Ski 365 days a year in Tignes - project given the go ahead

Tignes is continuing it growth and development with plans for a large indoor snow dome to be built to offset the potential loss of its glacier in years to come.

The Grande Motte glacier, which is used for summer skiing in July and August, has apparently already lost 30% of its volume and with global warming accelerating that loss, Tignes has decided to plan for the future in an unheard of move for a ski resort.

Plans for an indoor snow dome and an indoor wave centre called "Ski Line" in Val Claret are to be discussed at a meeting in Chambery tomorrow. Financing the project has proved difficult as the whole build could cost in the region of €62 million, with the resort looking to private investors to top up the deficit.

The ski slope would cover an area of 20,000m2 with a suspended ski lift and the wave centre 822m2. There will be a restaurant on site as well as a shopping area and changing rooms. A new Club Med complex will also be built nearby.

The resort are hoping that they will attract year round clientele, including teams of athletes looking to train at altitude, corporate groups for hosting seminars and potentially (they hope) the opening of ski world cup competitions. The 4 and 5 star Club Med complex will also be open all year and the build will increase the number of beds in Val Claret by 1050.

If the plans are agreed and investors found, Ski Line & Club Med could be opening in 2018-19.

*Update November 2016

Plans have been given the go ahead, so if all the works are carried out on time, you will be able to ski in Tignes 365 days a year. All they need now are some more investors...