Tignes Ski Holidays

Description

Tignes is without doubt one of the world’s most popular ski resorts. With the Grande Motte Glacier providing year round skiing it is a snow sure resort all winter and many people even choose to visit it in the summer months.

Tignes is linked with the renowned resort of Val d’Isere to form the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area. Together they create an immense skiable domain, with two glaciers and over 300km of piste to play with making it one of the largest ski areas in Europe.

Unlike many adjoining resorts, Tignes and Val d’Isere are naturally connected - with only one lift separating them. This ease of accessibility between the resorts has made the full area lift pass very popular for all experiences as both resorts have such a wonderful array of slopes that everyone will be able to take advantage of. The vast and varied pistes include 21 green, 69 blue, 44 red and 25 black runs including the world famous La Face and La Sache.

Tignes consists of five villages; Les Brevieres, Tignes 1800, Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret - all villages are at different heights connected by a single road. All of the villages have direct access to the slopes and no matter where you stay you are only ever a few lifts away from the central village of Le Lac. Les Brevieres and 1800 are the lowest villages. Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret all rest at 2100m. These three are the biggest and form the main area of the resort.

The village of Tignes Le Lac was not founded until 1952, when the original village of Tignes was flooded to make the dam and the Lac de Chevril. The original villagers were given pieces of land to create a new village, what is now the village of Le Lac. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the first ski lift was built to connect Les Brevieres with its neighbours. However Tignes and Val d’Isere were put on the map when they hosted events in the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games. Tignes hosted the freestyle events whilst Val d’Isere held the Alpine skiing including the Men’s Downhill.

All the villages of Tignes are home to a host of shops, restaurants and bars as well as plenty of accommodation from self-catering apartments to incredible chalets and hotels. Its cosmopolitan centres combined with the vast ski area have made it one of the most popular Alpine skiing destinations, ticking many of the criteria that holidaymakers look for.

Getting There

Unless you have booked a package holiday where the travel is all sorted for you, you will have to think about how you are going to get to and from resort. Despite being tucked away in the Alps and with only one road in or out, there are plenty of options for getting to Tignes.

Fly

The most common way to get to the resort is to fly. There are four local airports to Tignes:

•   Chambery- 142km- 2 hrs
•   Geneva- 221km- 2hr50
•   Grenoble- 223km- 2hr45

• Lyons- 219km- 2hr45

During the winter season (December- April) there are a huge number of flights in and out daily from all four of the above airports. Grenoble and Chambery tend to be busier at weekends and are closed during the summer months. Whereas Geneva and Lyons are both international airports so remain busy all year round. Which airport you choose to fly to will depend on cost and your UK departure airport. Geneva has the most options, with plenty of flights from a range of destinations. Chambery is the closest airport but is small and can be hectic. It also has very few scheduled flights with the majority of their arrivals being chartered tour operators. Grenoble is similar to Chambery but has more scheduled flights. Lyon is much larger than Chambery and Grenoble and has a lot of arriving European flights rather than UK based ones.

Transfers from the Airport

There are several companies who offer shared and private transfers to get you from the airport to the resort. It is worth checking transfer arrangements before booking flights especially if you want a shared transfer as these are less regular and you don’t want to be waiting around at the airport.

Which transfer company you use will depend on your group size, flight times and budget. It is also important to factor in how much luggage you are taking, especially if you are bringing any equipment. There is limited room in the boot so it might be better to make the transfer company aware in advance so they can factor the luggage space in, so as the vehicle does not get too cramped. Our recommended transfer companies include:

Alti-Bus provides shared transfers from Geneva, Chambery and Lyon.

Alpine Sherpa provide shared and private transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Grenoble.

Ben’s Bus offer direct shared transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble airport. They mostly run only at the weekends and Fridays so are not available to use midweek.

Cool Bus run private transfers from any resort within the Tarentaise Valley and go to Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. They also offer private transfers up to Tignes from the Eurostar station in Bourg St, Maurice. They also run throughout the week so it is better to contact them directly for the most competitive price as they do not use a flat rate.

Mountain Rescue provide private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. For those travelling on a weekday they often run a discounted service.

Simply Transfers offer private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. They also offer transfers from different resorts and Bourg St. Maurice to Tignes. Shared transfers are available from Geneva only. They are able to accommodate large groups with vehicles up to 60 people.

