Venue - Tignes, France
Tignes began it’s life in the 13th century with 2 villages, Brevieres and Tignes itself, as farming communities. In 1952 the dam was finished against huge opposition from the people of Tignes, as the dam meant that the village would be completely buried beneath the newly created Lac Du Chevril. In 1957, the inhabitants of Tignes decided to set up a ski resort, and money from the Government meant that Tignes could re-invent itself into the ski resort we see today.
The main resort of le Lac is located at a height of 2,100m with Val Claret just a little higher at the foot of the glacier, and le lavachet situated just below le Lac. Tignes les Boisses is located just on top of the dam, and Tignes Les Brevierres remains as it has done at the base of the dam. With the neigbouring ski resort of Val-d'-Isère, Tignes has set up the big ski domain called Espace Killy.
Tignes is also a famous summer resort - In 1973, the glacier of la Grande-Motte (3,430 metres above sea level) was made available for summer skiing, with a funicular railway servicing the resort since 1993. From 7am skiers are out under a blue sky, and Tignes has great summer skiing with 16 ski lifts and over 20 km of runs & a vertical drop of over 750 m. The skiing area closes around lunchtime when you see that Tignes is transformed into a sports haven: the Le Lac nursery slope snow melts exposing volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, a football pitch, tennis courts, table tennis and table football. In the same area you shall also discover the skate park with skateboarders, BMXers and roller bladders both learning the ropes and displaying jaw dropping tricks. Along the lake side path, you will be drawn to "Acroland" either to watch or try on the trampolines, bungee, water slide and for those daring enough to partake in 'the water jump' where people on snowboards, ski's and roller blades, are launching themselves off one of the four jumps and diving straight into the lake.
Tignes also boasts the highest 18 hole golf course in Europe which winds its way around the picturesque lake. A great option is to buy a ski/golf ticket which allows you to ski in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.
Other popular sports include mountaineering, horse riding, rock climbing, hiking, adventure trails, quad biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing and more!
In June 2006 la lagoon opened it’s doors hosting a 25 metre pool, kid's pool, water slides and a spa centre with sauna/jacuzzi/steam room and gym.
