fayre and Savoyarde specialties. Discover our tasty pizzas, stunning homemade desserts and varied winelist to suit the most discerning pallete. Open everyday for lunch and dinner.

Reservations:

04 79 06 17 89

Le Grand Tichot, Val Claret Tel: 04 79 06 52 97

LA RELAIS DU PETIT SAINT BERNARD LA ROSIERE Hotel**- Restaurant – Bar/snack. Situated at the foot of the nursery slopes, this is the ideal meeting place for lunch or evening meals. The restaurant has a great family atmosphere in a true alpine setting, serving traditional cuisine and mountain specialties.

04 79 06 80 48 contact@petit-saint-bernard.com http://www.petit-saint-bernard.com

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

One of the best kept secrets in Val d’Isere and home to the famous Côte de Boeuf cooked on an open fire in the heart of the restaurant.

A traditional menu of local produce that caters to all tastes.

Owner and local celebrity Minet, his wife Isabelle and their team create a warm and friendly atmosphere every evening.

To avoid disappointment telephone bookings can be made after 4pm every evening.

The restaurant can be found down a little path between BAR XV and Baraque on the main street opposite the bus station.

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

63

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

SK I BIO NIC All keen skiers want to spend maximum time on the hill, but it can be hard on your body.

That’s where Ski-Mojo [www.skimojo.com) comes in. It’s a kind of exoskeleton with knee supports and powerful springs, which take the strain off your legs, reduce hip or knee pain and provide extra power to your turns.

It’s been redesigned this season to make it easier to fit to your ski boots. Former GB skier Ashley Kay describes Ski-Mojo as a ‘life-changing’ bit of kit for people with muscular problems. “They find they can ski much, much longer with it on. The Ski-Mojo can also help off-piste too, as it gives skiers super powered thighs.”

Find Ski-Mojo this winter (RRP £390) at: Twinner Ski One in Tignes Val Claret Nature Esthetique in Les Arcs 1800

S T R E S S B U STER

S AV E O N M O NEY T RANS FERS

Sainte Foy Tourist Office

If you’re running a chalet or hotel you’re likely to have admin coming out of your ears. But despair not, we have news of a clever new software system designed to take care of all aspects of your bookings. ChaletManager is making its way across the Alps as more and more accommodation providers look for a way to relieve the strain. Manage enquiries, guest history, online bookings and much more from wherever you are in the world. It’s always on time, never hungover and doesn’t call in sick on a powder day.

Don’t take our word for it, get a free 30-day trial on their website www.chaletmanager.com.

When you’re paying for ski lessons, accommodation and lift passes you don’t want to be handing over money in bank charges too. Using global money transfer specialists Currencies Direct ( .currencie direc .c ) can save you up to 5% on the fees you’re charged by banks, credit cards and Paypal. They’ve also launched a new service designed specifically for seasonnaires – Horizonsflex ( . ri n ex.c ). It offers flexible financial solutions for people working on short-term contacts across various countries, or who just like to travel.

S KI LIKE A GIRL Andy Parant

B EAT T HE Q U EUES Going off-piste or ski touring in a group can be daunting, so Freeflo Ski has introduced all-female courses for women who love adventure on their own terms. Learn all-terrain skiing including mountain awareness and avalanche transceiver training with intuitive, fun and personal teaching in Tignes, Val d’Isere and La Grave. Other courses and full packages are available. Take your next step and check out . ree i.c .

Style Altitude

It’s all about getting straight on the mountain as quickly as possible once you arrive in resort. If hanging round for your group to be fitted with hire skis isn’t on your agenda, you can now be fitted in the UK and have your equipment ready and waiting for collection in resort. If you’re a group of 10 plus, Pre-Fit will arrange to come and fit you at your preferred time and location. They also offer a unique range of rental clothing, helmets and accessories like GoPros so you don’t have to invest in all the gear yourself. Make an appointment at .prefi l d.c .

64

AN D FINALLY...