Whiterides provide private transfers from any airport and train station throughout the week to any resort in the Tarentaise Valley. Resort-to-resort transfers are also available.

Snowdrone provide luxury shared and private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. Their private transfers are very flexible and can operate from anywhere within the Tarentaise Valley to Tignes.

If you are looking for a bit more luxury and an even shorter transfer time then Whitetracks Helicopters offer transfers for up to 4 people from any of the above airports and provide a separate vehicle for luggage. Helicopters are susceptible to the weather though, if there is any cancellation vehicles are provided at no extra cost.

Train

The nearest train stations to Tignes is in Bourg St. Maurice which is approximately 45 minutes away from the resort. The Eurostar runs from London St Pancreas and Kent Ashford directly to Bourg St. Maurice. There is also a night Eurostar service which does allow some extra time to squeeze in a few more hours on the mountain. Although the train takes longer than flying it is more environmentally friendly but also it can be economically friendly too when travelling with lots of luggage as no extra charges are incurred for the quantity and weight of luggage.

Drive

Many people do enjoy driving out to the Alps, this can especially can be helpful with lots of luggage as there is no weight restriction. If coming from the UK, you can either take the ferry or travel via the Channel Tunnel. The Channel Tunnel departs approximately every 15 minutes from Folkestone and takes 35 minutes. Prices start from £90 each way. To book your crossing head to https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/home/.

Alternatively the ferry runs from Hull to Zeebrugge or Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries. The Hull ferry operates daily and runs overnight arriving in Zeebrugge at 08:45am. The Dover to Calais ferry operates multiple times every day, up to 23 times and takes 90 minutes. To book either of these ferry crossings head to http://www.poferries.com/en/portal.

Upon arrival in France/ Belgium remember to drive on the right hand side of the road! Also note that there will be several tolls along the route to your final destination, these will all be located on the opposite side of the car to the driver, so it is easy to have a passenger ready to make payments and take any receipts. The prices of these tolls will vary on the route that you take, the approximate cost of these tolls will be 75€.

European travel/ vehicle requirements are very strict and on the spot fines can be issued if you do not meet the requirements. The most common of these are headlight converters, GB sticker, warning triangle, spare bulbs, breathalysers, and high viz vests for each passenger in the car.

Although the local municipalities work tirelessly to keep the roads clear, there are times when the roads may become snowy or icy. It is a legal requirement in France to carry snow chains in your vehicle, if you do not, the police will refuse you access on certain mountain roads. When driving in these conditions, slow down when you encounter any snow, use high gears to avoid wheel spin and keep moving when driving up an incline on snow.

It can be useful to have a car whilst you’re in resort if your accommodation is far away from the centre and slopes. Even though Tignes is quite spread out as a resort, it is very easy to get around with an excellent lift service and a free bus service running between Val Claret, Le Lac and Le Lavachet, plus a second free bus between Tignes 1800 and Le Lac

In terms of parking in Tignes there are five covered car parks and one uncovered car park throughout the villages. The largest being in Le Lac, Lavachet and Val Claret. You must have a car permit to park in any of these which are available from the tourist office in Maison des Tignes for either a day or a week. There is also a large free outdoor parking in Val Claret. Traffic wardens frequently patrol the streets and towing and ticketing is quite a common occurrence, especially if they are wanting to clear the roads of snow.

When to Go

With peaks running up to a dizzying 3,455 metres, Tignes is a high-altitude and snowsure ski resort, so from December’s early-season period right through to the end of April, skiers and snowboarders here can experience as good a snowfall as the Alps has to offer. The glacier skiing available offers mapped pistes far higher than many other resorts across Europe, and it’s this amazing snow record that keeps people coming back winter after winter.

Festive celebrations

When Christmas and New Year tick round in Tignes, the resort makes a big effort for visitors. Tignes isn’t a very pretty resort so it’s slightly lacking on the festive charm front, but what it lacks there, it more than makes up for in hassle-free ski access. For New Year, revellers gather for the traditional fireworks, and Tignes’ spectacular location high in the Alps makes for a spectacular setting.

