Cheap I can understand but don’t put your girlfriend off. I bought cheap snowshoes for the missus from Decathlon (actually they were not that cheap) and they were rubbish. Ok on the flat but hard to walk with and go up and down. She recently tried some TSL 225s and it was night and day. However the cheapest TSLs I’ve seen are 100 euros at revedecime.com or 95inc P&P at sports depot:
I am looking for exactly the same thing and also based in Tignes!
My wife wants some to use with normal walking boots so wondering if the TSL 225 which has been suggested would fit the bill. I have seen some TSL 225 expe on the internet at 75 euros but am not sure if they can be used with normal boots.
The only TSR raquettes you have to take care about are those that use a special step-in system like the Dynafit ski binding. These use special ski boots. I’m not sure they even make this model anymore. My wife uses Salomon lightweight walking boots with her snow shoes, there is a kind of crossstrap piece that holds the toe and an ankle loop.
Take care snowshoeing up in Tignes, you can get yourselves into dangerous situations if you try.
Thanks for the caution Chill. We do live in Tignes for the winter period so know it well, but you can never be too careful. The snowshoes are more for exercise than exploring so would only be used on recognised tracks. That is why we need to make sure they can be used with ordinary walking boots.
I’ve tried snowshoes, but I rent. I’ve looked at buying some, and see that the bargain models use Velcro fastenings, and the more expensive ones seem to have fastenings on a ratchet similar to Snowboard Bindings.
The rental pairs I’ve used, all had the ratchet type of binding. I just use walking boots (goretex lined) when out.