Living or working abroad, it’s the little things you miss from home. Cadburys chocolate, Walkers crisps, baked beans, HP sauce and marmite were the most popular food items delivery company Alpine Logistics transported from the UK last year. The vital job of taking supplies up and down the mountain is never boring, they tell us, as they never know what they’ll be delivering next. A stuffed snow leopard in the passenger seat, retired ski lift gondolas, hot tubs, artwork, chalet decor, pinball machines, cats, dogs - they’ve seen it all. For delivery requests to and from the Alps go to www.alpinelogistics.co.uk.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et Little Chicks advert.pdf

1

06/10/2014

15:26

Little Chicks Childcare is a professional & dedicated nannying service ready to entertain your little chicks whilst on holiday in Val d’Isere and Meribel.

ies napp Free es Wip nt ipme & Equ

www.littlechickschildcare.com

All ou r fully q nannies are u paed alified, ha ia ve tric certif icate first aid and h curre o nt CR B ch ld a eck.

For more information please contact Laura: +33 (0)762 702 436 or email laura@littlechickschildcare.com

WEEKLY DELIVERY SERVICE UK - FRANCE - UK

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN A SKI ADVENTURE?

FULLY INSURED, DOOR TO DOOR AN ALL WOMEN SKI ADVENTURE? COLLECTION & DELIVERY Bikes, Skis, Snowboards & Luggage Parcels & Freight We specialise in women-only, introductory backcountry ski courses and advanced on-piste ski instruction in Tignes, Removals Val d’Isere and La Grave.

Full load / Part Load / Single Item Motorbikes Off piste ski coaching, ski touring and women only WANT TO TAKE ski courses based inPART Tignes, IN Val D’Isere and La Grave.

Take your next step and email : info@freefloski.com Or Phone : +44 (0) 745 201 2229 www.freefloski.com

#L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

+44 (0)1908 821210 +33(0)4 13 68 02 46

www.deliveriestothethealps.co.uk UNIT R3/B, MK2 BUSINESS CENTRE MK2 3HU

#L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

65

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

SKI, APRES, SLEEP, REPEAT – THE BEST FORMULA FOR A HOLIDAY, RIGHT? BUT APRES-SKI ISN’T JUST FOR THE BARS; IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO TRY A NEW ALPINE ACTIVITY. YOU MIGHT FIND YOUR NEW FAVOURITE SPORT; YOU’LL DEFINITELY CREATE MORE MAGICAL MEMORIES.

S K I D OO

Shoot around the pistes on these motorbikes on skis after lifts close for a feeling of total freedom on the snow. Drive one yourself or share the experience with a friend. Drivers must be aged 18+, passengers can be as young as 12 (sometimes younger). €65 per skidoo for 20 mins.

H EL IC O P TE R F L I G HTS

Take your camera up way above the peaks for some incredible views of the mountains, glaciers and villages, flying as far as Mont Blanc for a closer look. Bespoke itineraries can be arranged as well as transfers to other resorts. From €69pp for 10 mins.

ICE CLIM BING

Climb a frozen waterfall with high mountain guides, who can find novice or advanced routes up the 200m-high wall of ice. Sessions start after 5pm in La Daille.

ICE DRIV IN G

Test your skills behind the wheel of a BMW, Porsche or Subaru on Tignes’ ice track. Master the techniques of sliding and controlling a high-performance vehicle – or let the professionals test the car to its limits while you sit tight in the passenger seat. From €60.

Galerie des Cimes, opp. Val d’sere bus station www.oxygene-ski.com valdisere@oxygene-ski.com +33 (0)4 79 41 99 58

PARA G L IDIN G

A more natural way to fly above the clouds. Tandem flights take off from the Solaise and can be as tranquil or as exhilarating as you like – soaring slowly or spinning and spiraling. From €80.

S N OW K ITIN G

Be transported to the high, flat tip of the Col du Petit Saint Bernard above the beautiful, sunny resort of La Rosiere to experience being pulled along the snow by wind power. Great for skiers and snowboarders, it’s your very own eco-friendly ski lift. From €121 for 3 hours.

