Frédéric Porte: "Tignes needs to be dynamic all year round

Frédéric Porte, director of the TignesIn an interview with us, he looks back on the summer season and looks ahead to the coming winter season.

How do you see the summer season developing in Tignes?

It's a positive one. Over the years, Tignes has established itself as a must-visit destination for sporting holidaymakers, thanks to a host of first-class facilities, including the water sports base, "Acroland", the new sports plain, the Olympic stadium, the recently-developed sports fields, the "Tignespace" sports and conference centre and the "Le Lagon" aquatic centre. These facilities confirm Tignes' position as a top destination for sports and nature lovers, and contribute to the resort's growing appeal during the summer months.

"In particular, the bike park saw a 15 % increase in visitor numbers.

Visitors can also take advantage of the "My Tignes" mountain area, which is open all week and offers a wide range of activities. The bike park in particular has seen a 15 % increase in visitor numbers, testifying to the resort's growing appeal to mountain bikers. Lovers of hiking and stunning scenery can also take advantage of six ski lifts, including chairlifts, gondolas, cable cars and funiculars, which make it easy to explore the region.

How would you sum up the summer of 2024?

This summer marked a period of stabilisation for Tignes. After the intense years following the Covid-19 pandemic, when the need for freedom and wide open spaces was strongly felt, we have seen a quieter season, but one that is still positive. Previous years have been marked by strong demand for outdoor activities, particularly during exceptionally hot summers. This has contributed to Tignes' transition to a multi-activity summer, with a diverse range of activities on offer throughout the day.

We had anticipated this interest in outdoor leisure activities by enriching our offer, but the capricious weather at the start of the summer, combined with an anxious political climate, somewhat slowed the start of the season. In June, the prospects of the Olympic Games also influenced holidaymakers' decisions, who seemed reluctant to stay at home. July was mixed, but we saw a good recovery in August. Overall, it was a positive summer, even if it was quieter than previous years of euphoria. The volume of overnight stays remained stable compared with the previous year, showing continuity with the good years we have had recently, despite a lack of marked growth.

Do you think spending your summer holidays in the mountains is now a matter of course?

It's clear that the mountains occupy an important place in people's minds in summer. We've stepped up our communications around this theme, highlighting Tignes as a prime destination for sports training. Once again this year, we had the honour of welcoming top-level teams, such as the French handball team at the end of June, the French endurance cycling team and the Visma professional team, which returns every year. At the end of August, the Olympique Lyonnais women's team also trained here. This sporting influence helps to put Tignes on the map in a different way, while satisfying our customers.

How is the resort structured so that it can live all year round?

Tignes is committed to a long-term strategy to become a dynamic year-round destination. We have invested heavily in our infrastructure to ensure the continuity of activities well beyond the ski season, which starts this year on 23 November. Leisure, sporting and cultural activities never stop at Tignes.

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We bring the summer sports season to a gentle close on 7 September, but our facilities, such as the water sports centre and "Le Lagon", reopen from All Saints' Day, offering a variety of activities to residents and visitors alike. Our commitment is also reflected in the permanent opening of our fitness facilities and the development of an increasingly active cultural space.

What new products are announced and expected this winter?

Our ski area remains one of the most extraordinary, offering a long season that runs from 23 November to 4 May, enabling our visitors to enjoy winter sports to the full. As every year, new facilities and improvements are on the programme. These include the inauguration of a new chairlift at Aiguille Percée, Le Marais, and a new beginners' carpet to replace the old Lavachet lift. In addition, several of our restaurants are expanding to offer a better dining experience. Highlights include the 'Yeti Race', ski testing sessions, and of course, Tignes' iconic Christmas and New Year celebrations, with a giant concert on the snow front.

"Reinvest the profits from this new operation directly in the development of the region.

We will also be hosting the Mountain Shaker, not forgetting the 24 Hours of the Frozen Lake, on February 1 and 2. A unique new event that will attract fans of extreme challenges. For the sixth year running, accommodation providers are telling me that we're already almost fully booked for New Year's Eve, which is testament to the continuing strong appeal of skiing and outdoor activities. We're looking forward to a great season, with guaranteed safety and snow cover to reassure and satisfy our visitors.

What are the prospects following the end of Compagnie des Alpes' operation of the ski area in 2026?

From the summer of 2026-2027, the municipality will take over the running of its mountain resort by creating a new dedicated structure. This decision is the result of a wide-ranging public consultation, carried out in line with the objectives of the "Tignes 2050" project. The key idea is to reinvest the profits from this new operation directly in the development of the region. Our priority is clear: the quality of the Tignes ski product must not be compromised in any way.

We are keen to preserve what has made our resort famous today, while adopting an even more proactive approach to investment. The aim is to boost Tignes' appeal all year round, by supporting a multi-season lifestyle, and by reinjecting the revenue generated into projects that will shape the future of our region. This new organisation will give the commune total control over the future of its ski area.

We know how important seasonal workers are in our resorts. What role do they play in Tignes and how do you go about attracting them?

At Tignes, we're not just talking about seasonal workers, but real local employees. Our vision is part of the "Tignes 2050" project, which aims to develop a year-round lifestyle in the resort. To achieve this, we have adopted strategic opening dates for the summer and winter seasons, with the aim of making Tignes attractive not only for holidaymakers, but also for those who work here.

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We are striving to create a regional project that is attractive to both local residents and seasonal workers. To attract and retain our employees, we have introduced a number of initiatives. We have strengthened our employer brand, working to improve working conditions and offering a stimulating environment. We have also invested significantly in accommodation for our seasonal workers, right in the heart of the resort, in order to retain our staff and ensure a consistent quality of service throughout the year.