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. You have chosen well – this world-renowned resort's altitude of 2100m and its skiing up to 3456m on the Grand Motte glacier guarantees great snow from November to May.

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.

3 Things We Love About Tignes

1. Quality Ski Area – The size and the terrain of the Tignes-Val d'Isere 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 simply great. Everyone will find something to enjoy here, and the resort really comes into its own for intermediates and experts.

In the ski area of Tignes and Val d'Isere, there are 158 pistes: 22 green pistes, 61 blue pistes, 46 red pistes, and 25 black pistes. The Espace Killy (the old but still sometimes used name for the ski area) is also renowned for having a vast amount of off-piste terrain so each year it attracts many advanced off-piste and freeride skiers.

Skiworld offers the full area pass as part of the holiday package, which covers the entire Tignes-Val d'Isere ski area. The neighbouring areas are so well connected that even first-time beginners will benefit from having the option to cover the entirety of the ski area.

Beginner

• All five of the villages of Tignes have their own free nursery slopes to get beginners up to speed (drag lift in Les Brevieres, magic carpets in Les Boisses, drag lift in Le Lavachet, magic carpet and Rosset chairlift in Le Lac, and magic carpets in Val Claret).
• Once feeling more confident, some good runs to progress to include: the green run Myrtilles which snakes through the trees down into Les Brevieres, the wide blue run Palafour in Le Lac, and the runs down from the Bollin and Fresse chairlifts in Val Claret.
• Also in Val Claret, if you take the Tichot then the Grattalu chairlifts up, you'll find a nice wide blue run all the way down into Val Claret.

Intermediate

• Try out the selection of blue or red runs down from the Chaudannes or Aguille Rouge chairlifts above Les Brevieres.
• The blue run Genepy, accessed from the top of the Grande Motte funicular, is a favourite amongst our Skiworld staff: a lovely long and gentle run in a really peaceful part of resort.
• For slightly more challenging red runs, head to the top of the Grande Motte glacier and you can ski one long run all the way down into Val Claret. The Double M red run underneath Les Lanches chairlift is a classic here. It is a nice wide red which can sometimes be icy, but when it's good it is great for carving.
• Once you're progressing to a more advanced level, for your first black run try the run called Johan Clarey from the top of the Toviere gondola back down into Le Lac. This run starts off quite gentle (more like a red) then gets steep right at the end (but you can dodge the really steep bit if you want by turning off right and then joining on to the Rosset beginner slope). This is also a really useful run to conquer as it's the easiest way back down into Tignes le Lac from the Val d'Isere side of resort.

Advanced and Off Piste

• For some steep skiing, head to the top of the Grande Motte glacier and try the Descent black run.
• Head to the iconic landmark "The Eye of the Needle" ("Aguille Percée" in French) and have a go at the un-pisted black run underneath it. This area also has some great off-piste opportunities, starting right from in the eye of the needle.
• Test your endurance on the longest black run in resort, La Sache (accessed from the top of the Aguille Perceée chairlift). This black run can be an absolute joy in good conditions (although often has ice and moguls), with varying steepness, amazing views, and in a peaceful area away from the main part of resort.
• The Sache black run is located in the Sache Valley which in itself is an amazing off-piste area. There are lots of different off-piste routes to explore here, including some more mellow power fields and some steeper couloirs. You can then join on to the red run back down to Les Brevieres.
• Accessed from the Merles chairlift, explore the powder fields in the Golf area, so named as in summer it is home to the highest golf course in Europe. Here, there is an un-pisted black run or, on either side of this run, plenty of gentle off-piste terrain.
• Bus stop runs: some classic off-piste runs accessed from top of the Chaudannes chairlift which head down to the main road in between Les Boisses and Le Lac. There are then bus stops along the road here, specifically put in place to get off-piste skiers back to resort.
• Explore the Toviere playground on either side of the Toviere ridge. Here you can find off-piste routes, including some easier side-piste hits next to the Johan Clarey black run.
• For snowy days with worse visibility, try out some tree skiing in Les Brevieres. But be aware there are quite a few cliffs in this area.

Park

• The Tignes snowpark is located in Val Claret, under the Grattalu chairlift. Here there is a variety of levels of jumps, as well as rails and boxes.
• Even if you have the Tignes-only lift pass, you can still access the Val d'Isere park, which is down from the Toviere bubble and can be lapped using the magic carpet and drag lift.
• There is a border cross located next to the Tignes snowpark, accessed from the Col du Palet button lift.
• Find the family-friendly mini boardercross underneath the Bollin chairlift, with fun features such as tunnels, a bridge to ski over, and a bell to ring at the end.

Additional Tips

• Head up to the iconic landmark the "Eye of the Needle" for amazing views and some cool photo opportunities
• There is a nice picnic decking area at top of Aguille Rouge chairlift.
• If you fancy trying out some cross-country skiing, or just want to go for a walk, there are some nice trails in the Chartreux area between Le Lac and Val Claret (next to the frozen lake and where the summer golf course is).
• While it can often get very icy and moguly later in the day, the Johan Clarey black run in Le Lac can be a beautiful run to carve down first thing in the morning.
• The Palafour blue run in Le Lac has some great little side hits for playing around on, as well as a section where it splits at the bottom and the left side turns into a natural half pipe.
• We definitely recommend heading over to Val d'Isere during your holiday to explore more of the ski area.

When skiing or snowboarding in any un-patrolled / un-pisted area, you should always have the correct equipment and employ the services of a qualified mountain guide. Skiing or snowboarding off-piste can result in injury or death even with a professional mountain guide or instructor. Our partner ski schools in Tignes, Evolution 2 and New Generation, offer off-piste lessons and guiding.