B UN -J

A cross between bungee jumping and skiing, the Bun-J ride (next to Tignes’ Merles chairlift) gives you the chance to experience that fantasy flip while safely attached to elasticated cords. With your harness firmly fixed, ski, snowboard or sledge down a 30m runway and shoot off a 40m drop, somersaulting if you dare. www.bun-j-ride.com

B OW L IN G

The swimming pool in the centre of Tignes Le Lac is a fun place to shelter from the cold with slides, a baby paddling area, bubble bath, waterfall and cave. It’s free to access with your 2 to 15-day Tignes-Val d’Isere ski pass.

A new bowling alley has opened this season in Val d’Isere’s 5* Hotel Les Barmes de l’Ours. The two-lane alley is open to non-residents too. There’s also a kid’s area and snooker table.

Val d’Isere’s impressive Aquasportif centre has a 25m pool with wave machine, water jets and a heated beach. You get a free session with your 2 to 15-day lift pass.

Andy Parant

66

S WIM M ING

Jack’s Club Bowling in Tignes Le Lac (next to Tignespace) offers a family-friendly apres-ski option. Kids will love the arcade games and, no matter who was the best skier of the day, a game of bowls levels the field.

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Agence du Roc Blanc, L e P a l a f o u r, 73320, Tignes +33 479 065 322 w w w. a g e n c e - r o c b l a n c . c o m

Renovation property in Tignes.

Contact Yannick renovation.roc.blanc@wanadoo.fr

#L o v e Ti g n e s

Holiday packages in Tignes.

Discover the resort with family, friends or colleagues.

Contact Pascal travel.roc.blanc@wanadoo.fr

#LoveValdis ere

Holiday rentals Contact Corinne reservation.agence-rocblanc.com

#L ov eL a R os i ere

Investment property in Tignes.

Contact Violette vente.roc.blanc@wanadoo.fr

#LoveStFoy

67

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Drink lots of water to help with energy levels and detoxification. The body is made up of 70% water and a lack of it affects your brain and muscle function, increasing the likelihood of accidents and/or injury.

Drinking alcohol slows your reactions and dehydrates you.

During exercise, sweating, raised metabolism and energy release increase your need for hydration - and at high altitudes the body requires even more water intake.

S I T T I NG AT AN OFFICE DES K , CO MMUTI NG I N T H E CAR - M ODERN DAY LIVING M E A N S M A N Y OF US LEAD RELATIVELY SEDEN TA RY L IV E S . REGULAR EX ERCISE, A BALANC E D DI ET, F RESH AIR AND A HEALTHY WOR K / L I FE B A LA NCE IS T H E BEST PREPARATION FO R A S P O RTS H OLID AY - BUT FOR MANY IT’ S DI F F I CULT T O ACHIEVE. HOWEVER, THE R E A RE S TILL WAYS TO MINIMIS E RIS K AN D AV O I D I N JU RY ON THAT ONCE-A-YEAR, OR EV E N F IRST TIM E EVER, HIGH-IMPACT A D R E N ALINE H OLIDAY…

Cut down on sugars and processed foods that cause inflammation, strip the body of its stored nutrients and hinder proper digestion and vitamin absorption. Carry snacks to nibble on when you’re feeling fatigued to keep energy levels high and take a break if you’re tired – that’s when the majority of accidents/injuries occur.

Work on flexibility, mobility and stability. Skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking injuries tend to occur in backs, shoulders, legs and knees. A personal trainer can advise on core stability exercises for backs, balance and legs. Pilates, yoga, swimming and circuit training will help too.

Sedentary lifestyles can also result in muscle tightness, knots and chronic stiffness and pain. A pre-holiday massage or spa/wellness treatment can help to loosen up the muscles and joints. During the sports holiday too, they’re extremely beneficial in alleviating muscle tightness, fatigue, aches and pains. Keeping joints mobilised and freeing muscles of toxic build-up will help you continue the next day without discomfort and minimise the risk of injury. The same applies to stretching pre-ski and post-ski.