January and February

Once the busy festive period is out of the way, January sees Tignes returning to business as normal. The pistes are typically wonderfully peaceful in early January, with regular dumps of fresh snowfall to enjoy. The entirety of the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area is typically open, with the gondolas and chairlifts whisking eager skiers up to the four corners of the ski area. Pistes are beautifully groomed in the evenings, and the lower temperatures make for beautifully crisp, corduroy slopes each morning.

February is the schools’ half term, with families from France, the UK and farther afield sharing the expansive slopes. Although the queues are sometimes a little longer, the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars of the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area are modern and rapid – perfectly capable of handling the added pressure. With thousands of eager skiers and snowboarders enjoying swift uplift onto the snowy slopes, the extra capacity is rarely a problem.

Spring in Tignes

As the cold winds and heavy snowfall of December and January slowly give way to the longer days, sunnier skies and warmer conditions of March and April, Tignes’ high altitude attracts savvy skiers and snowboarders escaping the retreating snowline lower down the valleys. Many of the resort’s slopes are north facing and therefor sheltered from the sun, and regular flurries of fresh snow keep the pistes in great condition.

Authorities advise extreme caution to skiers and boarders heading off piste throughout the entire duration of the winter ski season in Tignes, but spring conditions mean the snowpack can be deceptively loose at this time of year. Powerful piste-bashers move the snow around the valleys to where it’s most needed on the pistes, and even when the snow coverage between the mapped runs begins to dwindle, you can still be guaranteed some of the best spring snow coverage of any resort in the Alps in Tignes.

Where to Stay

Tignes is constructed of five different villages. They are all connected by one road, and a bus route regularly runs between them all. Each of the villages vary in size and have all the major facilities. They each have easy access to the extensive lift system for Tignes and connections to Val d’Isère. This allows Tignes to offer a huge variety of accommodation for all budget and sizes.

We have accommodation in all of the villages in Tignes. Below we have listed an outline of all the villages within Tignes and a selection of the accommodation in them.

Les Brevieres

Tignes’ lowest village at 1550m, based at the bottom of the famous dam, Tignes Les Brevieres is the oldest village and the only part of Tignes which was not purpose built. Nestled next to the river, it has a reputation for being the prettiest village in Tignes. The chalets here tend to be more traditional converted farmhouses.

It has excellent skiing lifts provided by the Sache bubble lift. For beginners there is the free Pitots draglift for them to practice on before heading up the main lifts. The village offers many great restaurants. There are not a lot of bars here but there is still a great atmosphere at après time.

Chalet Hotel Chardons Riders Lodge

Chalet Alistelle
Chalet Arabette
Blanc Bleu Apartments

Chalet Ubud

Tignes 1800

This is the quietest village that Tignes has to offer. It is located just across the infamous dam in Tignes. It also houses the reconstruction of the original church which was flooded in the 1950s. The village was renovated a few years ago and has since becoming increasingly popular. Mostly due to the very reasonable prices that all the accommodation there is.

There are good ski connections here as well. The gondola takes you up to the Aiguille Percee and then access to Le Lac is just a short ski down. There is also a free magic carpet for beginners in the vicinity as well.

The restaurant and après scene are quite limited here with most of them contained within the few hotels. However it is home to the unusual Wilderness Camp which would be a great experience for one night during your stay. Alternatively it is a 10 minute bus ride up to Le Lac and this runs throughout the day.

Kalinda Apartments

Chalet Alpinium 1
Chalet Alpinium 2
Chalet Hotel Le Dome

Le Lavachet

Le Lavachet is a hamlet located just outside Tignes le Lac. This village is easily linked to Le Lac by a frequent bus service up to Val Claret. This is a slightly smaller and quieter village than the other two, but there is still quite a selection of bars and restaurants around.

Access up the mountain is easy here via the shuttle bus to Le Lac or a short walk to the Chaudannes or Paquis chairlifts.

Chalet Isabelle

Chalet Ramo
Chalet Amelie

Chalet Annapurna

Le Lac

This large village is located right at the heart of Tignes at the side of the lac de Tignes. This is the village where all the original residents were located to in 1952, when they created the dam. Residing at 2100m, it is the most popular village to stay in. There is an abundance of bars and restaurants as well as all types of accommodation dotted around. It is a large village but this is compensated for by a quick and frequent shuttle that goes around the village as well as linking up to Le Lavachet and Val Claret.

