Issue 14 - about james / projects

2
W
going underground
Things used to be simple here, boring even, now we’ve got
one of the best freesports events in Europe, so much media in
resort that you can hardly turn a corner without tripping over a
cameraman, nightlife that goes off and heli-drops on Chardonnet.
(Sorry, didn’t have to put that in, and it was a one off, but I am
rather stoked about the heli ride, and it was quickest hike I’ve
ever had to Grapillon… now I’ll shut up and stop being smug).
L
hat is happening
in Tignes ?
james vernon finds a pub crawl with
french friends provides a different view
of val claret
ast Monday I went on a
voyage of discovery.
Bringing back-flipping moto-cross riders to Tignes might not be
the most obvious way to promote a ski-resort, but if anything
expresses the new vibe in town it’s that. Hard riding, hard
partying, brash, young and fun, Tignes is being reborn and
there’s no better ski resort to be in.
A French colleague lost out on his deal for accommodation during the Airwaves
event, in the ensuing phone conversation I ended up offering him the spare bed in
my apartment for the week.
Of course a little snow would be nice.
Grizzly’s Bar
Hearing that Sport+ were showing footage of the Tignes Airwaves in Grizzly’s we
armed ourselves with snowshoes and beartraps and headed for the corner of the
Rocky Mountains that has somehow found it’s wasy to Val Claret. Cold hands were
warmed by the log fire, furs and rugs added further to the ‘I’m not going to leave here
in a hurry’ ambiance and vin chauds were consumed with considerable rapidity.
But it’ll come, you’ve got to believe it, and even with the limited
snow that we have, there’s still plenty of enjoyment to be had on
the slopes and off.
You’ve just got to look a little harder.
Have a great week and stay safe,
James.
Being a media type he expected to go out on the town every night. Now this wasn’t a
problem for me, however in the spirit of furthering Anglo-French relations we headed
for some of the more interesting French bars in Val Claret.
Surrounded by carvings and North-American paraphernalia it would have been
easy to imagine that we were in the states had it not been for the fact that we were
speaking French…
The bill proved relatively hefty, but then you get what you pay for and there aren’t too
many pubs with the unique and cosy atmosphere that Grizzly’s offers.
A must.
tignesscene
the
contents
2. classy french bars in val claret
3. the essential guide - Skiing and snowboarding
4. The ESSENTIAL guide - ACTIVITIES
5. tash - profile of a photographer
6 - 7 Tignes Airwaves
8. Gonzo the amazing alpine agony dog, weather
and snow conditions, more airwaves
9. The ESSENTIAL guide - Restaurants
10. The ESSENTIAL guide - BArs and clubs
11. Lies, Lies, Lies
12. what’s on this week & photo Gallery
Le Studio
Last year a kids clothing shop in the Sefcotel building was transformed in to an
intimate wine bar. This year it’s metamorphasised again and now sells beer and
the rest as well as wine ! It’s retained a unique atmosphere and added a somewhat
crazed vibe to the mix..
Stumbling from Grizzly’s, snowshoes and beartraps forgotten, we headed over the
‘square’ to the Studio.
By then we were three and the barman was instantly enamoured of the female
member of our group, demanding if we were from Alsace (none of us were) the table
was cleared and drinks brought with speed, efficiency and rather amusing banter.
Tucked in a corner we observed the mixed (though mainly French) crowd as fueled
by good wine and excellent music they got into the groove and and went on to prove
that they could boogie with the best of them.
A great discovery, the Studio is a good choice for anyone who appreciates an
eclectic music collection and bar-staff with something to say. Good fun.
Le Caveau
Lurching out of the Studio, it occurred to us that live music would be a really good
idea, so we headed over to the Caveau.
Widely renowned as one of the best restaurants in resort, the Caveau is less well
known as a bar.
But it should be.
There’s live music every day except Saturday, Thierry, restauranteur, mogul skier
and owner loves his blues and that’s exactly what you get, rock and blues 6 days a
week.
Crossing the straw-covered threshold we could sense that this was going to be
something different and it was. A happy crowd, many of them well fed after dining
on the restaurant’s delectable fusion cuisine, were in a party mood. Actually ‘crowd’
probably isn’t the word to use to describe the people in the bar, as the Caveau is far
too refined for mere ‘crowds’.
The Caveau is as it’s name suggests, cavelike, rustic and with a local charm that
is missing in some many establishments in resort. By then my French companions
were most certainly charmed and I was feeling quite chuffed at my skills as a guide
round Val Claret’s more intimate night-spots, and managing to stay more sober than
them.
Suddenly Mae-Lise looked at her watch, did a double-take, and announced that it
was her birthday…
…I wouldn’t stay sober for long.
3
the essential guide - ski and snowboard
T
o every skier or boarder time is a premium.
The holidaymaker with 6 days skiing
every year wants the maximum bang for their
buck, seasonaires juggling work and fun want
to be on the hill as quick as possible to get
max runs before the grind. To the majority
of holidaymakers or workers in Tignes, the
nearest lift is but a hung-over stumble from their
accommodation, and skiing home is largely a
question of within how many yards you can get
to the door. With an altitude of 2100m you’re
pretty much guaranteed snow to resort level
from late November to mid-May. In this era
of climate change we’re laughing – we’re not
missing turns because of gas-guzzling cars,
(or cows breaking wind, or whatever the latest
theory blames…). The lifts are generally quick,
and those that are less speedy are being
replaced with an investment plan that’s large
enough to get a US President elected, so we
spend more time doing what we’re here for careering down hills.