Taylors Therapies offers mobile spa services and wellness treatments in the comfort of your chalet or accommodation.

in Val d’Isere Tourist Office

68

. a l r a l r

erapie .c .u erapie .c .u

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

Val d’Isere Tourist Office

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

Before you hit the hill assuming you’re covered by your ski insurance, check the small print. It could leave you high and dry if: u re in ured n pi e and need a elic p er re cue n acciden appen pi e u e een drin ing alc l u a e par in a i race u re in ured in a lip r all in re r u re in ured in a n par u in ure e ne el e n e ill u decide r an er ac i i li e leig r paragliding

B o w li n g Family entertainment whatever the weather 10 lane bowling alley 4 children’s lanes Friendly bar Arcade games Pool tables Sport TV Open 7 days

Many policies don’t routinely cover you for these things.

Val d’Isere Medival Centre doctor Alan Griffiths says: “I see people come in without the proper insurance daily.

Most people think Carte Neige covers them for any injury anywhere in resort, but unless they’re injured while skiing on piste they’re not covered – for example if they slip and sprain their knee outside their chalet. Even people who do have ‘proper’ insurance don’t realise that they have to pay upfront for treatment normally, then claim it back from their insurer.”

Nightclub Tignes best late night venue International DJs Home to Basestation Seasonnaire favourite Family run bar Open til 4am

Remember to carry your EHIC card with you at all times to access paid-for medical care - but don’t rely on it to cover you for everything. It won’t help you with the cost of a piste rescue, being flown back to the UK or lost or stolen property.

Don’t leave it to the last minute and try to buy insurance once you arrive in resort – most companies won’t offer any cover after you’ve left the UK. Seasonnaires should also check their policy is not voided by a trip home.

Specialist ski insurer MPI Brokers is run by dedicated snowsports enthusiasts and covers you in all the above eventualities. If you’re unsure about your insurance visit their website ( . pi r er .c ) for more information - and make sure you can ski worry free!

# L o v e Ti g ne s

#LoveValdis ere

Images by An

dy Parant

Tignes Le Lac

(between Tignespace & Spar)

Call : 0479 063 995 #L ov eL a R os i ere

#LoveStFoy

69

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

Andy

Para

nt

HIKING The Vanoise National Park was the first in France to be designated a protected natural area. All around our resorts are stunning hiking routes and manned mountain refuges that welcome you with beds, food and drink. Some are so isolated all their supplies are helicoptered in and there’s no electricity so your evening meal is eaten by candlelight.

That’s really getting away from it all.

CLIMBING You need a head for heights to tackle Val d’Isere’s Via Ferrata – a series of iron rungs, cables and bridges set into rock to make climbing routes for all abilities. Scale sheer cliff faces hundreds of feet above the resort and tackle aerial obstacle courses; the reward is a huge thrill and sense of achievement.

Hire a harness and all other safety equipment for the day from Val d’Isere’s Mountain Pro Shop.

FISHING Le Lac de L’Ouillette at 2500m on the Val d’Isere Solaise and Tignes lake are much loved by trout fishermen and make perfect family picnic areas. Fishing passes are available from resort tourist information centres.

70

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

d Va l

u r is e To 'Iser

f ic t Of

Tr is ta n

e

Andy

Shu

P a ra n t

GOLF Tee off on the highest golf course in Europe in Tignes Le Lac. It boasts 5km of fairways with spectacular views, lakes and a restaurant.

BIKING All the chairlifts are adapted to carry bikes and free to use over the summer. Across the Espace Killy, downhill biking trails criss-cross the pistes – from beginner greens to tree-lined enduro routes and cross-country.

The Col de l’Iseran that towers over Val d’Isere is a popular cyclists challenge as it’s famed for being used in the Tour de France. It’s also the highest paved road in Europe.

Gravity Lab offers bike servicing and parts from its premises in the Rue de la Poste gallery in Tignes Le Lac over summer (see p.26).

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n et

the summer calendar are stunt biking, firework displays and traditional markets and fetes.

