We’re at the Winter X Games in Tignes…

The X Games come to Tignes and Erna Low’s roving reporter, Tim,  follows them there!

Since their launch in 1995 the Winter X Games have come to be known as one of the biggest freestyle skiing and snowboarding events on the calendar. Until now they have never been hosted in Europe, but Tignes has scored a contract for 3 seasons, starting now.

Over several days, the programme consists of Slopestyle and Superpipe disciplines, of which I saw the mens’ ski Slopestlye (a series of enormous jumps and rails for riders to show off their talent) and the snowboard Superpipe (which is like a normal halfpipe but ENORMOUS).

Slopestyle at the X Games

If the pipe doesn’t look that big take note of the small blob on the left hand side between the first 2 floodlights. Well, that’s an upside down person a few metres in the air!

The Pipe

The games have lots of things going on to attract an audience including a show of crazy people on skidoos who also like to spend time upside down very high in the air.

While I was in Tignes though I did catch up with some past seasonaire friends who were getting involved in the X-citement.

X-citement!

There are lots of evening activities and promotions including world class Djs, but I had to get back to La Plagne, where they are no doubt celebrating local rider Kevin Rolland’s victory in the ski superpipe.
Former Erna Low rep, Rick saw Rolland’s winning run and said that it was incredible how high the skiers can launch themselves.

Check out www.winterxgameseurope.com and you can see Rolland’s run below…. class!