Tignes

Tignes is a world-renowned ski resort in the French Alps, forming part of the massive Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area. It boasts an incredible variety of terrain, a snow-sure record, and a long season that often stretches from autumn to late spring.

This high-altitude resort, with its main village sitting at 2,100m, is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Tignes offers a unique blend of purpose-built convenience and breathtaking natural beauty, spread across several villages like the lively Tignes Le Lac and the quieter, more traditional Les Brévières.

As a powerhouse in the Tarentaise Valley, Tignes attracts winter sports enthusiasts globally. The high-altitude slopes and Grande Motte glacier ensure excellent snow conditions throughout the season. With 300km of pistes to explore, it's a reliable choice for an unforgettable ski holiday.

Tignes is located in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps and is relatively easy to access from the UK and other parts of Europe.

By Air

The nearest airports are Chambéry, Geneva, Lyon, and Grenoble. Geneva is often the most popular choice for international visitors, with a transfer time of approximately three hours. From the airport, you can opt for a shared or private transfer, or hire a car.

By Train

If you prefer to travel by train, the nearest station is Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is about a 40-minute drive from Tignes. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi to the resort.

By Car

For those driving, Tignes is about a 10-hour drive from Calais. It is essential to check road conditions before you travel, especially during heavy snowfall, and ensure your car is equipped with snow chains or winter tyres.

Tignes offers a fantastic progression of slopes and a huge network of runs, making it an ideal resort for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities to improve their skills. The resort's high-altitude slopes and the Grande Motte glacier guarantee excellent snow conditions throughout the season.

From the top of the Grande Motte glacier, accessed by the funicular and cable car, you'll reach an altitude of 3,456 metres, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including Mont Blanc, and some of the best snow in the resort. The entire Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area features 300km of pistes, ensuring endless opportunities for adventure, whether you prefer cruising gentle blues, tackling challenging blacks, or exploring legendary off-piste terrain.

Yes, Tignes is an excellent resort for beginners, with several dedicated zones for learning in a safe and gentle environment. The resort's many ski schools offer excellent tuition for first-timers.

Beginner Zones

• Tignes Le Lac: The Rosset chairlift and the Lavachet drag lift provide access to excellent, wide-open green runs, perfect for practising your first turns.
• Val Claret: The Bollin chairlift serves a lovely long green run, ideal for building confidence.

Many of the beginner lifts in Tignes are free to use, allowing you to get a feel for the sport without needing a full lift pass. Once you've mastered the basics, you can progress onto gentle blue runs, such as the Combe run from the top of the Palafour chairlift.

For advanced and expert skiers, Tignes is a true playground, famous for its challenging black runs and legendary off-piste terrain.

Challenging Pistes

• Sache: A long and often bumpy black run, this descent to Les Brévières is a real test of stamina and skill.
• Paquerettes: Located in the Palafour sector, this black run is a local favourite, known for its steep pitch and moguls.

Off-Piste and Freeride

Tignes offers some of the best lift-accessed off-piste in the world. The areas around the Aiguille Percée and the Grande Motte glacier are a paradise for freeriders, with couloirs, powder fields, and challenging itineraries to explore. We strongly recommend hiring a guide to make the most of the off-piste opportunities and to stay safe in the high mountains.

Tignes offers a lively après-ski scene with a huge choice of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Val Claret is particularly known for its vibrant nightlife.

Après-Ski Bars

• Folie Douce (Val Claret): A must-visit for its legendary on-mountain parties, featuring live music, DJs, and dancing on tables.
• Loop Bar (Tignes Le Lac): Offers a more relaxed après-ski experience with a large sunny terrace and a great selection of beers and cocktails.

Dining

When it comes to dining, Tignes has everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to cheap and cheerful pizzerias. For a taste of traditional Savoyard cuisine, be sure to try a fondue or a raclette at one of the many local restaurants.