This is also the main hub for lifts, with the Toviere gondola heading straight over to Val d’Isere and the Palafour chairlift whisking guests up to the Aiguille Percee. For beginners there is the free Rosset chairlift and a magic carpet.

Chalet Hotel Aigle
Chalet Aiglon
Chalet Ambre
Chalet Anne Marie
Grand Tourne Apartments
Hotel Le Paquis

Val Claret

Val Claret also rests at 2100m and provides a similar array of restaurants and bars to Le Lac. This occupies the top area of Tignes with the Grande Motte looming over it. The accommodation here is always just a short walk away from the slopes of maximum 5 minutes. Most of the accommodation is also apartments and hotels rather than chalets. There are a few chalets but these tend to be located further away or within an apartment block.

This area of Tignes is renowned for not only an abundance of lifts but also its buzzing nightlife with two of the resorts nightclubs housed within the village.

Hotel Apart Hotel Le Chalet Alpina
Chalet Chartreux
Club Med Val Claret
Chalet Valerie

Getting around

Tignes is a large resort with lots of different villages. It has been made quite easy to navigate as well by an efficient transport network. We have listed below the best ways to help you get your bearings once you arrive.

Bus Routes

There is a free bus service running between Val Claret, Le Lac and Le Lavachet and a second free bus between Tignes 1800 and Le Lac.

Ski Lifts

Tignes has an efficient lift system which is regularly being updated over the years. There are several major lifts which service each of the villages and whisk guests up the mountain. These include the Toviere bubble in Le Lac, the funicular in Val Claret and the Sache in Les Brevieres.

Taxi

Taxis are an efficient way to get around the resort, especially if you are staying in one of the smaller villages. However not all companies work every night so it is advisable to book a taxi in advance.

On Foot

Tignes is quite a hilly resort. It is doable to walk around the villages themselves and it is very easy to walk between Lavachet, Lac and Val Claret. However the route down to Les Boisses and Les Brevieres is on a busy mountain road with no footpath, so it much safer to take a bus or book a taxi.

Getting To Val d’Isere

To get there on skis simply take the Toviere or the Fresse lifts up and then ski down into the villages of Val d’Isere. Alternatively there is a regular bus which links the two resorts until 19:50. The bus costs approximately 6€.

Apres

Tignes has quite a lot of après choices with many local bars. It is fairly quiet though so if you are wanting to spend some time at Val d’Isere’s Folie Douce, it is a simple lift away from Tignes. The link-lift shuts between 16:30 and 17:00, but you do have time to enjoy the apres ski and still get back to Tignes. There are also buses and taxis back to Tignes if you do get stuck.

Loop Bar is widely considered the pinnacle of the après scene in Tignes - a popular venue for both seasonnaires and holidaymakers alike. The large sun terrace attracts a large crowd in the later season. Most days there are live bands and DJs bringing a great atmosphere.

Alpaka is an English run bar in the centre of Le Lac. Dotted around are comfy chairs and sofas with a roaring fire at the centre. It is a very friendly, cosy bar where everyone is welcome.

Queue de Cochon is a hidden gem tucked away in the centre of Lavachet. They have an extensive gin bar and a reputation for having the best cocktail menu in town. They also have a very good restaurant, allowing them to do special deals at après time such as a 4€ pulled pork burger. The bar has lots of sofas and an extensive outside seating area.

Grizzly Bar is one of Val Claret’s most attractive spots. Located on the very edge of the piste the seats are adorned with luxurious furs and a fire pit occupies the centre keeping everyone toasty. There is even a hand carved wooden bear statue to great guests. It’s not the cheapest venue but the atmosphere is friendly and cosy in the sun.

Le Melting Pot, one of Val Claret’s nightclubs plays a trendy mix of hip hop and drum and bass. It regularly houses guest DJs.

Jack’s Club is Le Lac’s resident night club. Jack’s nightclub specialises in 80s music and is the go to place in Le Lac after all the bars have shut.

Eating out

Tignes has a range of restaurants both in the different villages and all around the mountain. There is such a range that there is definitely something to suit all budgets and tastes

Lo Soli is located at the top of the Chaudannes chairlift on the l’Aguille Percee. Serving a range of classic French cuisine in an efficient self service restaurants. Portions here are very hearty and provide great value for money. They also host a large sun terrace which is ideal in the spring months.

