IN TIGNES, FREERIDE AND SAFETY GO HAND IN HAND! 

Tignes is renowned for its exceptional off-piste skiing and snowboarding and 4 years ago it decided to put safety at the top of its list of priorities. The aim: to educate and make the general public aware of the basic safety regulations linked with off-piste skiing or snowboarding.

Freeride has always played an integral part in the snowsports culture of Tignes. With its proactive, fun, global and novel approach, Tignes is at the forefront of mountain safety.

1-    STAY INFORMED…FREERIDE POINT

More information is available live from the pistes with 6 information points dedicated to freeriders at strategic points across the ski area, close to the ski patrollers.

The aim: to raise public awareness and provide daily weather information, snow pack evolution information and safety regulation reminders etc. and also an “Avalanche Transceiver Check Point”: a beacon that allows you to check that your transceiver is working properly.

2-    PRACTISE…THE ARVA TRAINING ZONE

Whether you are a budding freerider or a knowledgeable professional, before any trip off-piste you need to visit the “Avalanche Transceiver Training Zone” situated at the heart of Tignes on the banks of the lake. The avalanche transceiver zone consists of 8 beacons buried permanently under the snow which allow you  to learn, practise or perfect your own search technique using your Avalanche Transceiver.

Free entry.. 2 introductory après-ski sessions per week with Tignes’ ski patrollers.

3-    TO GET READY…THE NATURIDES

The 6 “Naturides” are accessible from the Tignes ski area. These are marked black runs that have been made safe but have not been groomed. Therefore, the natural snow conditions are preserved depending on the weather. Why not get those legs going before you let yourself loose on the Big White Playground!

THE S.P.O.T OF TIGNES
Skiing Powder Of Tignes

At the foot of the Aiguille Noire du Pramecou, 2 snowsports zones incorporating 3 snowy playgrounds await you. Which one will you choose?

The Nouvelles Glisses Zone is accessible via the Col du Palet draglift. For freestylers, take air in a snowpark that is accessible to everyone with 25 jumps (table-tops, box jumps, rails etc.). Or if it’s the
boardercross you prefer, then our 800-metre-long course with banked turns and jumps will definitely provide you with a challenge.

The Freeride Zone is accessible via the Col des Vés chairlift. Your desire for freedom will be satisfied with the Guerlain Chicherit Naturide piste: an un-groomed piste that has been checked by the pisteurs, where you can ski on snow “as nature intended”. If you still want more, then the high-mountain Freeride zone is the area for you: an un-groomed, un-marked  zone that has not been checked by the pisteurs, reserved for good off-piste skiers only.

FREERIDE RULES: A DIFERENT WAY OF THINKING

Before going off piste there are a few essential precautions you need to take:

Go equipped: Transceiver, shovel and probe, the survival trio.

Get trained: the ARV A Training Zone is open every day.

Get the gen: Talk to the piste patrol, read the avalanche bulletin and know what it means, consult the snow report for information about the state of the snowpack and how it may react, look at the terrain-reading photographs to locate hazards and the best places to ski depending on how the snow cover has changed.

Get your bearings: The ride up on the chairlift is a good time to prepare your descent, study the terrain and locate the best spots and any possible hazards.

Make friends: Never go off alone! The Freeride Chalet is the place to go to find other riders, vital if you are on your own.

Know your limits: Knowing what you’re capable of is knowing how far you can push it. Don’t overestimate yourself, know when to turn back and stay safe: the freeride basics

Protect yourself: The weather can change quickly in the mountains. Don’t forget to put a fleece, a water bottle and some cereal bars in your backpack!

Know when to turn back: The snow conditions are dependent on a number of weather factors; going down a groomed piste is better than having an off-piste nightmare.

To know more...