So once you’re here, were should you go ?
Well everything isn’t for everybody, so here’s a
few tips depending on your ability / interest.
Piste Cruisers
Queues are hell.
There’s an urban myth that we Brits love them,
we don’t believe it.
Luckily we rarely have them in Tignes, but
during the busiest weeks of the season there are
one or two things you can do to avoid them.
1. Get up early – the queues start around 10.
2. Take an early lunch – the pistes empty
between 12 and 2pm
3. Avoid bottlenecks at peak times – ie the lifts
returning from Val d’Isere or Brevieres.
The blast from the top of the Grande Motte
to Val Claret is great first thing in the morning
(though cold !), Genepi (again on the Grande
Motte) is great for views and a taste of isolation.
Head over to the Aiguille Rouge for some sundrenched cruisers over towards Tignes Les
Brevieres, just watch out for the mid afternoon
queues caused by the lunchtime exodus to the
lowest resort of Tignes.
Off-Piste Introduction
This year Tignes are leading the field with a
dedicated area for backcountry freestyle and a
training ground for avalanche safety and rescue.
Head to the Col de Ves lift, and the newly
christened S.P.O.T. ( A silly name for a very
good idea). Learn how to use your transceiver
from the Pisteurs based there, then check out
the kickers and backcountry playground that the
lift offers.
Val d’Isere
For those in the know, grins can be found in the
Brevieres and Fornet trees, just make sure you
know where you are going, ‘cos there’s some big
old cliffs hidden away that you really don’t want
to fall off.
Chardonnet is always a favourite, with its steep
chutes and long open runout, Grapillon great
for leaving tracks where they’ll stay untouched
for a few days, and La Grande Balme for those
who value exposure and the unique thrill given
by skiing in no-fall zones. No more details will be
given here, if you’re up to skiing this terrain, you
can find out yourself…
You might have noticed that there’s a
moderately famous resort on the other side
of the hill. Whilst Tignes is undoubtedly the
greatest, best most fun etc etc Val d’Isere (or
just ‘Val darling’ if you’re a Brit and live over
there) should not be overlooked.
ALL OFF PISTE ROUTES ARE SUBJECT TO A
MULTITUDE OF DANGERS. PROFESSIONAL
ADVICE AND ACCOMPANIMENT IS
ESSENTIAL.
Head up to the top of Solaise for sunny cruisers,
Le Fornet for tree skiing at its best and the
Manchet Valley for peace and solitude. La Face
is invariably icy, usualy mogully (is that a word
?) but always challenging, and the Funival is a
great tool for getting maximum vertical meterage
in eye-watering descents down Orange.
Bureau des Guides : 04 79 06 42 76
E.S.F. : 04 79 06 30 28
Evolution 2 : 04 79 06 43 78
Snocool : 04 79 40 08 58
Tetra Hors-Piste : 04 79 41 97 07
Again, leave plenty of time to get back to Tignes
!
Freestylin’
We’re promised a great park this year, so fingers
crossed…
Take the Tichot lift up
from Val Claret to check
out the snowpark and
its 2 pipes, huck on the
backcountry kickers at
Col de Ves, then head
over to Val d’Isere for
more hits and rails at
their park.
For the Hardcore
Even on the worst
weather days there’s
no excuse (with the
exception of avalanche
risk) for not skiing.
Mountain Guides :
Most of the above also offer instruction (with the
exclusion of the Bureau des Guides), other ski /
snowboard schools worth checking out are :
Surf Feeling : 04 79 06 53 63
333 Ski and Snowboard School : 04 79 06 20 88
Kebra Surfing : 04 79 06 43 37
the essential guide - resort activities
S
ki Resorts often seem so ski /
snowboard - centric that there’s little
else to do off the slopes.
Thankfully this is less and less the case in
Tignes, with businesses gearing up to cater
for everybody’s needs - skier and non-skier
alike. Most activities do involve some level
of physical exertion, but don’t be put off, try
something adventurous and it could prove
an unforgettable experience.
For the adventurous :
Ice Diving - Sounds cold, wet and
unpleasant, Gaby tried it last year and
found that it was great fun. The kit keeps
you warm and it’s definitely something to
tell your friends back home ! Not for the
claustrophobic. (Evolution 2)
Ice Climbing - Slipping around the resort
on city-cool shoes may give you a bad
impression of ice, it’s bad enough to walk
on, let alone climb up ! However under the
instruction of a professional, with the proper
gear and know-how, you too can live out
4
your Sherpa Tenzing fantasies and discover
the beauty of frozen waterfalls from the
closest range possible. (Evolution 2, E.S.F,
Bureau des Guides)
leisurely tour of the valley on cross country
skis, both Evolution 2 and the E.S.F. offer
lessons in this underrated sport.
