Tignes Ski Resort, France

Overview of Tignes

High altitude, convenient, snow-sure and hard-core – just a few of the fitting superlatives to describe skiing in Tignes. If you are looking for excellent snow, the resort’s altitude of 2100m will provide this whether it’s November or April.

Tignes offers wide pistes, hugely varied terrain and some of the best lift-served off-piste in the world. Visit Tignes if, for you, skiing comes first and stopping for lunch is considered a weakness. Don’t ski Tignes if you’re looking for a chocolate box village – the purpose-built resorts of Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret are function-over-form, although the views across the lake are beautiful, especially at sunrise or sunset. The old villages of Les Brevières or Tignes 1800 have more in the way of a little rustic alpine charm and some trees.

Tignes chalets are all close to a piste or ski lift and the 24-hour bus service means you can pick your runs and never have to worry about how you’ll get home (just don’t get stuck on the Val d’Isère side after lifts close as this will cost you). Most Tignes chalet guests prefer first lifts to late nights but you will always find a few friendly seasonnaires living the ski hard/party-hard lifestyle. If you take your skiing seriously, you definitely need to ski in Tignes this season! We also offer a great range of ski apartments in Tignes, from budget options to luxury.

Keep reading to learn more about this resort and why to go on a Tignes ski holiday.

3 Things We Love About Tignes

1. Quality Ski Area – The size and the terrain of the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area rank it amongst the best ski areas in the world, with 300km of marked piste.
2. Snow Sure – At 2100 metres, Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret offer as good a guarantee of snow as any other resort stations in Europe all winter long. The Grand Motte Glacier is even open in summer, so you can always be sure there is top skiing available in Tignes.
3. Ski Convenience – The high altitude of Tignes’ villages means there is plenty of accommodation which is within easy reach of the slopes, if not ski-in/ski-out.

Skiing and Boarding in Tignes

Tignes skiing is high, snow-sure and awesome. Everyone will find something to please, but the resort really comes into its own for intermediates to experts.

Piste breakdown

Here is a piste breakdown:

Beginners - All five of the villages have their own free nursery slopes to get beginners up to speed.

The best are in Lavachet and Val Claret. From there, you can take the Fresse lift up to the gentle rolling greens of the Ski Tranquille zone or join the snowboarders practising their jibs over by the Palafour lift in Le Lac.

Intermediates, after making a tour of the valley on the lovely blues starting at the Chaudanne lift and finishing at the Paquis or vice versa, should head straight for the Grande Motte and feel the thigh-burn coming down the lovely fast wide red slopes. The Palafour is also a perfect place to play or practice your carving down from the top of the Grattalu chair. Don’t forget the obligatory photo-stop at the eye of the needle.

If you can hold your nerve, Trolles, the black piste back down into Le Lac. This will definitely get the adrenaline pumping.

Advanced skiers have the choice of a number of excellent challenging blacks – go for gradient on the Sache, bumps on Silene or sheer speed on Descente.

The lack of trees leaves plenty of open powder fields between the runs and there are also plenty of well-tracked off-piste itineraries to sample. Hire a guide to get the most out of the area and be aware of the risks of skiing off-piste. Head to the Naturide and Le Spot areas, which are patrolled but un-pisted – ideal for fans of skiing ‘au naturel’.

Freestyle - Tignes ski resort features slalom stadiums, a mogul field, a half-pipe and three snowparks (plus the Val Park over in Val d’Isère) for those in need of a freestyle fix.

Cross Country Trails - Within Tignes you'll find 2 cross country trails which cover 3km in Chartreux and 1Km in Brévières.

Lift Passes in Tignes

Tignes is paired with Val d’Isere (next door) to offer 300km of pistes and a further 20km of unpisted but marked ‘ski routes’. Buying a full area pass is the way to go as the neighbouring areas are so well connected that even first time beginners will benefit from having the option to explore far and wide, including heading down to one of the many villages for lunch. In Tignes  you also get 1 free access per day to a swimming pool (“Le Lagon”) and if staying in Val d’Isère you get 1 free access during your stay.

Activities in Tignes

• Tignes Space - The leisure centre, located in the village of Tignes le Lac offers a whole host of activities. Swimming, basketball, volleyball, badminton, football, trampolining, squash, ping pong, climbing wall, golf simulator and a gym!
• Tignes Lagoon – The swimming area in Tignes Space featuring a 25-meter pool and water slides as well as jacuzzis, saunas and a steam room.
• Ice driving – A very popular and not too expensive afternoon activity on the ice course in Les Breviere. Choose from a snazzy rally-style car, quad bike or a 4wd buggy to navigate your way around the 800m track for an hour’s thrilling entertainment, including instruction.
• Ice scuba-diving - A once-in-a-lifetime experience for seasoned or beginner divers. Buddy up with your instructor, don your cosy dry-suit and plunge into the water of Tignes Lake to witness an almost space-like environment and see the ice crystals forming under the water.
• Dog sledding – A fun and traditional snow activity available for all ages. Great to do in a group and will provide a memory both kids and adults will cherish.

Après Ski in Tignes

• SoBar, Lavachet - Offers a wine tasting session as well as live music and themed evenings. This small, trendy and personal bar is the perfect place to start the evening, serving French tapas alongside Mexican-inspired specials and bar snacks like paninis and jacket potatoes.
• Saloon, Val Claret - Always a popular choice for people staying in Val Claret and is the liveliest night spot for Brits. A decent happy hour and a tasty menu of pub-style food such as burgers and hot dogs.
• Loop Bar, Le Lac – Occupying a sun trap at the end of a bustling terrace, Loop is a seasonnaire favourite. Whether it’s an afternoon in the sun or an evening inside dancing to some live music, Loop never fails to provide a memorable night out.
• Couloir, Val Claret – A great spot to hang out, enjoy their range of bottled and draught beers as well as a hefty choice of spirits if you fancy a cocktail. The food menu is thoughtful and a cut-above ‘pub grub’ if you fancy a bite, plus they always have sport on the big screens.
• Brasero’s, Lavachet - Always a good bet for a fun night out is Brasero’s. Live music, great food and a cosy atmosphere. Everybody’s happy!

Places to Eat in Tignes

• Aspen Café, Val Claret - Famous for its burgers! A great spot to sit outside on a sunny day in between long runs from the top of the glacier.
• Braseros, Lavachet – Offering a great French meal deal for just €25 for fondue or raclette and half a bottle of wine. You probably won’t be able to finish it!
• Loop Bar, Le Lac - If you want it cheap and cheerful then head to Loop Bar between 16.00 and 18.00 for their après food specials. Their chilli dogs are just €5, ideal if you want a quick snack before the evening party.
• Pignatta, Val Claret - Consistently requested by guests and visited by staff. Their very reasonable prices combined with a relaxed ambience and traditional French menu make this a very popular choice.
• L’Eterlou, Le Lac – A traditional Savoyarde restaurant serving classics such as raclette, tartiflette, hearty salads, pizzas and crepes amidst the rustic ambience and décor of an Alpine-style chalet dining room.

Family Features

Please see the ‘Activities’ tab for non-skiing options for families.

• In addition, family-based services in Tignes include pre-bookable nannies, a crèche for toddlers with the ESF ski school and one free entry to the in-resort sports centre; Tignespace, with your 6-day lift pass (adults and children).