Le Panoramic is located at the base of the Grande Motte glacier. There are two sides to this venue with the Cantine du Panoramic serving great homemade dishes in a self-service style. Dishes such as pizza, salad bar and fresh pasta with a variety of sauces make the Cantine a fabulous stop off point if you are wanting a quick hassle free lunch with no compromise on quality.

Alternatively there is the Panoramic Maison Bouvier, a gourmet restaurant serving a variety of spectacular dishes. A lot of them are available to share, such as fondues and legs of lamb. The setting in this restaurant is renowned, you are greeted by a beret-wearing waiter who shows you a ski boot warming room and offers some fluffy slippers to lounge in the restaurant in. A large St Bernard dog also lives up here and can often be found occupying a large space on the floor hoping guests will give him some attention. After a meat filled or cheesy meal, there is the option of some of the most extravagant desserts on the mountain! If you do not fancy skiing after this then the funicular is available just outside the restaurant to whisk you back down to Val Claret. This is also a great spot for non-skiers to head to and enjoy the mountain views.

La Taverne des Neiges restaurant is located at the base of the Bolin/ Fresse chairlift in Val Claret. This slope side restaurant has an abundance of outside seating is a very convenient stopping point, with six lifts surrounding it, it provides a great meeting point for groups who want to have lunch together but might be skiing in different areas. Pizzas and Savoyard dishes dominate the menu here.

Le Dahu is next to the Tufs chairlift in Val Claret, this is open throughout the day and is great for a quick snack. It also has many child friendly options such as Spaghetti Bolognaise, hot dogs and burgers.

L’Armailly is located in Tignes Les Brevieres close to the bottom of the Sache cable car. This rustic spot specialises in traditional Savoyard dishes and also does a range of typical French cuisine.

After surviving the long black, Sache, into Les Brevieres, you have definitely earned a break at the La Sachette restaurant at the base of this run. With lots of outdoor and indoor space there is range of dishes from steak to fondue and fantastic desserts. This restaurant also holds the title as the oldest restaurant it the Espace Killy, first opening in 1893.

Loop Bar is a popular spot for seasonnaires, this is usually where you will find your chalet team throughout the week. Although more popular for its après, Loop is reasonable and delicious lunch venue. Fine cuisine this is not but the burgers and chilli nachos are definitely worth the visit.

Tignes Cuisine is Tignes resident Asian takeaway. Offering a limited selection of lunch dishes including wraps and stir fry this small venue is frequently packed out. In the evening they offer a wider array with Indian and Thai curries as well as a selection of Chinese options. These can either be eaten in the small diner or picked up as a take away.

Brasero is the sister restaurant of Couloir. Located near to Tignes Le Lac in Lavachet, this restaurant is ideally next to a bus stop running all around the top villages of Tignes. They specialise in pub type cuisine with steaks, seafood and ribs being some of their best sellers. They also regularly have some unusual specials such as kangaroo.

Couloir is well known amongst locals as one of the trendier spots in Val Claret. It has a lively après scene in the bar area, but in the evening and lunch time the restaurants serves some excellent quality creative dishes, that wouldn’t often be found in Alpine resorts. With minimal cheese based choices, the restaurant leans more to a cocktail and tapas menu.

Le Pignatta is one of Tignes many Italian restaurants in the heart of Val Claret. This lively stop does excellent pizza and pasta dishes which all families can enjoy together.

Brasserie L’Escale Blanche serves delicious food throughout the day on both the warmed terrace or inside the modern restaurant. They have a wide pizza and grill menu. This is mostly a popular spot for the chalet night off mid-week, so do reserve if you would like to try it.

La Ferme des Trois Capucines offers a more unusual experience than most restaurants, located in a farmhouse, there are barns at the back with glass windows allowing diners to watch the animals such as goats and sheep. This novelty is combined with high quality Savoyard dishes such as Cote de Boeuf, making it one of Tignes’ hottest spots, a reservation will be necessary throughout the season.

Good for Couples

Clin d'Oeil

Le Rosset 73320

Tignes

+33 479 065 910

Good for Couples

La Table en Montagne

Val Claret 73320

Tignes

+ 33 (0)4 79 01 11 43

Good for Family

Daffy’s Cafe Tex Mex

Tignes

+33 4 79 06 38 75

Good for Family

La Caleche

Tignes

+33 479 065 080

Good for Friends

La Pignatta

Tignes

+33 4 79 06 32 97

Good for Friends

Le Bagus Cafe

Tignes

+33 4 79 06 49 75

Good for Friends

Le Brasero

Tignes

+33 4 79 06 32 97

Activities

If you have a non-skier or if you don’t plan on skiing all day then you might want to consider some non-skiing activities that are available in resort.