For the healthy :
Skidoo - For boys (and girls) who like toys,
razz around on a skidoo following your
guide, just don’t get too excited, they cost a
lot of money ! (Evolution 2)
Relax, work out, or swim in one of Tignes
several wellness centres (* denotes
swimming pool as well).
Paragliding - A unique way to experience
the valley - from above ! A must do for
anyone who’s ever dreamed of flying.
(Paragliding School - 06 09 40 05 74,
Evolution 2)
Aeroplane Trips, mountain flying lessons
- Ever landed on a glacier ? Now you can...
(Aeroclub du Palet - 04 79 06 57 60)
Helicopter Trips - Jump in and head off to
Mont Blanc for the ride of your life ! All of the
ski schools offer this, too many to fit here !
For the easygoing :
Snowshoeing - Snow sucks to walk in, your
feet sink, snow gets
in your socks, it takes
ages to get anywhere
and cold feet mean
chillblains when
warmed up. Put on
snow shoes however
and you float on top,
great for peaceful
walks in nature
(especially down
in Brevieres) and a
different view of the
winter wonderland.
(Evolution 2, E.S.F.)
Cross Country Skiing
- If heights aren’t your
thing, then take a
Altitude Spa (Hotel Les Campanules - Le
Lac Le Rosset - 04 79 06 34 36)
Les Bains du Montana (Les Almes - 04 79
40 05 12)*
Vitatignes (Hotel Arbina - Le Lac Le Rosset
- 04 79 06 34 78)
Centre Aquatonic (Le Val Claret - 04 79 40
25 56)
Tignespace (Le Lac - 04 79 40 04 40)
For Animal Lovers :
Husky Driving and Rides - Ever fancied
yourself as an Eskimo ? Now’s your chance
to give it a go... (Evolution 2)
Ski-Joering and Horse Riding - Ski Joering
lets you induldge in your Ben Hur fantasies
by being towed behind a horse on your
skis (well Ben Hur had a chariot, but if he’d
been in Tignes he’s have used skis !), and
Horse Riding is exactly what it suggests.
(Evolution 2)
For the techno-freaks :
Since broadband arrived in Tignes there are
an increasing amount of bars with internet
connections, Tignes Multimedia (Le Lac
- the Tignespace) has the largest collection
in any one place, and is also free from fags
and booze. Tons of titles for the gamers
amongst you, as well as printing and digiphoto facilities. Two Amusement Arcades
exist, one at Jacks Club (Le Lac), and one
in the Sefcotel building in Val Claret.
In the evening :
There are two cinemas in Tignes, one
in the Parking du Golf (Val Claret) and
one by the petrol station in Tignes
le Lac. Watch out for films marked
V.O.S.T. - it means they’re in their
original language, so any US/UK films
will be in English.
Battle your friends at the Bowling (By
Jacks Club, Tignes Le Lac), and watch
out for any of the cultural events or
concerts that regularly take place at the
Tignes Espace.
Contacts :
Bureau des Guides : 04 79 06 42 76
E.S.F. : 04 79 06 30 28
Evolution 2 : 04 79 06 43 78
5
PROFILE - Tash
This week, gaby de pace chats to Tash, a freelance photographer, on moving from the
equestrian arena to the mountains, sculpture to photography and horses to pro-riders.
This determined streak, one which was first realised in the
equestrian arena, comes in very handy for this job. Questioning
Tash about what exactly her job involves, you come to realise that
she works very hard and has to do some quite daunting things.
Having only started riding when she first came out to Tignes,
she’s had to push her snowboarding ability as fast as possible to
be able to do her job. On every shoot, she’s expected to keep up
with the professional riders and to get in to the best spot for the
photos. Add to that the fact that she has to ride a bigger board
because of her camera pack which weighs about two stone. All
of that turns chilled freeriding into flying round turns and being
propelled head first down couloirs.
S
itting in her cosy living room surrounded by her photographs
of boyfriend, pro-rider and park builder, Graham MacVoy,
Tash and I talk about how all this happened.
She grew up riding horses competitively for a living and running
her own business. At the age of 20, she decided to go to
university to study sculpture. After completing her degree, she
moved to Scotland where she met Graham who was on his way
out to do a season in Tignes. So, as part of a plan to go travelling
around the world, Tash decided to come and have a look at the
mountains.
Talking about how this visit to the mountain became a career,
Tash says that “within a season of living with boyfriend MacVoy
and James McPhail (Whitelines senior photographer), she
decided that buying a camera and doing something better than
being a chalet bitch” was where she wanted to go.
Thriving on the freedom of being able to do things that are
basically based outside everyday, Tash used her art school
experience to improve her photography, experimenting with
different compositions and frames. After submitting some shots
to a selection of UK magazines, snowboarding mag Document
published one of her shots.
Three seasons later, Tash is enjoying a successful career as a
freelance photographer and has been published in all the UK
magazines. Asking about what her job involves, she explains
that working as freelance, she has to initiate everything from
organising the skiers and boarders for a day’s shooting to editing
all the photos she takes. There’s no kind of script provided by a
magazine to work to which means that she has to get as many
different types of shots as possible. At the end of each season,
she has to pick out the best shots, around thirty shots and a
couple of sequences out of about a thousand shots to submit
to magazines. She admits to being “anally perfectionist” over
the shots submitted. One of her pet hates is seeing a talented
photographer submit second rate work just to fill space.
