The Tignesnet.Com Tignes Après Ski Report

The Cheerleaders @ TC"s in a cosy, acoustic gig

Undoubtedly all eyes will be on Tignes next week for the X Games. The preparations are certainly causing a stir as the crazy slope style course takes shape and the Super Pipe seems to grow wider, longer and more formidable by the hour. However….this week the main event was not X-Games related but was no less extreme for that reason. Evolution 2, for the second year running and in association with Oakley and CoreUpt, presented the Full Moon Freeride.

I always think the Full Moon Freeride has either a slightly romantic or slightly sinister feel about it but in actually fact it is simply an awesome idea that somehow there are people crazy enough to attempt. The only one of its kind in France this event sees 20 of France’s best riders take to the Tufs Couloirs, or ‘The Fingers’ as they are better known locally, in the dark armed only with a head torch, reflective jacket, their ski skills and hopefully balls of steel. This is the face that dominates the scene of the frozen lake in Tignes and is a notorious off piste playground for the brave and the stupid consisting predominantly of steep, narrow and untracked couloirs made all the more difficult by it being the middle of the night. Local boy and 4 times world freeride world champion, Guerlain Chicherit joined the competitors who were judged by, amongst others, Laurent Niol an Olympic skier no less. Its got to be a daunting feeling standing at the top of this face with a giant spotlight on you but the prize is the title of Greatest Full moon Freerider 2010…a title which must demand great respect.

I wandered along to watch this spectacle unfold and got there just in time to see one of the first riders being rescue-wagoned off the bottom of the hill. Apparently he had attempted and failed a cliff drop which under normal circumstances would have been impressive but under these conditions was nothing short of heroic. It just reminds you that an event like this is so much tougher than the professionals make it look and also a whole lot more dangerous than we usually care to imagine. However, rider Will is fine, despite having a broken tibia and fibia and all safety precautions are being taken so the event continues.

There was a huge crowd next to the lake along with the judges tent and the giant spotlight which was following the rider’s progress down the face. A great commentary was being kept up explaining who was next, what their credentials were with regards to crazy night-time ski madness and what sort of tricks they were pulling out of the bag to clinch the competition. Unfortunately it was mostly in French so I didn’t catch all of it but you get the general excitement level in the commentator’s voice as the current participant attempts something special.

Actually I haven’t a clue who won, I’ll try and find out for next week, because I got too cold standing and watching. Completely my own fault…you’d think after 8 seasons in the mountains I’d learn that jeans aren’t as warm as they look! Anyway, I took shelter in Jam Bar to warm up and discovered than a lot of people had no idea this amazing event was going on and that they were actually quite miffed to have missed it. So….here’s fair warning…the next Evolution 2 Full Moon Freeride will probably take place near the 1st March 2011 on the full moon. Check out the What’s On guide here nearer the time and you won’t miss out on the incredible show.

There has just been the worst weather this week so the après sessions have been heaving. I guess people are bored of staring at falling snow by the afternoon and want a bit of excitement. Anyhow I’m full up on amazing bands and great DJs for this week, most memorable ‘The Cheerleader’s Acoustic set at TC’s in Lavachet. As it’s a pretty small bar in comparison to many the band stripped down their usual set up and presented a very ‘MTV Unplugged’, up-close-and-personal feel gig which went down a storm with the packed bar. Its actually nice to interact with the band a bit and hear what they say instead of being blasted out of the place with giant speakers. Not always …but sometimes.

Next week, obviously, because we have mentioned it quite a lot, is X Games week. I’ve still got fingers crossed that the rumor Shaun White (Olympic gold medalist and snowboarding hero to all-bar-none) is coming will turn out to be true but nothing could make this event fail now….its going to be HUGE!!! Watch out for little old Tignes on Euro Sport, ESPN and the extreme channel if you don’t believe me. I’m in the process of info gathering on all the après-X-Games parties going on and will update you with all the gossip and goings on ASAP.

Watch this week’s Video Report here >>

What’s On Guide
You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.