Off-Piste Activities (Non-Skiing)

If you're looking for a break from the slopes, Tignes offers a wide range of activities:

• Adrenaline Activities: Go ice skating on the frozen lake, try ice diving, take a spin on a snowmobile, or even bungee jump from a cliff.
• Relaxation & Wellness: Several spas and wellness centres provide opportunities to unwind with a massage or a dip in a hot tub.
• Le Lagon Indoor Swimming Pool (Tignes Le Lac): A great option for any day, featuring a 25-metre pool, a fun pool with slides, and a spa area with saunas, steam rooms, and jacuzzis.

Tignes is made up of several distinct villages, each with its own character and atmosphere, offering a variety of accommodation options to suit all preferences.

High-Altitude Villages

• Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret: These are the highest and most popular villages, providing a wide range of ski-in, ski-out accommodation. They also boast plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. Le Lac is considered the main hub of the resort, while Val Claret is known for its lively nightlife.

Quieter Villages

• Tignes Les Boisses and Les Brévières: Located further down the valley, these villages offer a quieter and more traditional experience. They are connected to the main ski area by a high-speed gondola and are a great choice for families.

Across the resort, you'll find a good selection of hotels, apartments, and chalets to suit all budgets. For a truly unique experience, there are also luxury hotels offering private spas and swimming pools.

Tignes is renowned for its snow-sure record and a long season that often stretches from autumn to late spring. The official season typically runs from late November to early May, making it a reliable choice for winter sports enthusiasts.

The resort benefits from high-altitude slopes and the Grande Motte glacier, contributing to its excellent snow conditions. Tignes records an average annual snowfall of over 650cm.

Intermediate skiers are spoilt for choice in Tignes, with a huge network of blue and red runs that offer weeks of exploration without repetition.

Recommended Intermediate Runs

• Aiguille Percée Sector: Features long, cruising blue runs like Corniche and the more challenging red run, Sache, which descends all the way to Les Brévières.
• Val d'Isère Connection: Head towards Val d'Isère to ski the famous OK World Cup downhill run for stunning views and a great sense of travel.
• Grande Motte Glacier: The Double M run from the top of the glacier provides breathtaking scenery and a thrilling descent.
• Aiguille Rouge: For a further challenge, the red runs off the top of the Aiguille Rouge are sure to get your heart pumping.

Tignes is home to a fantastic selection of ski schools, catering to all ages and abilities. Whether you're a complete beginner, an intermediate skier building confidence, or an advanced rider eager to explore off-piste, you'll find a school and instructor to suit your needs.

Main Ski Schools

• ESF (École du Ski Français): The well-established national ski school.
• Evolution 2: Another popular choice known for its range of lessons.
• Independent Schools: A host of smaller, independent schools offering a more personalised experience.

Types of Lessons

• Group lessons: A great way to learn in a fun and sociable environment, often more affordable. Prices typically start from around €200 for a week of morning or afternoon sessions.
• Private lessons: Offer a more tailored, one-on-one approach that can help you progress quickly. Expect to pay from €60 per hour for a private instructor.
• Children's lessons: Schools in Tignes provide a range of fun and engaging lessons for kids, with dedicated learning areas and experienced instructors. Many also offer supervised lunch options, allowing parents to enjoy a full day on the slopes.

Make the most of your trip to Tignes with these helpful tips:

• Book in advance: As a popular resort, it's advisable to book your accommodation, ski lessons, and transfers well ahead of time, especially during peak season.
• Get a Tignes-Val d'Isère lift pass: To fully explore the extensive ski area, ensure your lift pass covers both Tignes and Val d'Isère.
• Take a bus: The different villages in Tignes are efficiently connected by a free bus service, operating from early morning until late at night.
• Don't miss the Grande Motte: Take the funicular and cable car to the top of the Grande Motte glacier for breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best snow conditions in the resort.
• Explore Val d'Isère: Take advantage of a day trip to the neighbouring resort of Val d'Isère, which is included in your Tignes-Val d'Isère lift pass. It's a beautiful resort with a charming village and fantastic skiing.

Lift pass prices in Tignes vary depending on the time of season and the duration of the pass. For the most up-to-date information, it is best to check the official Tignes website.

To make the most of the huge ski area, be sure to get a lift pass that covers both Tignes and Val d'Isère.