I ask her about the perception that professional snowsports are
still dominated by men. Her response is heartening, “It is still male
dominated but it is starting to change and girls aren’t just coming
out here to have jobs in bars and chalets, they actually want to
come out here to become professional boarders and skiers. The
problem is that boys are just braver at having no money and to
do a ski season, you tend to have no money if you’re trying to be
a professional. And girls I know like to being able to do what they
want to do and buy what they want to buy”
“At the moment it is easier to get shots of girls published than
boys because if a girl is half way good, then the magazines want
to publish their shots. However, what I hope will happen is that
more and more girls will turn professional and it’ll be more difficult
for girls to get shots. Girls in the past have been able to do a nice
360 on a medium kicker and they’ve called it quits at that. That’s
changing now and there are some pretty extreme freeride lines
and proper tricks being put down Locally as well, loads of Tignes
seasonaires that are really pushing it now.”
Asked about her future plans, Tash says she wants to get
back to the galleries but still use photography. The connection
between the alps and art? “it’s like putting together your own little
installation and throwing action men off the top of the kickers and
seeing if you can make a picture out of it.”
Skier in pipe, photo by Tash.
6
surfing tignes airwaves
tignes airwaves went off, james vernon investigates, tony edwards snaps the pics.
T
wo weeks ago there were a few worried people in Tignes.
The idea had seemed sound.
Tignes needs to get trendier, the twenty to thirtysomething bracket brings it’s own
financial rewards with it when it comes on holiday and Tignes Airwaves had been
conceived as the event that was going to put Tignes firmly back on the international
snowsports map of cool.
Sponsors were found, from chewing-gum to car manufacturers, media partners
sought and enthused and a prize purse of €55,000 put up for grabs. The event was
to be monstrous for a first-year in the game, and the media coverage would ensure
that any rider who didn’t make it this time would move heaven and earth to get into
the competition next time round.
Skiercross competition is merciless. It’s tactical, it’s a contact sport, whatever they
say, and judging by the carnage over the first couple of jumps, it can also be pretty
scary. Whatever else it is, it’s great watching, and three action packed rounds of
qualifiers saw 6 of the world’s best skiercross competitors lined up in the starting
gate.
Enak Gavaggio was favourite, before a home crowd he had it planned out. Drawing
what seemed to be the short straw in positioning for the start he planned to turn it
into an advantage by staying wide and taking a faster line into the first turn.
The start gate slammed down, 6 adrenaline-pumped athletes hurtled over the
whoops and Enak set up for his move, two skiers across there was a jostle, Enak’s
neighbour was forced into him, and Enak was off the course and out of the race.
That’s skiercross.
The core of the competition was to be the the skiing and snowboarding events;
skiercross, half-pipe and slopestyle. Representing the most visual elements
of snowboarding and new-school skiing they would make for a series of TV
programmes that would catapult Tignes into the headlines and the ski-industry’s
consciousness. Motorsports would add to the attraction skidoos, snowhawks, quads
and motorbikes would rev the crowd with screaming engines and gonad-shriveling
air, and other ‘extreme’ sports such as mountain biking and snow-biking would
complement the spectacle.
Ahead Manfred Gstatter (AUT) managed to hold off his opponents and sizzled his
way to a scorching victory, punching the air with joy as he crossed the finish line.
Manfred received his trophy and €7000 from a scantily clad stripper named Clara,
the young lady in question hid the silcone with a rather scanty US flag print bra and
knickers. He seemed quite pleased, Ophélie David, winner of the female competition,
looked rather confused…
Then it didn’t snow.
Later someone asked Enak again what he thought about the course.
Panic began to set in.
“Great” he said.
But somewhere in the corridors of Tignes’ power someone had their head screwed
on. Not panicking, they set out to simply make it happen. Not enough snow ? Then
make it, or drag it there. Not enough groomers ? Then get more down there, ignore
the price , just get the job done.
If he could say that having had victory snatched away then it had to be good.
Monday 10th arrived and the panickers and doubters had to eat their words. The
competition was on and everything augured well. Tignes Airwaves was not a pipedream of the deluded, but a loud, boisterous, in-your-face reality.
Monday 10th – Skiercross
Skiercross Enak Gavaggio, Les Arcs local and X-Games skier cross champion made
a big call after checking out the course for the first time..
“It’s awesome, it’s the best course I’ve skied since the X-Games”
Several of his rivals didn’t agree.
Daunted by the arial nature of the course with its many jumps and whoops some of
the more downhill-orientated competitors backed out at the last minute, preferring
courses that more resemble pistes than the madmans snowpark that seemed to
have been used as a model for this design.
Out of the starting gate 6 competitors would have to battle over two whoops to make
it to the first corner at the front. Two vicious jumps followed in quick succession,
leading into 4 evil whoops, waiting to spit out the unwary and crash them back down
on the icy course. A series of steep banked turns, cross-slope jumps with off camber
landings, and a final sprint to the finish followed.
The race lived up to expectations.
Tuesday 11th – Ski Half-Pipe
Shhhh, don’t tell anyone, especially those living over in Val d’Isere but Tignes has a
new pipe machine.
