Albertville 1992: Olympic venues overview
Ten competition venues were used for the Olympic Winter Games Albertville 1992. Four of the venues were existing sites. The rest were built for the Games. They are all still in use today for recreational and high-performance ice and snow sports, and have helped the Savoie Mont Blanc region establish itself as one of the world’s leading winter sports destinations.
They include the La Plagne sliding track, France’s national training centre. The venue is open to the general public for beginners’ bobsleigh and luge activities and also hosts international competitions nearly every year.
The Henri Dujol Olympic Park was at the forefront of the town’s modernisation for the Games. It features several venues and facilities, including the Halle Olympique and the Olympic Oval. It was also the location of the temporary venue hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The speed skiing competition and all the skiing events (Alpine, freestyle, cross-country) were held at existing resorts, namely Les Arcs, Courchevel, Meribel, La Plagne, Tignes, Les Menuires, Les Saisies and Val d’Isère. They greatly benefitted from the worldwide exposure provided by the Games.
The only Albertville 1992 venue that is not in use anymore is the speed skiing slope in Les Arcs. It was used for a demonstration event and left to disappear naturally. A number of deaths were recorded in speed skiing after the Albertville 1992 Games, and it was promptly discontinued as a demonstration sport on account of being too dangerous.
The venues used for the Games remain part of Savoie Mont Blanc’s appeal, helping the region to establish itself as one of the world’s leading winter sports destinations.