As well as the large selection of shops, bars and restaurants that there is to visit, Tignes has a wide variety of alternative activities.

The Lagon Centre sits right on the lake side in Tignes Le Lac. This popular establishment houses a swimming pool, fun pool, paddling pool, gym and spa area. It is great for children and adults alike with separate pools for children to splash in as well as numerous gym and swimming pool fitness based classes for adults. You can also relax after a long day on the slopes in the sauna, hammam or jacuzzi.

Despite being above 2100m, Tignes Val Claret still has a cinema showing the latest releases in both French and British. Most screenings take place in the evening but it is sometimes opened early on bad weather days. To make sure that you go to a showing in English look out for ‘VOST’ on the cinema timetable as this signifies that the film will be in English.

Husky Sledding is available for up to two or three people in one sled. Enjoy a fast paced, energetic ride around Tignes’ lake enjoying the famous view of the surrounding mountains. If you want to be more involved then you can be in charge of your own sled and team of huskies. This is one of the more popular activities and so do book as soon as you can.

If you are looking to do something more unusual then Ice Diving in the Lac de Tignes should do the trick. Plunge up to 80m into the icy depths of the lake through a small hole. There is instruction and a dry suit provided. Suitable for beginner and experienced divers alike.

Fancy whizzing and skidding around on an ice circuit in a flash sports car? Well now you can try Ice Driving in Tignes Les Brevieres. They provide a variety of sessions with instructors. They also offer ice karting which is like go karting along an ice track.

If you fancy some racket sports or a game of football, then head to the Tignespace. Housing multiple courts for squash, tennis, badminton as well as an indoor climbing wall and indoor football pitch.

Dog Sledding

Rue de la Poste 73320

Tignes Le Lac

Tignes

+ 33 (0)7 60 82 10 12

Ice Driving

Les Brévières

Tignes

+33 6 68 52 20 95

Paragliding

Tignes Le Lac

Tignes

+33 4 79 06 30 28

Ski School

There are many ski schools who cater for all skiing/ boarding abilities in Tignes. From absolute beginners who have never put on a pair of skis before, to those who want to brush up on their skills, to experts who would simply like a guide to show them the best off-piste and find - there's classes for all.

Ski schools will offer both group and private lessons. Group lessons are more sociable and will often work out cheaper but will be less intense than one-on-one tuition.

In order to ensure that you get the right ski school, ability and class size, booking in advance is advisable as availability is limited and does sell out. Advance booking is essential for the peak weeks of Christmas, New Year, Half Term and Easter.

Recommended ski schools in Tignes include:

Ultimate Snowsports have been running in Tignes for over eleven years and have found their success only employing British instructors.

New Generation is one of Tignes smallest ski schools. They offer a wide range of classes, one of their most popular is their skills session which give clients a taste of bumps, steeps, off-piste, carving and park tuition.

Evolution 2 are both a ski school and an ‘Adventure’ school. They offer teaching for all abilities as well as several winter activities such as paragliding, husky sledding and ice climbing. They also offer instruction to children as young as 5 with their Yeti and Junior Academy groups.

The Development Company have highly qualified instructors offer small group lessons to which they refer to as clinics with a maximum of 6 in them. They also offer private lessons. They are a great school if you are looking for something for teenagers who have completed ski school and want new challenges.

Other schools such as ESF and BASS are in operation across Tignes.

Getting around

Bus Routes

There is a free bus service running between Val Claret, Le Lac and Le Lavachet and a second free bus between Tignes 1800 and Le Lac.

Ski Lifts

Taxi

On Foot

Getting To Val d’Isere

Family ski

Tignes is one of the most family friendly resorts in France due to its easy beginner slopes, gentle lifts and abundance of snow throughout the winter. Mountain-goers are drawn to the superb range of slopes, fun après scene and family friendliness so for parents bringing children to the mountains it makes a great choice.