Fresh out of its wrapper (or whatever something like that comes packaged in) Alex
Mocellin, cat driver and Tignes’ pipe shaper was asked to shape a pipe worthy of an
international competition.
Lacking snow the cannons were put to work and lo as pipe training day (Monday 10)
7
arrived there was a pipe.
A rather large one.
It was by no means perfect, but it was huge and by far the best pipe that Tignes has
ever had. Perfection is something to be strived for of course and we have Alex’s
assurance that he’s going to do a lot of striving this season, it’s only going to get
better.
Local skier Woodie Bouma was feeling good the day before the competition.
Spinning 900s in the new pipe the old skills were coming back, not to be outdone
Arnaud Rougier, Tignard exiled to Annecy, was going huge.
Then Laurent Favre, French teen skiing sensation turned up and the air just got
bigger.
Competition day dawned and it was cold, a slight oversight in organization (A small
glitch in an otherwise impeccably run event) meant that the first two of every riders
allotted three runs were held in the shade. Definitely chilly.
Arnaud Rougier was leading the Tignes locals attack, Woodie had a crash and just
didn’t feel as on it as the day before, and the new pipe’s slightly uneven walls proved
a challenge to all competitors. There were spectacular tricks all round, but Tanner
Rainville (USA) proved to be the only skier on the day who could both style it and
remain consistent. Laurent Favre was close behind, followed by Rougier, putting a
Tignes skier on the podium !
Airshow and Big Air
Recipe :
3 Snowhawks
1 Skidoo
3 Motocross bikes
3 Mountain bikes
2 Snowbikes
1 Quad
30 Skiers and Snowboarders
Several kickers
1000 spectators
1 huge sound system
Method :
Leave ‘til dark, then mix vigorously and aim at kickers
Result :
One amazing show, backflips on motocross bikes, crashed backflip on a quad, huge
airtime on skidoos and snowhawks, less huge airtime on mountainbikes, tailwhips
and supermen on snowbikes, skiers and snowboarders spinning every which way,
bangin’ tunes and hollering crowd.
Wednesday 12th - Slopestyle
The culmination of the freeestyle ski and snowboard events, this course was
probably the biggest challenge for the snow-starved team in charge of making the
event happen. Snow was begged, borrowed, made and stolen and the resulting
course was epic.
Four kickers, one down rail, two kinked rails (one with a double kink) and two
straight rails, all perfectly shaped made for a slopestyle event that was bound to go
off. Photographers and cameramen hogged every available bit of space round the
‘road-gap’ kicker and the stage was set for some serious action.
(contd p8 col 2)
8
Gonzo, our internationally
Famous amazing alpine agony dog,
solves your problems and saves
lives...
A spectator friendly format of alternating skiers and boarders was a popular choice,
demonstrating the differing styles of each discipline and keeping it varied.
Anthon Holland (SUI) dominated the snowboard event, winning by a confortable
margin, whilst the skiers event was hotly contested by an all-star field.
Larent Favre (FRA) held off challenges by Charles Gagnier (CAN) and Tanner
Rainville (US) do take the honours, a cheque for €7000 (not a bad two days work
when you consider that he won €4000 in the half-pipe event…).
What an event, what a huge job and what a great time !
Dear Gonzo,
I have noticed, whilst out for a stroll, that there seems to be a large quantity of canine
faeces in Tignes.
Please can you have a word with your four-legged friends and put a stop to this foul
behavior !
Yours sincerely,
Prudence Does-Well
Dear Prudence,
Personally I have never been bothered by the extensive collection of
works of art proudly displayed by my fellow canine artists. However
I have been particularly disturbed by the amount of fag-butts
dropped on our toilets !
Please have a word.
Thanks,
Gonzo
Dear Gonzo,
My friend Chipie reckons that you can catch big trout in the lake in the summer – is
this true ?
Yours aquatically,
Courtney Fish
Dear Courtney,
Fresh fish are particularly
hard to catch during
the winter in Tignes.
However it is Dirty Trout
season and you may
find that they catch you
rather than the other way
around. Just remember to
keep your waders on and
you’ll be all right.
Gonzo
Woof
and the weather ?
As we write this, the forecast for the week ahead is for sun, sun
and more sun so grab your deck chair and head up the hill for
some ski holiday tanning. That said, it’s probably far better to
believe the many rumours of impending snow and hope that with
a bit of a snow dance and a jig, we’ll get a good dump this week.
Meanwhile, look on the bright side – the pistes are in far better
condition than they could be and if you stay in the sun, you can
more or less avoid the icy perils. Remember though when you do
come across them, to be careful as the hard surfaces on the icier
bits are causing lots of broken wrists. Pistes such as the Grattalu,
Piste H and the Palafour are all still good for practising on with
lots of soft spots.
So, here’s to hoping for some more snow…
Spread the word, Tignes is where it’s at.
But don’t spread it too much !
9
the essential guide - restaurants
Restaurants
Le Caveau – Perhaps one of the most stylish
and atmospheric restaurants in town, The
Caveau never fails to exceed expectations for a
special night out. Dine lavishly and then sit back
and enjoy listening to the blues band with a full
stomach. Although not cheap, it is possible to
eat on a budget with their set menus (€24.50/
€30). Top tip: the specials here are out of this
world.