WATERSPORTS Fire yourself into Tignes lake from the huge waterslide or by bouncing off a massive floating airbag. Alternatively, simply watch the hilarious splashdowns of others from your pedaloe, paddle board, catamaran, zorb or kayak.

Lake activities have been free in recent years with the Sportignes card if you’re staying in resort.

Further down the valley there’s white water rafting, canyoning and more on the rivers.

Contact H2O (www.h2o-rafting.com) or Franceraft (www.franceraft.com).

SKIING Yes, you can still ski on Tignes glacier in summer! There are 20km of pistes plus the snow park – and you can sunbathe in your ski boots on the terrace of the Panoramic restaurant at 3032m.

SHOWS Flyboarding and helicopter lake diving are some of the spectacular shows put on in Tignes in recent years. Staples of

Winemakers from all over the nation converge on Tignes’ summer Fete des Vins de France to offer tastings and expert advice on your tipple. For even more culture, classical music festivals take place in Tignes and Val d’Isere.

The next generation in mountain transport is available for testing at the Electric Vehicle Show held in Val d’Isere in July - from e-bikes and even e-unicycles to cars and snowploughs.

HENS & STAGS Tignes is increasingly popular with stag and hen groups that want an adventure that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

A huge variety of unique adrenaline activities, plus the bars creating a summer apres scene, makes for the perfect group getaway. Day trips are available for white water rafting, canyonning, paintballing and more.

The bonds you make while helping each other scale a Val d’Isere cliffface, or commiserating over a belly flop from Tignes’ lake slide, are the kind that will last forever.

Alpine Antics (www.alpineantics.com) can tailor a package to your group and preferred activities – they’re now taking bookings for Summer 2016.

TA

GE

S C I T N A E ALPIN KE THE PLU

N

gnes i T n i s o d n e h nd Extreme stag a Anleps g i e T h t n i f s o o l d a t n i e p h a encd Etxhtereamdreesntaalgina prices from

Boounke-Snepto2w016 for J

w w w.alpineantics.com

# L o v e Ti g ne s

info@alpinea ntics.com

#LoveValdis ere

+33(0)6 85 20 48 09

#L ov eL a R os i ere

+44(0)7967 728009

#LoveStFoy

71

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

BU LO US TO WI N AN Y OF TH ES E FA PR IZE S, JU ST GO TO WW W. ED GE MA G.N ET /CO

MP ET ITI ON

AD DR ES S. LIK E AN D EN TE R YO UR EM AIL ITT ER PA GE S OU R FA CE BO OK AN D TW NO UN CE D. TO SE E TH E WI NN ER S AN

A set of personalised Poleplant bamboo ski poles. Made right here in the Tarentaise, these natural poles are strong, light, unique and sustainable. Each one is individual and you can also have them customised with a name, motto or logo.

GOTCHAkids vests. Two each month to give away.

Children love these bright, fun vests and with a handle on the back, built-in reins and equipment carriers, you’ll wonder how you managed ski holidays with children without them.

WWW.GOTCHA-KIDS.COM

WWW.POLEPLANT.COM

A Tignes Spirit goody bag worth £100. One prize every month, December to April.

Tignes Spirit is an equipment hire shop in Tignes Le Lavachet. It’s run by top skiers and snowboarders and always packed with the latest gear and brands.

A one-way airport transfer for 4 people, from any airport to any Tarentaise resort, with Whiterides. One to give away each month.

Whiterides offer great value transfers by knowledgeable, friendly drivers 24/7.

WWW.WHITERIDES.CO.UK

WWW.TIGNES-SPIRIT.COM

£50 to spend on Stupid or ASC clothing.

One prize each month.

The Stupid brand was born in the French Alps but now you’ll find their original mountain and surf-inspired clothing in ski shops and boutiques here and in the UK. Last year they launched sister brand ASC. Their motto: “Never take life too seriously, wear your heart on your sleeve, and have the confident fearlessness to jump headlong 100% into everything.”

