La Plagne Super Slalom 2017

The world’s longest slalom race is coming to La Plagne

featured in Events reviews Author Stuart Hamilton, La Plagne Reporter Updated 15 March 2017

On 1st April, La Plagne will host the world’s longest ever slalom race, the appropriately named Super Slalom. The open-format competition will feature some of the world’s best skiing talent toughing it out with amateur riders on a massive, specially commissioned course - approximately five times the length of a normal slalom course.

The event is the brainchild of two of La Plagne’s most revered locals – Julien Lizeroux and Julien Régnier. Lizeroux is an accomplished slalom skier, a double World Champion and is currently ranked 9th in the world. Régnier’s skiing career was slightly less structured, focusing more on big mountain, backcountry freeriding. In a moment of inspiration, the two conceived the Super Slalom – a fusion of their otherwise disparate ski disciplines.

The race takes place from 09.00 to 13.30 on 1st April 2017 on a dedicated piste starting near the top of the Becoin chair above Aime 2000. Some 4km and a tortuous 320 gates later, racers will reach the finish line at the foot of the La Roche chairlift, located below Plagne 1800. For reference, a typical slalom course normally has 55 to 75 gates (men) or 40 to 60 gates (women). The Super Slalom is a one of a kind, mammoth descent that promises to offer thrilling racing.

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Lizeroux has assembled an exalted list of skiers from all disciplines including telemark, cross-country, biathlon and freestyle. Indeed between them, the bigger names have amassed 8 Olympic medals, 44 World Championships medals, 485 podium finishes and 10 X-Games medals.

Notable invited guests include Martin Fourcade, Kevin Rolland, Ophélie David, Alexi Pinterault, Luc Alphand, Jean Fred Chapuis, Ben Valentin, Jean-Baptiste Grange and, of course, the two Juliens themselves. It’s an impressive and varied rostrum of riders that will further add to the prestige of the competition.

In addition to the big name competitors, the event is open to amateur and professional Men, Women and Juniors and even features a Seniors category (for those born between 1962 and 1977) and a Veterans grouping (for those born pre-1962). In total, 400 skiers will take part. While the top racers will undoubtedly be going all-out to win, expect a sense of camaraderie and bonhomie amongst the lower ranked / older riders.

Racers will start at 20 second intervals with course times expected to range between 4 and 10 minutes, depending on ability. It’s almost inevitable there will be moments of carnage as the track becomes more and more rutted and the lower ranked riders struggle to keep pace.

As well as the Super Slalom, there will be live music and entertainments held throughout the day at Chalet de la Roche, near the finish line. There will also be a DJ and bar (the Pit Stop) located near the start area at Aime 2000, open from 09:00 to 13:30. Go here between 10:00 and 12:00, for your chance to meet and ski with the Champion racers. The day wraps up with an awards ceremony between 14:00 and 15:00 at the La Roche base station, followed by two live concerts until 18:00. It should prove an action-packed, enjoyable day for spectators of all ages.

Both Aime 2000 and La Roche are easily accessible by foot or on skis/board. La Roche is clearly marked on the main road up to La Plagne, with limited parking available on-site. Aime 2000 can be accessed by the Telemetro shuttle which links directly from the central hub of La Plagne, Plagne Centre. The La Roche chair will run throughout the day providing special pedestrian access between the base and Aime 2000. Skiers and snowboarders can also use the Becoin chair which runs from the far right of Plagne Centre and gives access to the full course from the start line above Aime (note, this lift isn’t open to pedestrians).

The Super Slalom promises to be a fun, thoroughly unique competition and is one of the bigger events in La Plagne’s calendar this year. It will provide a great opportunity to see skiing legends from all disciplines mix it up with amateurs trying to conquer the one-off, challenging course.

Stuart Hamilton is the Creative Director of iRide Ski and Snowboard App - a new skiing and snowboarding app, available now on Apple iOS and Android.