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06 52 32)
Clin d’Oeil – One of the top restaurants in
resort, the Clin d’Oeil is intimate, charming and
devoted to giving you an amazing night out.
With an ever changing menu that offers some
of the best combinations of French cuisine and
choices from the local vineyards, this restaurant
is a must.
Menu prices: €35 for a full three course meal /
€26 for 2 course / €16 for one course.
(Le Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 59 10)
Saint Jacques – A bit of a seasonnaire’s
favourite, this Belgian/Savoyard restaurant
guarantees a great night out. As well as the
cook-your-own stuff, Saint Jacques specialises
in oysters, mussels (in about 6 different ways)
and tuna tartare. Set menus: €25 / €32. An
added extra bonus is the 40+ selection of
Belgian beers they have on offer. Try the Quak
beer (it’s better than Mutzig!).
(Val Claret Centre - 04 79 06 48 33)
L’Arbina – The first floor restaurant of L’Arbina
is universally known as a place for special
occasions. With a menu that includes oysters
and other such delicacies, the Arbina attracts
some of the more affluent people in resort.
(Le Lac Rosset - 04 79 06 46 83)
La Ferme des 3 Capucines – Translated
as “The Farm”, this restaurant really is a farm.
Whilst the smell of farmyards may not be
everybody’s thing a unique atmosphere is the
result and what better place to eat traditional
savoyard dishes than a savoyard farm ?
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 35 10)
Le Bouchon Montagnard – A favourite of
the French locals and is always an entertaining
and fun night out. Meet Alain, your host, sit back
with a bottle of wine and be entertained by his
amazing repartée. The duck dishes are always
exceptional.
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 51 44)
The Loop – Sit on the sunny terrace at
lunchtime or snuggle up to the open fire for a
cosy dinner. Choose from the varied menu of
everything from steak frites to paninis to crispy
duck and pancakes. The specials here are
always amazing and a culinary delight.
(Le Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 30 61)
Restaurant la Poutrerie – Eat your fill at
the new steak house in the Mover Café. Try
the succulent kangaroo or the huge Yeti steak
which at 500g will challenge even the biggest
appetites. Start your meal off with a cocktail and
some tapas at the bar.
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06 32 64)
Harri’s Bar – Harri’s Hot Rocks are a musteat during your visit. Sample some traditional
Savoie fayre on the cook-your-own Pierrade - a
hot stone on which you cook prawns, meat and
vegetables. Definitely one of the more sociable
nights out. Burgers, steaks, nachos and paninis
also on offer to refuel for an evening out. Stoke
up for the journey home on Saturdays with a
monster english breakfast.
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 57 33)
Alpaka Lodge– This hotel restaurant serves
a set menu each night of all varieties. Try the
Sunday roasts. Book a table for a night of tasty
food.
(Le Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 45 30)
Bagus Café - Odd name, but excellent food.
Dishes range from the exotic to the local staples.
A young team provide for an excellent evening
out (or lunch !).
(Le Lac - 04 79 06 49 75)
L’Indochine – The only oriental restaurant in
Tignes, L’Indochine does some great all-youcan eat buffets for reasonable prices. Sate your
Chinese food addiction here.
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06 08 07)
Traditional Savoyard/
Pizza Restaurants
Traditional Savoyard Restaurants. Raclettes,
fondues, tartiflettes… cheese, cheese and more
cheese for a link to the local past.
Petit Savoyard – All the usual but with some
great salads and fish dishes. (Menus €14 / €17
/ €21.50)
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06 36 23)
Pizza 2000 - Looking for a quick pizza?
Well as the name suggests, this restaurant
specialises in pizzas. Always a good choice if
you’re in a rush and on a budget.
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06 38)
La Pignatta - Great pizzas in a characterful restaurant
that also offers dishes ranging from tartiflette to fondue.
(Val Claret Centre - 04 79 06 32 97)
La Caleche – Does a great version of Coq
au Vin with the local Gamay wine as well as
Partridge in mushroom sauce. (Menu €16)
(Le Lac Bec Rouge – 04 79 06 50 80)
L’Arbina (downstairs) – Cheap Savoyard
food and pizzas
(Le Lac Rosset - 04 79 06 46 83)
L’Escale Blanche – The usual but with
brilliant salads. Try the Salad Escale Blanche.
(Le Lac Rosset - 04 79 06 45 503)
Le Brasero – Tarted up this year, Brasero is
promising big things for its new look.
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 30 60)
Pit Stops
Fish Tank – Great for its value for money food.
Sit on the sunny terrace and grab a homemade
burger or pasty; calm your hangover with a
weekend English breakfast or pop in for an
après ski demi and a snack.
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06 46 60)
Evolution 2 Café – Burgers, paninis, salads
and pasta, the Evo2 Café is an ideal choice for
a spot of lunch before you head off again up
the mountain. Always busy and vibrant, sitting
outside in the sun makes it a sociable place to
meet up with friends.
(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 40 04 64)
TC’s Bar – Sunday Roasts, English Breakfasts
(at the weekend) and Thai Platters – this is a
Lavachet hot spot for sating your appetite.
