Tignes Ski Resort Guide
Consisting of 5 separate villages at varying altitudes, Tignes provides the convenience of a purpose-built resort and is rightly considered one of the top ski destinations in France.
Tignes Val Claret sits highest in the natural valley at an altitude of 2100m and gives great access to the Grande Motte glacier and the more challenging pistes for experienced skiers and snowboarders. The bulk of the accommodation found here is self-catering, but there are also some attractive new hotels to be found between the high-rise apartment blocks.
Tignes Le Lac is regarded as the centre of the resort and features a greater array of amenities and apres-ski activities – including bars with sun terraces, the swimming pool, sports centre and spa. Access to more beginner pistes starts from here and Le Lac does feel much more like a complete resort than some of the other areas. Just around the corner – Tignes Lavachet is a smaller area with a quieter feel to it. Accommodation tends to be cheaper here and as such it is home to many of Tignes seasonal workers.
The recently redeveloped and vastly improved Tignes 1800 sits just above the large Chevril dam and boasts an impressive apartment / hotel block in the Kalinda Village. Access to the slopes is easy with a fast bubble lift, but after the lifts close the connection to the main Tignes resort is reserved to the free bus.
Tignes Les Brevieres sits in the shadow of that same dam, and is regarded as the prettiest of all the Tignes areas. It has its own church and a river flowing through the village too. Life tends to be quieter here and often suits families better – there are a few lively bars however – but no connection to the main resort after the lifts close.
Skiing in Tignes
With its high-altitude setting and convenient, purpose-built accommodation, Tignes offers one of the most snow-sure and convenient skiing experiences in France. What the resort lacks in charm it easily makes up for by providing access to some of the best ski terrain in Europe. Sharing the huge Espace Killy ski area with its posher neighbour, Val d’Isere, Tignes offers over 300km of pistes linked by lifts. Beyond that, there is also some of the best and most easily-accessible off-piste skiing to be had anywhere on the continent.
Offering something for everyone, Tignes is unapologetic about concentrating on what is important – the skiing and snowboarding. It may not boast the most beautiful of buildings, but if you take a holiday here you’ll be far too busy enjoying the amazing snow to even notice.