Activities in Tignes

• Tignespace - The leisure centre, located in Tignes le Lac, offers a whole host of activities: basketball, volleyball, badminton, football, trampolining, squash, ping pong, a climbing wall, a golf simulator, and an indoor skate park!
• Le Lagon - A swimming pool and gym, featuring a 25-metre pool and water slides as well as jacuzzis, saunas and a steam room. The gym also puts on various exercise classes during the week, including spin class.
• Bungee Jumping - The 'Bun J Ride' is a 30m ramp that you slide off on skis/snowboard (harnessed to bungee cords!), sending you off a breathtaking 40m drop before riding a zip-line safely back to the ground.
• Cinema - Head to the two-screen cinema in Val Claret to catch a film in the evening, or even during the day if the weather is bad. Relaxing fun for the whole family.
• Helicopter Tours - Choose from a variety of tours to suit your budget and bravery! Everything from a 5-minute flight over the resort to an hour-long tour of the iconic Mont Blanc and the surrounding glaciers.
• Expedition Cobra sledging - Head out for an adrenaline-filled evening and sledge down a sledging-specific path made on the Palafour piste in Le Lac. This is quite extreme sledging so not recommended for young children, but amazing fun for older children and adults!

Evolution 2 activities

In Tignes, Evolution 2 hosts a great variety of non-skiing activities. Below are just some examples. You can book any of these activtities online . 

• Ice scuba-diving - A once-in-a-lifetime experience for seasoned or beginner divers. Buddy up with your instructor, put on your cosy dry suit, and plunge into the water of the frozen 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.
• Parapenting - Explore the skies and enjoy the views of the mountain range on a whole other level.
• Ice floating - A relaxing experience as you float in a cut out part of the frozen lake.
• Ice driving - A very popular and not-too-expensive afternoon activity on the ice course in Les Brevieres. 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.

Après Ski in Tignes

• Loop Bar, Le Lac - Occupying a sun trap on a bustling terrace, Loop is a seasonnaire favourite, with apres bands performing every day of the week. 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.
• Brasero, Lavachet - Great food and a cosy atmosphere, always a good option for a nice evening out.
• The Marmot Arms, Le Lac - Fun English-style pub showing sports, with live apres music on some days.
• Cocorico, Val Claret - One of the most popular apres venues in Tignes, with a large outdoor terrace hosting live bands and DJs everyday.
• Le Moose, Le Lac - A pub with more chilled vibes, playing sports and with a pool table and sun terrace.
• Blue Girl, Val Claret - Late night venue for those wanting to continue the party into the early hours.
• La Folie Douce - Located on the mountain at the midway point between Tignes and Val d'Isere, La Folie Douce Val d'Isere is the original Folie Douce - the most iconic apres ski venue in France. Head here from mid-afternoon for DJs, professional dancers, and some (less-professional) dancing on tables by the masses. Even if you have a Tignes-only lift pass, you can still access this venue. 

Places to eat in Tignes

As in all ski resorts, especially in peak season (or when heavy snow brings everyone on the mountain!), it is best to book your restaurant in advance.

On the mountain

• Le Panoramic - Located at the top of the Grande Motte funicular, this restaurant has a casual café style section for laid back lunches as well as an intimate alpine restaurant for more of a fine dining experience.
• Les Marmottes - Located at the bottom of the Borsat chairlift, this self-service restaurant has a large sun terrace and gives very sizable portions for a hearty but relaxed lunch.
• Lo Soli - Nice location at the top of the Chaudannes chair lift, offering good food in a relaxed atmosphere.

In town

• Le Brasero, Lavachet - Great pizzas as well as other family-friendly options.
• Loop Bar, Le Lac - Offering chilled American diner vibes. Ideal if you want a quick meal before the evening party kicks off.
• Pignatta, Val Claret - Consistently requested by guests and visited by staff. Their very reasonable prices combined with a relaxed ambience and traditional French menu, as well as great pizzas, makes this a very popular choice.
• Aspen Cafe, 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.
• L'Escale Blanche, Le Lac - A traditional Savoyarde restaurant serving classics such as raclette, tartiflette, hearty salads, and pizzas amidst the rustic ambience and décor of an Alpine-style chalet dining room.
• Tignes Cuisine, Le Lac - With a great sun terrace, Tignes Cuisine serve delicious burritos, noodle bowls, and rice bowls. The perfect lunch spot in Tignes le Lac.
• Kodo, Lavachet - Serving Asian inspired dishes, this is a favourite amongst both our staff and our guests. Be sure to book in advance and make sure you order the Bang Bang Brocolli to start!
• L'Armailly, Les Brévières - A traditional restaurant where you'll not only find all the alpine classics on the menu (as well as amazing pizzas) and an extensive wine list but also a rustic ambience and excellent service.
• Restaurant Ursus, Val Claret - Michelin star restaurant for a real treat while you're in Tignes. Also offer a tasting menu.

Family Features Tignes

Please see the 'Activities' and 'Ski Schools' sections for a wealth of non-skiing and skiing options for families.

Depending on the age of your child, there are a few childcare options available in Tignes.

• ESF kids club - ESF have a kindergarden ski area in Tignes le Lac and Val Claret, for children age 3 to 5.
• Evolution 2 Yeti Cub - Another kindergarden ski area hosted by Evolution 2, for children from 2.5 years.
• Boubird Childcare - Nanny and babysitter service.
• ABSki Childcare - Nanny and babysitter service.