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 46 46)
Powder Café – Now doing English breakfasts
in the mornings, the Powder café is also a
popular lunch spot with its crazy Power Burger
with almost everything on it. Tapas for the
hungry needing a pre-dinner snack and a
welcoming -anglo-french atmosphere.
(Le Lac Bec Rouge - 04 79 40 07 36)
The Angel Bar - ‘Design your own’ Paninis
on offer as well as jacket potatoes, a welcome
energy boost after a hard day’s skiing.
(Le Lac Bec Rouge - 04 79 06 55 34)
Take Away
Tignes Cuisine – The perfect meal for when
you’re too tired to move. The only take away to
deliver to your front door, Tignes Cuisine offers
a menu from all over the world. Check out the
curries – spiced up to your preference. Also
featuring monster English Breakfasts to make a
mess of your ski-suit.
(Le Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 44 44)
Royal Kebab - The one and only kebab house
in resort. Just remember: it may be a kebab
shop but no fighting.
(Val Claret Centre)
Pizza Mick- Great pizzas, as well as roast
chicken and friendly service.
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 30 97)
the essential guide - bars and clubs
Le Val Claret
Le Studio – Cool French bar that has just
opened this year. Go there to watch sport on
TV in style with a cocktail or champagne flute
in hand. Chill out with a glass of wine and
soak up the ambience.
Fish Tank – This friendly bar at the bottom
of the Val Claret piste is excellent for a vin
chaud on the terrace whilst you wait for the
others to catch up. Go there to dance to the
live bands; to watch the sport games on TV
or to fill up English-style on bacon and eggs.
Stay away from the Marmite vodka shot!
Crowded House – Run by Crystal, this
bar manages to be far more than just a
tour operator haven. All the baggy trouser,
studded belt pro snowboarding crowd hang
out here. Table football, crazy theme parties
and it’s proximity to the nightclubs mean that
it’s usually heaving with party people. Watch
out for the bed party…
Mover Café – Live music is big feature
of this bar which has just be refurbished
to fit even more of the hoards that flock
there to dance the night away. With at least
40 different flavours of vodka, including
Fisherman’s Friend and After Eight, your
night is guaranteed to go with a bang. Try the
Blueberry Rum Daquiri cocktail.
Grizzly’s Bar – Fancy sitting round an open
fire surrounded by wooden bears drinking a
hot chocolate? Then this ornately decorated
bar come shop is probably for you.
Yorin FM Café – This crazy bar is owned
by the Dutch national radio station Yorin FM.
Always one for those Flugel fuelled nights
where you dance all night to the euro beat.
The parties in here go off!
Drop Zone - French-run bar situated almost
next to the slopes. Play pool, drink beer and
hang with your mates. Check out the live
music and bands most nights of the week.
L’@robaze Café - Don’t be mislead by the
nerdy name, this place goes off... Loud euro
tune selection pumped out to a predominantly
French crowd, lots of whistling and whistle
blowing.
Melting Pot* - Good funky nightclub with
a great music policy and with some real
blinding nights. Drink prices are reasonable
with some good Happy Hour deals. Ladies
Night with free champagne is always a messy
adventure.
Blue Girl* - This fun and infamous euro
club is guaranteed to make you smile. The
club that most people in resort can never
remember being in… it’s that much fun.
Watch out for the pole dancing nights.
Le Lac
L’Embuscade –Very cool French bar and a
favourite of seasonnaires of all nationalities.
Go there to hang out, practice your French
and make friends. Great place if you actually
want to feel like you are in France.
The Angel Bar – There’s lots of stuff going
on here: broadband internet, good cheap
drink deals, paninis… Try the 6 before 6 or
the 10 shot challenge games- almost certain
to make you stumble. Great for après-ski
and party nights. Also every week, you can
chance your luck at winning a snowboard…
brilliant!
Grotte du Yeti – This bar has just
expanded this year to two floors and is the
home of the fun-loving dutch company,
Sportura. Always good for a bit of drunken
fun!
Red Lion – Check out this popular bar
based in Les Almes and be intoxicated
(literally) by the delights of barmaids, Cat
and Kia. A popular place to watch your sport
games, the Red Lion is generally going off.
Check out the scary big dog that lives behind
the bar, always ready to bite the hands of
those who don’t drink quickly enough.
Alpaka – Would you believe an even bigger
dog with a few less teeth will be your drinking
pal here? Relax on the comfy sofas and try
a few of the renowned cocktails such as the
Tennessee Ice Tea. Popular nights include
champagne night and… well actually every
night’s popular!
10
Loop Bar – Definitely a bar for those who
like a bit of atmosphere, The Loop Bar has
it all. Big music nights, cocktails galore,
delicious vodka shots and of course the crazy
pool competitions. Sit on the sun drenched
terrace with a vin chaud and a spot of food
or jump around to the banging tunes. Check
out the 241 happy hours between 4pm-6pm
each day.
Powder Café – Not a wild night spot but
a great place for a chilled beer and tapas.
Check out the action sports videos, cruise the
internet, and chat with the multi-lingual staff.