WWW.STUPIDCLOTHING.CO.UK

www LIVE We’ve got all the lift openings, weather forecasts, travel info and webcams, for each resort, all in one place!

Bookmark it and check before you leave your chalet to get the most from your ski day.

72

LOCAL We’re in resort bringing you all the latest news, events, features and special offers on our website – every day.

g.n a m e g .ed

ESSENTIAL Like our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, and check our mobile-friendly site, to get your regular updates and ensure you never miss a thing.

et

LOCAL - LIVE - ESSENT IA L

w w w. e dge m a g. n e t

VAL D’IS ERE TIGNES L A ROS IERE ST FOY ACCOMMODATION Alpina Lodge. Val d’Isere. www.alpina-lodge.com. +33(0)4 79 41 60 00. info@alpina-lodge.com.

Simply Val d’Isere. Val d’Isere. www.simplyvaldisere.com. +33(0)6 34 40 90 97 / +44(0)345 021 0222.

Chalet Eterlou. Tignes Les Brevieres. www.chaleteterlou.com. +33(0)6 76 13 14 86. enquiry@chaleteterlou.com.

Alpine Antics. Tignes www.alpineantics.com. +33(0)6 78 68 88 25. info@alpineantics.com Ski Bonjour. Tignes & Val d’Isere. www.skibonjour.com. +44(0)1765 677787. ski@skibonjour.com.

Hotel le Cocoon. La Plagne. www.hotel-lecocoon.fr. +33(0)4 79 55 00 26. contact@hotel-lecocoon.fr.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS 1st Lifts . www.1st-lifts.com. +33(0)6 98 21 59 78 / +44(0)7929 726475. info@1st-lifts.com.

Ben’s Bus. www.bensbus.com.

Cool Bus. www.coolbus.co.uk. +44(0)207 183 4886.

Green Rides. www.french-alps-airport-transfers.co.uk. +44(0)203 286 2218. booking@green-rides.com.

Mountain Rescue. www.themountainrescue.com.

Simply Transfers. www.simply-transfers.net. +33(0)4 79 55 56 28. simply-transfers@loyet.com.

Snow Drone. www.snow-drone.com. +33(0)6 16 52 31 14. info@snow-drone.com.

Whiterides. www.whiterides.co.uk. +33(0)6 88 96 68 53. info@whiterides.co.uk.

BARS/RESTAURANTS Cocorico. Val d’Isere. www.cocoricovaldisere.com. +33(0)4 79 24 60 04. victor@cocoricovaldisere.com.

Petit Danois. Val d’Isere, behind bus station. val@lepetitdanois.com.

Restaurant 1789. Val d’Isere, opposite bus station. +33(0)4 79 06 17 89.

Arobaze. Tignes Val Claret centre. FB/arobazecafetignes.

Bagus. Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste. +33(0)4 79 06 49 75 / +33(0)7 70 64 66 58.

Brasero. Tignes Le Lavachet. www.braserobartignes.com. +33(0)9 54 60 90 30. admin@bartignes.com.

Brasserie du Petit Savoyard. Tignes Val Claret centre. www.restautignes.com. +33(0)4 79 06 36 23. Restau.tignes@wanadoo.fr.

L’Armoise. Tignes Val Claret centre, Le Grand Tichot. +33(0)4 79 06 52 97.

Le Coffee. Tignes Val Claret, Tufs font du neige. +33(0)4 79 40 06 05. coffee454@gmail.com.

Marmot Arms. Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste.

O Chalet. Tignes Val Claret. www.restautignes.com. +33(0)4 79 06 39 75.

Oh La Vache. Tignes Val Claret centre, next door to Pignatta.

Pepe 2000. Tignes Val Claret centre. www.restautignes.com. +33(0)4 79 06 38 49. pizzeria2000@wanadoo.fr.

Pignatta. Tignes Val Claret centre. www.lapignatta.fr. +33(0)4 79 06 32 97.

So.Bar. Tignes Le Lavachet.

TC’s. Tignes Le Lavachet. +33(0)4 79 06 46 46.

