Dragon Lodge 20th Anniversary & Tignes Banked Slalom Gallery
Late April saw two momentous occasions descend upon Tignes on the same day, as Dragon Lodge Snowboarding celebrated their 20th anniversary while TDC Snowboarding organised the resort’s first ever Banked Slalom event.
Dragon Lodge has become an institution; started by brothers John and Owain Basset some two decades ago, DLS was set up as a home away from home for snowboarders looking to enjoy like-minded company when shredding and staying in the Alps and with Tignes’ high altitude and snow sure winters, Dragon Lodge has become the premiere snowboarding lodge in the European Alps.
A lot has changed in 20 years of snowboarding, a way of life has evolved into a ‘sport’, but with the recent trend towards hard charging snowboard shapes that carve on piste as well as they float on the white gold, banked slaloms have also seen a severe uptick. Tignes’ inaugural banked slalom, organised by TDC Snowboarding, surged its way through the gully section beneath the infamous Palafour lift and saw a great turnout of local riders vying for their chance to be crowned the Tignes king of speed.
Henry Clarke was crowned champion of the men’s event with X Games gold and Olympic bronze medalist Jenny Jones taking out the women’s category. Notable mention goes to Dragon Lodge’s very own Will Hughes for placing 2nd going forwards and for claiming 1st place in the switch event.
The day then turned to night and all focus shifted to the Loop Bar in Tignes Le Lac and Dragon Lodge’s 20th anniversary party, where stoner rockers STEAK provided the soundtrack to an all-round raucous night. All photos by Tom Greenhill.
