Les Saisies
The Nordic ski area of Les Saisies hosted the cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Its 120 kilometres of trails cater for every skill level and are a regular venue for national and international competitions, including the biathlon and cross-country skiing World Cups. At upwards of 1,700 metres, they are among the highest such trails in Europe and offer spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif.
A site rich in wetland and moorland flora and fauna, it is environmentally sensitive. In preparation for the Games, care was taken to protect its upland peat soils. Spectator areas were sited to prevent compaction and trampling, while tracks were built to a width of four metres rather than the usual seven and laid out to avoid wet zones, among other measures.
Though there was some post-Games damage, caused by excessive use of 4WD vehicles and mountain bikes, protection of the environment remains a priority at the resort. The Scandinavian technique of snowfarming has recently been adopted as an alternative to snow cannons. It involves covering existing snow with sawdust to protect it.
Recently, the resort’s dozen snow groomers have been equipped with technology that shows drivers exactly how deep the snow is at any given point