Underground. Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste, opposite Carrefour. +33(0)6 27 59 38 04.

Queue de Cochon. Tignes Le Lavachet. +33(0)4 79 06 57 33.

Saloon. Tignes Val Claret centre & Val d’Isere. FB/Saloon-Bar-Val-disere.

La Taverne du McKinley. La Rosiere, front du neige. www.latavernedumckinley.com. +33(0)6 73 70 37 68 / +33(0)4 79 58 58. florence.arpin@lemckinley.com.

Relais du Petit Saint Bernard. La Rosiere, front du neige. www.petit-saint-bernard.com. +33(0)4 79 06 80 48. contact@petit-saint-bernard.com.

NIGHTCLUBS Doudoune. Val d’Isere. www.doudouneclub.com. +33(0)7 84 22 36 53. Free pickup bus +33(0)6 01 45 69 07.

Jacks. Tignes Le Lac, next to Tignespace. +33(0)4 79 06 39 95.

CAFES Rize Coffee Bar. Val d’Isere, Portillo, Olympique Avenue.

Chardon Bleu. Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste gallery, opposite Post Office. +33(0)4 79 06 33 35.

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS Medical emergency: 15 Police: 17 Firefighters: 18 European Emergency Services Number: 112 Text Emergency Number for Deaf: 114 British Embassy: +33(0)1 44 51 31 00

74

VAL D’ISERE Securite des Pistes (mountain rescue) +33(0)4 79 06 02 10 Gendarmerie (police) - +33(0)4 79 06 03 41 Medival (English medical centre) - +33(0)4 79 40 26 80 Tourist Information - +33(0)4 79 06 06 60 Centre Aquasportif (swimming pool) +33(0)4 79 04 26 01

CHALET SERVICES Tignes Angels. www.tignesangels.co.uk. +33(0)6 01 24 01 26 / +44(0)7786 405860. vikki@tignesangels.co.uk.

Chalet Manager. www.chaletmanager.com.

CHILDCARE Little Chicks. Val d’Isere. www.littlechickschildcare.com. +33(0)7 62 70 24 36. laura@littlechickschildcare.com.

Little Angels Nannies. Tignes. www.littleangelsnannies.co.uk. +33(0)6 01 24 01 26 / +44(0)7786 405860. vikki@tignesangels.co.uk.

DELIVERIES Alpine Logistics. www.alpinelogistics.co.uk. +44 (0)203 322 6228. info@alpinelogistics.co.uk.

INSURANCE MPI Brokers. www.mpibrokers.com. +44(0)1428 778000. retail.mpibrokers.com/edge.

MONEY TRANSFER Currencies Direct. www.currenciesdirect.com. +33(0)6 81 79 94 24. france@currenciesdirect.com.

HorizonsFlex. www.horizonsflex.com. info@horizonsflex.com.

OTHER ACTIVITIES Evolution 2 (see Ski Schools).

Oxygene (see Ski Schools).

Jacks Bowling. Tignes Le Lac, next to Tignespace. +33(0)4 79 06 39 95.

PROPERTY ECSUS Design Architects. www.ecsusdesign.com. +33(0)6 85 20 48 09 / +44(0)7967 728 009. info@ecsusdesign.com.

Leggett Estate Agent. www.leggettski.com. +33(0)4 77 75 11 21. ski@leggett.fr.

Agence du Roc Blanc Estate Agent. www.agence-rocblanc.com. +33(0)4 79 06 53 22.

SHOPPING Carrefour. Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste. +33(0)4 79 00 99 10. carrefour.montagne.tignes@gmail.com.

SKI SCHOOLS Evolution 2 Val d’Isere, Rond Point des Pistes, Snowberry Shop. www.evolution2-valdisere.com. +33(0)4 79 00 77 29.

Leading Edge. Val d’Isere. www.leadingedgeski.com. +33(0)6 51 79 39 85. enquiries@leadingedgeski.com.

Oxygene. Val d’Isere. www.oxygene-ski.com. +33(0)4 79 41 99 58.

