By signing the H+ regional charter last December, Tignes has formalised an ambitious accessibility initiative. From the Maison de Tignes to its entire infrastructure, the Savoyard resort wants to set the standard for welcoming people with disabilities, with a clear objective: to be fully ready for the major events of 2027.
The scene is symbolic: on 16 December, Tignes signed the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes H+ charter. A non-binding document, but one that sets out strong commitments to improving accessibility in ski resorts.
- READ OUR DOSSIER - "Tignes, the sports resort par excellence".
"Unlike a label, the H+ charter does not penalise, but highlights existing initiatives and encourages efforts". summed up Sandrine Chaix, regional vice-president for disability.
A collective approach
In Tignes, the subject is taken seriously. Coralie Deschamps, who is in charge of regional transition at the town hall, is leading the initiative.
"We started by taking stock of everything that already existed, from accommodation to leisure services, to draw up an initial snapshot. The aim is twofold: to promote existing initiatives and to help socio-professionals to go further.
The Maison de Tignes, a hub of tourist and municipal services, is at the heart of this project. Visitor reception, the central booking office, services for professionals and car parks: everything must be gradually adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility, visual impairments or hearing impairments.
"We often think only of wheelchairs, but there are four major families of disabilities. We need to broaden our vision". insists Coralie Deschamps. Magnetic loops for the hearing-impaired have already been installed in tourist offices, while specific pictograms are now included on piste maps.
A long tradition of hospitality
This is not the first time the station has done this. A long-standing partner of the French Handisport FederationTignes regularly welcomes Paralympic athletes for training sessions and has long offered free ski passes to disabled skiers, with a discount of 50 % for those accompanying them.
The local Amont association, which specialises in seated skiing and accessibility training, works hand in hand with the ski lifts. "Inclusion is a real culture at Tignes, but the H+ charter requires us to formalise, plan and communicate more about what is being done. continues Coralie Deschamps.
Objective: to be ready for the Disabled Alpine Skiing World Championships, organised in 2027 on the resort's slopes. The event will serve as a full-scale test ahead of the 2030 Paralympic Games.
On the ground, the H+ approach touches on everything: training for reception staff, support for accommodation providers, accessibility of events (with specific pathways for wheelchair users, for example at summer concerts) and the creation of adapted tourist packages.
An event is already scheduled every winter to introduce the general public to sit-skiing and raise awareness of disability issues. The resort is moving forward in stages. "We can't do everything in one winter, but we have a clear objective: to become a resort where everyone feels welcome and supported.
EN 
FR