fifteenth December 2025 | Jane Peel, Tignes
Sure, it’s near Christmas and there’s heaps to do. However when the early season snow has been so good and there’s 100% sunshine forecast, it might be impolite to not sneak a fast journey to the Alps. NEW
And the place higher to go than Tignes.
Its high-altitude setting is all the time a very good wager for early season turns however, this yr, it’s had a spectacular begin with massive portions of the white stuff falling simply in time for its November twenty second opening.
Even a sudden flip within the climate during the last week, with milder than ordinary temperatures, was certainly unlikely to trigger an excessive amount of harm to the slopes?
I’m glad to report that my assumption was right.
I do know Tignes nicely. I’ve skied right here in each month of the winter season, from December to Might, over time.
So I’m totally conscious how bleak and chilly the months of December and January will be.
Not this yr – or, no less than, not this weekend.
Tignes, Saturday December thirteenth. Picture © PlanetSKI
Tignes, Saturday December thirteenth. Picture © PlanetSKI
Wow. I might hardly have wished for extra for my first outing on skis this winter.
It’s even good sufficient for an al fresco lunch.
Al fresco lunch in December in Tignes. Picture © PlanetSKI
It’s Saturday thirteenth December and it’s actually among the best days of piste snowboarding I’ve had this early in any season.
I’ll by no means tire of views like these….
Tignes, Saturday December thirteenth. Picture © PlanetSKI
Tignes, Saturday December thirteenth. Picture © PlanetSKI
It’s my luck that I get to spend my time blasting across the slopes with the beautiful Margot Sella.
I first met her again in 2010 when she was working for the Tignes ski resort.
She’s now a full-time teacher at ESF.
Reunited with Margot Sella in Tignes. Picture © PlanetSKI
Sunday, December 14th dawns and it’s time for one more early begin to benefit from this whirlwind journey.
It’s the World Cup Males’s Slalom simply over the mountain in Val d’Isere and, with 4 British skiers within the beginning line-up, I’m eager to see no less than a few of the racing.
The quickest method there – and the one with the perfect views – is to take the Olympique gondola all the way down to the underside of the Face de Bellevarde race slope.
Males’s Slalom, Val d’Isere, as seen from the Olympique gondola. Picture © PlanetSKI
I don’t have a public or press ticket, but it surely’s nonetheless doable to catch a little bit of the motion.
World Cup Males’s Slalom, Val d’Isere. Picture © PlanetSKI
From a distance, I can nearly see Laurie Taylor’s first run.
He crosses the road in an outstanding seventh to take the bragging rights as the perfect of the Brits.
Billy Main follows and in addition secures his spot within the second run with an equally spectacular twelfth place.
As all the time, they’re glad to pose for PlanetSKI.
GB’s Laurie Taylor & Billy Main on the World Cup slalom in Val d’Isere. Picture © PlanetSKI
Laurie ended up joint twelfth and Billy twenty fourth.
Sadly, the third Brit within the second run – the nice Dave Ryding – failed to complete.
However what a bit of British sporting historical past – it’s the primary time three GB athletes have made it into the highest 30 of a World Cup race.
In the meantime, away from the racing, there’s simply time for a bit extra of this…
Tignes, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Earlier than it’s time for this…..
Electrical E-buggy, Tignes, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
Now that is one thing utterly new for me – and for Tignes.
An e-buggy is a bit like a go-kart but it surely’s totally electrical and also you drive it on snow.
Evolution 2 has simply launched the exercise in Tignes Val Claret utilizing autos hand-made by a person in Val d’Isere.
It’s open to everybody aged 14 and over – topic to a minimal top requirement – and it’s sensible enjoyable.
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel tries out e-buggying in Tignes. Picture © PlanetSKI
The costs vary from €35 per particular person for 8 minutes to €70 per particular person for a 30 minute (4-5 individuals) or 1 hour (8-10 individuals) race session.
Be warned, the racing will be addictive, although I’m positive my group of 4 was driving sooner than it seems within the video.
And so, all too quickly, my transient pre-Christmas getaway involves an finish.
Was it value enduring two lengthy journey days for simply two full days in resort?
You wager it was!
Tignes, France. Picture © PlanetSKI
MORE INFORMATION
To search out out extra about snowboarding in Tignes, go to the resort web site.
The Evolution 2 E-Buggy expertise
Jane stayed on the Resort Taos in Tignes le Lac.
Jane’s meals suggestions:
Le Drole d’Endroit, Tignes le Lac (new this season, was once a storage)Le Bollin, on the slopes on the high of the Bollin carry above Val ClaretKodo, Tignes le Lavachet (tiny place, nice Asian meals)Alberto, Val Claret (was once Le Espresso)Chez Juliane, Tignes le Lac (new this season)
And in case you fancy some apres-ski with dwell music, attempt Cocorico in Val Claret, subsequent the bottom station of the funicular.
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