Alpine Logic. Tignes. www.ski-instruction-tignes.co.uk. +33(0)6 75 68 62 38 / +44(0)7860 443698. Celtski2100@aol.com.

Evolution 2 Tignes Le Lac, Ski Set Shop. www.evolution2-tignes.com. +33(0)4 79 08 35 29.

Evolution 2 Tignes Val Claret centre. www.evolution2-tignes.com. +33(0)6 69 54 00 01.

Freeflo. Tignes/Val d’Isere/La Grave. www.freefloski.com. +44(0)745 201 2229. info@freefloski.com.

Snoworks. Tignes/Val d’Isere. St Foy/La Rosiere, www.snoworks.com.

0844 543 0503 / +44(0)870 122 5549. info@snoworks.co.uk.

TDC. www.tdcski.com. Tignes +33(0)6 03 31 43 21. Val d’Isere +33(0)6 15 55 31 56.

Evolution 2 La Rosiere centre. www.evolution2larosiere.com. +33(0)4 79 40 19 80. contact@evolution2larosiere.com.

Evolution 2 Sainte Foy. +33(0)4 79 40 15 29. contact@evolution2saintefoy.com.

SKI/SNOWBOARD GEAR & CLOTHING Berenice. Val d’Isere, Tourist Office Square. +33(0)4 79 55 66 92.

Margherio. Val d’Isere, Rue Principale. www.margherio-boutique.com. +33(0)4 79 06 04 25. Marielle.margherio@gmail.com.

Mountain Pro Shop. Val d’Isere, Olympique Avenue. www.mountainproshop.com. +33(0)4 79 06 02 91. valproshop@gmail.com.

Patagonia. Val d’Isere Village. www.killy-sport.com.

Snowberry. Val d’Isere, Ront Point des Pistes. www.snowberry-valdisere.com.

Tignes Spirit. Tignes Le Lavachet. www.tignes-spirit.com. +33(0)6 03 62 97 10 / +44(0)20 326 4299.

Gravity Lab. Tignes Le Lac, Rue de la Poste, opposite Post Office. www.gravitylab-tignes.fr. +33(0)4 79 00 58 84.

Jao Collection. www.jao-collection.com. jaocollection@gmail.com.

Pre-Fit. www.prefit.me. contact@prefit.me.

Ski-Mojo. www.skimojo.com. +44(0)7786 753267. info@skimojo.com.

WELLNESS TREATMENT Taylor’s Therapies. Tignes. www.taylorstherapies.co.uk. +33(0)6 01 24 01 26 / +44(0)7786 405860. vikki@tignesangels.co.uk.

TIGNES Securite des Pistes (mountain rescue) +33(0)4 79 06 32 00 Gendarmerie (police) - +33(0)4 79 06 32 06 Medical Centre, Le Lac - +33(0)4 79 06 50 07 Health Centre, Val Claret - +33(0)4 79 06 59 64 Tourist Information - +33(0)4 79 40 04 40 Tignespace - +33(0)4 79 40 26 60 Le Lagon (swimming pool) - +33(0)4 79 40 29 95 Maison des Saisonniers - +33(0)4 79 40 09 89

LA ROSIERE & SAINTE FOY Gendarmerie (police) in Bourg Saint Maurice +33 (0)4 79 07 04 25 Sainte Foy Securite des Pistes (mountain rescue) - +33 (0)4 79 06 95 15 La Rosiere Securite des Pistes (mountain rescue) +33 (0) 4 79 40 12 02

When in Tignes I always shop at Carrefour Montagne - it has everything I need and more‌ Open 7.30am to 10.00pm Free hire of 7 days a week fondue & raclette kits when you buy your meat & cheese, for a cosy night in!

Rue de la Poste, Opposite the pharmacy, Tignes le Lac 04 79 00 99 10

carrefour.montagne.tignes@gmail.com

OPEN ALL YEAR

Fresh bread baked in store daily The best choice of fresh fruit and vegetables Home deliveries Home fondue/raclette kits available