Altus Val d’Isère Tignes 2025
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Edito – Altus Val d’Isère Tignes 2025

« The mountain offers to man everything that modern society forgets to provide. » (Boris Vian)

Altitude has never been so alluring, so captivating. As the last bastion of freedom, the mountain offers the possibility of escape, far from a hectic daily life. Nature reveals itself in all its strength, inviting humility and authenticity. This makes it a place conducive to reunions, whether with family or friends. Some have childhood memories tied to their favorite station, anchoring them in the mountains. Everyone comes seeking the unforgettable, those precious moments that are only lived at altitude.
The mountain is a muse, inspiring athletes and artists alike, like the photographers we followed along the path of summits over 4,000 meters in this issue. They reveal moments suspended in rare intensity. More than just a vacation destination, the mountain is a pluralistic experience. Skiing and the pleasures of gliding remain essential, but other challenges and ways to enjoy the mountains exist as well. Each at their own pace, drawing from the wide range of activities offered.
Like the high-mountain guides we encountered in this issue, adaptation is the primary quality of mountaineers. To the climate, to visitor expectations, to current trends. From this positive dynamism emerge new projects, new inspirations, new ways to reinvent an ever-evolving ecosystem. Everyone is a part of the change. Interactions between locals, visitors, and professionals are shaping unexplored paths, gradually forming a new version of the mountains – a living, vibrant mountain, true to its roots, with eyes set on the future.

Roland Claude Durand-Terrasson
Director of Editions

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NEWS

ALASDAIR MC KENZIE HAS SUCCESSFULLY ASCENDED THE 14 SUMMITS OVER 8,000 METERS

At just 20 years old, Tignes-born Alasdair McKenzie has become the first Frenchman and the youngest European to successfully climb the 14 summits above 8,000 meters in altitude. It was on October 9th, atop Shishapangma (8,027 m), that Alasdair completed his project, after two years of adventures on the planet’s highest peaks. He could have become the youngest alpinist to climb all 14 “8,000-meter” summits, but he was beaten to it by a Nepalese climber of 18 years. The feat remains intact for this young competition skier, who shifted from the slopes to mountaineering at the age of 17. “When I arrived at the refuge des Grands Mulets, my decision was made: I was going to stop skiing to fully dedicate myself to the mountains.” Since then, Alasdair hasn’t stopped, completing 15 summits above 4,000 meters in the Alps and dreaming of the Himalayas. He wasn’t yet 18 when he reached the summit of Lhotse, becoming the youngest alpinist to achieve it, followed by Makalu just nine days later. “I was really happy after those two climbs, and I thought it was possible to chain several more quickly. That’s how the project was born.” Alasdair ticked off 12 summits above 8,000 meters in 18 months—an incredible feat. However, Shishapangma and Cho Oyu remained closed for longer than expected: administrative and geopolitical constraints forced Alasdair to be patient. Completing this project this fall is an achievement for Alasdair, but not a finality—he still has many other mountain adventures to live.

LA DOLCE VITA INVITES ITSELF TO VAL D’ISÈRE

The Nolita – an Italian restaurant and bar lounge – is the pleasant surprise of the season! Adorned in wood, it boasts a chic and warm decor that creates a cozy atmosphere. On the menu, traditional Italian specialties – veal scaloppine, gnocchi, rigatoni baked in the oven, slow-cooked osso buco, and a wide selection of pastas – are generously served at reasonable prices. The wine cellar caters to even the most discerning wine lovers. Irresistible antipasti transform the aperitif into a delightful moment, to be enjoyed on one of the comfortable sofas by the bar, with either a classic or more creative cocktail. Open throughout the day for moments of shared enjoyment with family, friends, or loved ones, you’ll only want to return. A well-kept secret, Le Nolita also offers a private space to host anniversaries, parties, or events!

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Fusalp: A New Collection Looking Toward the Future

For this new collection, the artistic director has envisioned ski outfits that perfectly combine technical innovation, playfulness, luxury, and glamour. The retro-futuristic ambiance is reflected in graphic color-block designs for women and vibrant color palettes for men, along with ring zipper pulls and metallic snap buttons. Every detail is meticulously chosen, with each piece focusing on functionality and fit.

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NOUVEAU TÉLÉSIÈGE DU MARAIS À TIGNES

In Tignes, the brand-new detachable 6-seater chairlift, Le Marais, has just been inaugurated, offering a faster and quieter ascent. With a capacity of over 2,000 skiers per hour, it will facilitate access to the top of Aiguille Percée from the Marais plateau. While its neighboring chairlift, Aiguille Rouge, was recently replaced, this new lift ensures a smoother connection with the heart of the ski area from Tignes 1800 and Tignes les Brévières.

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Architecture

Une signature architecturale unique

For those who know how to observe, the history of Val d’Isère can be seen as you wander through its streets. Iconic buildings, ancestral constructions, buildings, and new chalets all tell the story of the station’s architectural evolution, shaped by very different eras. A true mountain architecture laboratory, Val d’Isère is also a village that has preserved its unique identity. Analysis follows.

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Meet

Laura Gauché: The Comet of Tignes

At 29, Laura Gauché is among the world’s top female skiers. Trained at the Tignes Club des Sports, the tall blonde consistently challenges the clock, with a preference for downhill and super-G. Meet a local who grew up with skis on her feet!

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Mountain

Guide: A Profession in Constant Evolution

To adapt, constantly. To the weather conditions, the terrain, the level of clients… Being a high mountain guide means learning to navigate the unknown, creating alternatives, and finding solutions. This profession, which has evolved so much since its beginnings, continues to reinvent itself to meet new challenges.

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Sport

From Val d’Isère to Tignes: The E-Mountain Bike Experience

Between forests, lush meadows, and emerald lakes, Val d’Isère and Tignes offer diverse terrain naturally suited for mountain biking. However, reaching high-altitude areas with steep relief requires strong legs—or perhaps… a little electric boost! Whether in discovery mode or a more sporty version on enduro trails, the e-mountain bike has become the ideal machine for enjoying the local routes.

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