Le Lac* – A new nightclub this year
managed by Billy, of Alpaka fame promises
to be the next big thing. Already heaving
with people, the music policy here is one that
you won’t hear anywhere else in the Tignes’
clubs. A mixture of cool dancy tunes from
the old Club 21 (Val d’Isere) DJ will have you
dancing all night.
Jacks Club* – If cheese is your thing
then Jacks will be your Roquefort. Devoted
to all those songs you never thought you’d
hear played again, the music is fantastic for
all silliness. Get drunk and go play on the
infamous pole.
Le Lavachet
TC’s Bar – A small friendly bar that may
well become a large friendly bar this year
with their recent acquisition of the Petit Pub
next door. Mutzig is on the menu here and
thankfully this year, there is food to wash it
down with after your 5th pint. Check out: TC
and his crazy compadres- always good for a
laugh especially when they dress up…
Harri’s Bar– A Tignes legend, still there,
still busy and always fun to be had with the
Harri’s girls! Watch sport, drink a fishbowl
cocktail or dress up for one of their massive
theme parties. Warm your mitts by the
huge fire and relax after a tough day on the
mountain. Then party on into the night...
* Denotes a night club - 4am licence.
11
Penelope had a pit stop with An(ge)l Rich. However no fuel was
exchanged......
AC/DC Jimmy managed to get stopped by the Gendarmes on
New Years Eve for being drunken in charge of a shopping trolley.
He spent twenty minutes arguing with them about where he got the trolley
from before being ordered to take it back to Val Claret (even though it was
from the Spa in Le Lac).
Jimmy also gave special kind of customer service that goes above and
beyond the call of duty.
Pistol Pete’s lady friend is keeping the neighbours awake in
Chalet Club 4. Let’s hope he’s not firing blanks.
Btw it’s come to our notice that there are two individuals working for
two different tour operators using the alias Pistol Pete. Popular
name we guess.
Curling Jamie apparently took two Manchester University
students back home and entertained them both for several hours.
The Assistant manager of the Curling has done a runner to Flaine.
All the nannies are broke so their alcohol fuelled mayhem has
abated for a week!
Pip the handyman really needed a pee whilst on the Tommeuses
chairlift, so he peed then and there with six other people sat next to him.
Nice!
Spuggy of Byker Grove ‘fame’ has been sighted in TC’s Bar… she had
a drink. Nice.
AC/DC Jimmy did a strip for Hannah’s 21st, he did keep on the
sailor’s hat.
Oh and TC has given up drinking. Wonder how long that will last – as
long as the antibiotic course ?
The Loop girls came home the other night to find their two male
roommates asleep… and spooning. “They looked so sweet together”
the girls said.
Jessica has a big heart, she’ll do anything for charity mate, and so it
seems will her chums Rob and Gareth. We wholeheartedly agree with
charitable works for the Tsunami appeal, though we’re not sure anyone is
going to want to watch Jessica wax the boys’ cracks even if it is for
a good cause. Anyone wishing to contribute to the lads fundraising efforts
can probably find them boozing in the Alpaka bar and nursing itchy nuts.
Dish your dirt to lies@thetignesscene.co.uk.
download the tignes scene every week of the winter at
www.thetignesscene.co.uk
this week
12
the gallery
Saturday 15th Jan
Harri’s Bar
All-day Monster English Breakfast
Sunday 16th Jan
Loop Bar – Pool Competition
Alpaka – Shot Night
Le Caveau – Live Music Rock and Blues
Fishtank – Live Music
Monday 17th Jan
Harri’s Bar – Live Music Blue Monkey
Alpaka – Champagne Night
Le Caveau – Live Music Rock and Blues
Tuesday 18th Jan
TC’s Bar – Circus Night including Talent
Contest
Crowded House – 80’s Party
Red Lion – Kev and Dave live Rock Music
Le Caveau – Live Music Rock and Blues
Wednesday 19th Jan
Angel Bar – Pool Competition – win €50
plus free babyfoot
Loop Bar – Guest DJ from Sheffield – hip
hop and break beats
Alpaka – Live Music – Nutmeg Fantasy
Le Caveau – Live Music Rock and Blues
Yorin FM Café - DISCOLICIOUS PARTY!!
Smirnoff-ice for only €4,’70’s & ‘80’s music
Rugby training 8pm-10pm meet at
Tignespace. Call Jean for details on 06 20
40 01 91
Thursday 20th Jan
Loop Bar – DJ Snake Dogg Voodoo Disco
Eclectic Mash-up
Le Caveau – Live Music Rock and Blues
Fishtank – Live Music
Yorin FM Café - WESTERN PARTY…
Discount on Tequilla, Corona en
Desperado…COWGIRLS & COWBOYS
behind the bar
Friday 21st Jan
Red Lion – Live Music
Harri’s Bar Desperado Promo
Angel Bar – Win a Snowboard Raffle
Le Caveau – Live Music Rock and Blues
Please send submissions by
email by next wed for next
‘what’s on’.
The Tignes Scene
the tignes scene would like to thank the following
for their help in making this happen.
Tash - Skiing and snowboarding’s freshest
photographer
«crazy» phil and Tony for extra photos
and all of our advertisers - you rock !
Contact :
Gaby@thetignesscene.co.uk, jamesv@thetignesscene.c.uk