Tignes ski resort guide by Snowjet.co.uk

Tignes Overview

Tignes and its more celebrated neighbour Val d’Isere make up the awesome l’Espace Killy ski area. Less pricey and more down to earth than Val, Tignes is the perfect spot to make the most of this extensive and well-connected intermediate’s playground. The off-piste is hard to beat too. The snow-sure resort, which has always been popular with the French, is growing in popularity with Brits as we bet increasingly on high altitude skiing. And you can appreciate why. Where else can you ski for ten months of the year?

Getting To Tignes

Check out the ViaMichelin site for route planning.

You can cover the 142km from Chambery airport to Tignes in less than 2 hours. In resort traffic is restricted and parking strictly controlled. There’s precious little indoor parking so pre-book to ensure your motor doesn’t get left out in the cold. Inside parking comes at a premium, so a transfer from the airport can be a cheaper option. If you do drive, factor in the weather when planning your return schedule, particularly if you’ve got a flight to catch. A lot of snow can come down overnight and the mountain roads can be dangerous and slow going. Snow chains are essential for the trip. If you’ve been parked outside all week you may find you have to dig the car out before you can go anywhere.

Tignes is made up of four villages. As you drive up the mountain you’ll come first to Les Brevières, then Les Boisses, next Le Lac and finally Val Claret. Val Claret, located at 2100m, is the hub of the resort in terms of lifts, shops and bars. Convenient it may be, but Val Claret certainly isn’t pretty. A product of 1960s architecture, the place is something of a concrete jungle, dominated as it is by unsightly high-rise apartment blocks. Le Lac is also well-linked lift-wise and is much more aesthetically pleasing. However, here Val Claret still looms large in the background. If it is something more traditionally Alpine you’re looking for, stay further down the valley at Les Boisses or Les Brevières, where there is not a high-rise in sight. Both have lift access and the runs back down to the villages are tree lined and pleasant. With the assistance of canons the snow holds up here until mid-April.

What's on in Tignes

31st December 2008 – New Year’s Eve
Hosting a massive slope-side party featuring world renowned djs, Tignes is THE place to see in 2009.

3rd–10th January 2009 – Tignes Airwaves
A select group of the world’s best riders compete in the number 1 snowsports event in Europe. In addition to established freestyle events such as half-pipe, skier-cross and moguls, some alternative snowsports will also be showcased.

7th-14th March 2009 - Freeride World Tour 09
Tignes hosts the penultimate stage of the extreme skiing tour. The competition sees the world’s elite freeride skiers and boarders dropping massive cliffs and straight-lining narrow gullies in a bid for off-piste supremacy.

21st- 28th March 2009 – European Gay Ski Week
One week of skiing and partying dedicated to the European gay skiing community.

The Mountain

View Espace Killy lift map

View Tignes lift pass rates.

But purpose-built Tignes is all about the mountain. From Val Claret you can catch the funicular which will whip you up to the foot of the Grande Motte cable car in impressive time. If you’re claustrophobic you might want to take the more scenic route via the Lanches and Vanoise chairs. At the summit of the Grande Motte (3450m), take in the impressive panoramic view of the Alps before choosing your route down. From here you can cruise all the way back to resort, a massive 1350 vertical descent, on a variety of wide, well-groomed pistes. Or stay high on the north facing Grande Motte slopes where the snow is bound to be in optimum condition.

A cursory glance at the piste map, which is dominated by reds and blues, might deter more accomplished skiers from choosing Tignes. However, for advanced skiers the off-piste is where it’s at. From the Col du Palet, for example, you can freeski all the way to Les Arcs. A guide is an absolute must though, as this face is prone to avalanche. The great thing about Tignes is that so much of the powder is easily accessible. Just take a look around at the possibilities. However, no off-piste should be undertaken lightly. If you want to learn more about minimising the risks when skiing off-piste, head to the SPOT (Skiing the Powder of Tignes) which can be accessed from the Col des Vès lift.

Because Tignes is located above the tree-line there’s no tree skiing. The absence of trees means you can easily find natural hits, but if catching air really is your thing there are 2 half pipes and a snowpark. If it is trees you’re after, ski over to Val d’Isere. But that’s a whole other story.

Bars & Clubs in Tignes

View a Tignes resort map.

After a hard day’s skiing, pull up below the foot of Tuffs chair in Val Claret and have a drink in the sun outside the Fish Tank or Grizzly’s Bar. The Crowded House, located underneath the Curling Hotel, a short ski-booted clump away, and run by a leading UK tour operator, is another good option for an après drink. And you won’t feel underdressed if you’ve just come off the hill. For something altogether suaver try Le Caveau for gourmet food. Go late and keep your table for the live entertainment that follows dinner. If you last till the bars close, try the very French Blue Girl or the much cooler Melting pot.

In Le Lac Jam Bar, right on the slopes, is the place to be as the lifts close. It rocks with live music. Loop is ideal for a late afternoon drink in the sun. Or sit by the roaring fire in Alpaka, sipping a cocktail and making use of the WIFI to send e-mails to your work colleagues about what a good time you’re having while they’re in the office. Things can get messy later though, with lethal Mutzig on tap and special offers on shots. If you feel like dancing it’s cheesy at Jack’s or very Dutch at La Grotte du Yeti.

Tignes Après Ski

There are plenty of snow related activities to enjoy when you’re not skiing, including paragliding, snowmobiling and dog sledding. Or swap the dogs for a horse with Ski Jöring. You can even try ice-diving at Le Lac. If you like the water but are not so keen on the ice, L’Espace Aquatique is a vast and modern pool facility with a gym. There’s also a cinema, which very occasionally shows English language films in VO, version originale, and a bowling alley.

Something for the Kids

ESF and Evolution 2 ski schools will get your kids up the hill and skiing at 3 so take advantage of the free lift pass for under-fives. For all you childcare needs try Tignesie Tots, who provide a flexible private nannying service to suit you. Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. If you are looking for something other than skiing to keep the kids amused, try the Grotte de Glace, an ice cave up on the Grande Motte glacier, containing incredible ice sculptures of dinosaurs and prehistoric man. The highlight is a massive mammoth, some 6m tall and 10m wide. The grotto is well worth a visit whether you’re young or not so young. If you’re not skiing, you can buy a return ticket for the relevant lifts as a foot passenger. At the Espace Aquatique there are triplet waterslides and a ball pit. And there are bungee-trampoline thingies in both Val Claret and Le Lac.