The main resort of Le Lac sits at 2100m altitude making it an excellent destination for holidays both early and late in the season as the snow is bound to be around and there are often some good deals to be had. This is also great for families who are restricted to school holidays, making Easter an excellent time to visit Tignes.

All of the five villages provide at least one free lift for beginners which have direct access onto gentle green pistes. When you have progressed onto bigger lifts there are two beginner areas full of easy runs in the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area, one at the top of the Grattalu lift in Tignes and the other at the top of the Borsat lift in Val d’Isere. For more experienced parents or children then the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area can provide endless challenging runs and intriguing pistes.

For families looking for childcare, there are several options available for them. Families may choose to use the in-house childcare provided by the tour operator or a private nanny service. It is advisable to book your childcare in advance especially if you plan to travel during school holidays in order to secure the care you need and avoid disappointment. Tignes does not have a crèche facility in any of the villages but there is still an abundance of other choices.

In-house childcare

In-house childcare can often be the easiest and most convenient form of care. Families general prefer to book with a tour operator who offer a crèche with English speaking staff and provide similar style childcare that you would receive in the UK.

These tour operators offer a range of childcare for all ages and you can book as much or as little throughout the day as you feel comfortable with. The operators run a structured day of activities including ski school suitable for each age group.

Recommended operators who offer childcare:

Ski Esprit offer a range of childcare from 17 months and ski lessons from 3 years old. They are based solely within Tignes Le Lac and offer a wide range of chalets to choose from.

Chalet Canvolan
Chalet Corniche
Chalet Iceberg
Chalet Petite Charline

Mark Warner offers childcare from 4 months to 12 years old and ski lessons from 4 years in their Chalet Hotel Aiguille Percee and L’Ecrin.

Private Nanny Companies

There are a variety of private nanny specialists in Tignes providing flexible levels of high quality care. They are able to offer individual nannies on a one-to-one basis or supply a couple of nannies to care for a group of children. The childcare can take place on the piste or in your accommodation, depending on your preference. The nannies will usually get in touch with you before you arrive in resort allowing you to give them as much information about your children as possible. In general, this method offers the most in-depth and bespoke childcare programme.

Recommended private nanny companies operating in Tignes:

Jelly and Ice Cream provide childcare in the form of private nannies and babysitting service during the day and the evenings.

ABSki offer private professional nannies throughout the day and they do offer babysitting services in the evening.

Bluebird Childcare pride themselves on being the most qualified nannies in the Espace Killy area. They offer childcare in the form of private nannies and babysitting services in the day and the evenings.

T4 Nannies call themselves the ‘loveliest in the Alps.’ Their handpicked staff offer a high quality service across the Alps.

Group Ski

One of France’s most popular ski resorts for ski groups, Tignes shares the famous Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area ski area with neighbouring Val d’Isère. Its high altitude and expansive terrain make it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, but it’s best suited to intermediates and experts.

Five villages combine to make the resort as a whole, with accommodation options to suit a wide range of group ski holiday requirements; Les Brévières (1,550m), Tignes 1800, Le Lavachet, Tignes Le Lac, and—at the top—Val Claret (2,100m). Tignes le Lac and Val Claret are perhaps the most popular of Tignes’ satellite villages.

Overall, Tignes can’t be described as a pretty ski resort. The majority of the villages were built around the 1960s, but what they may lack in charm and character, they make up for in convenience—which is key when large groups want to meet up for lunch on the mountain. Many of Tignes’ chalets and apartments lie within easy reach of the pistes and lifts, offering hassle-free access into the expansive Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area – a valuable plus-point for families and groups of friends alike.

Accommodation

If you’re new to skiing or you’ve never been to Tignes before, selecting the right kind of accommodation for your group can be daunting. But the resort is home to a fine selection of chalets, hotels and apartments to suit a wide range of budgets – both with and without flights and transfers included.

The catered ski chalet experience

With a host on hand to cook and clean, the catered ski chalet experience is a popular way of making the most of your time in Tignes and the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area. Catered chalets provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and there are plenty to choose from across the resort’s various villages.

From a hearty breakfast with hot and cold options in the morning, to cake and tea on return from the slopes, the half-board catered chalet experience leaves you free to make the most of the snow. Evening meals typically include 3- or 4-course dinners with wine included, with recipes carefully selected to fuel your time on the snow.

The Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area

The Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area is without doubt one of the finest ski areas in France, with sweeping tree runs around 1800, soaring slopes with exceptional snow-cover up at the high-altitude Grand Motte glacier, and a tantalising selection of sweeping intermediate-level pistes across its breadth.

Many people feel that with its hassle-free ski access and gentle terrain within easy reach, Val Claret is the best part of the resort for beginner skiers and snowboarders – with areas like le Lac also suitable. Val Claret boasts at least five swift lifts leading onto the varied slopes, plus a funicular, so ski access is fantastic. You can take the Bollin chair to the half-way point or, for eager intermediates seeking further exploration, stay on to reach the Fresse lift for access to Val d’Isère. There’s also a magic carpet lift in Tigne le Lac ideal for little ones making their first turns on the snow.

Expert skiers and snowboarders in search of deep powder have plenty of backcountry across the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area to explore, but being a popular area the best of it tends to get tracked out quickly.

Freestyle adventure beneath the soaring peaks

There’s a wide range of terrain parks and around the Tignes valley, from the gentle slalom runs and mini boardercross course of the Gliss’Park at the base of the Palafour lift to the Swatch snow park at the Grattalu chairlift.

Here, freeride skiers and boarders from beginner to expert can find features suited to their level – with kickers, rails and boxes plus an air-bag for practising those 360 degree spins with reduced risk of injury. The kickers here aren’t quite as big as those found in neighbouring Val d’Isère, but they’re great for making progress in the game of freestyle skiing and boarding – and the ‘shoot my ride’ system is the perfect way to record and download footage of your time in the park.

Visiting Tignes as a Family

With such a broad range of ski in/out accommodation and top-quality ski schools in operation, it’s no surprise that Tignes remains popular among skiing families. Parents taking the kids to the slopes often need to rely on non-ski activities in case of bad weather or ski-fatigue, and Tignes offers plenty of alternative distractions!

The Lagon Centre in Tignes le Lac is a go-to spot for all kinds of aquatic indoor entertainments – with swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms to entertain visitors of all ages. For kids, the water slides and paddling baths offer the perfect opportunity to burn energy away from the slopes. Elsewhere, non-ski activities on offer in Tignes include indoor-climbing, snow-shoeing, and dog-sledding. Elsewhere, snow-tubing and tobogganing offer thrills and spills on the snowy slopes.

Childcare

Parents taking the kids to the Alps often look for convenience above all else, and with so much piste-side accommodation to choose from Tignes works well. There’s an excellent range of stylish and traditional catered ski chalets with in-house childcare programmes in the Tignes le Lac area, where parents can book the kids into everything from ski school and kids clubs to organised lunches and evening entertainments. Here, pistes running down to the chalets on both sides of the valley make it reassuringly easy for parents to ski home.

There’s a broad range of independent nanny services in Tignes too, with trained and experienced child-carers working hard to make children’s ski holidays unforgettable. UK-based staff safety checks ensure high standards of care, with a flexible approach to caring for and entertaining kids in and around Tignes.

There’s also a brilliant snow garden in Tignes le Lac, ideal for youngsters making their first forays into the Alps. A whole host of entertaining challenges make learning to ski fun – with skilled staff on hand to help ensure steady progress on the snow.

On top of this, Tignes’ sports centre – called Le Lagon – offers a wealth of facilities, activities and services to families looking for adventure away from the snow. There’s a swimming pool with splash pool, climbing wall, plus milti-activity space for basketball, tennis, badminton and more. If bad weather closes in and you’re looking for alternative ways to entertain the children, you’ll find it here.

The Piste

The ski area is split into four sectors; Les Brevieres, Toviere, L’Aiguille Percee and the Grande Motte.

The Grande Motte is Tignes’ glacier standing at a whopping 3450m. This is open for 10 months of the year and many people choose to come to Tignes in the summer just to ski this glacier. It can be accessed by the Funicular and then the Grande Motte Cable Car or by the Lanches, then the Vanoise chairlift and finally the cable car. A wide choice of runs is available off the glacier including challenging red and a few blues.

L’Aiguille Percee is sometimes referred to as the Palet area is accessed from Val Claret via the Tichot chairlift or the Palafour chairlift from Le Lac. This is the starting place of the famous Sache black run. But it is mostly full of cruisey blues and a few reds.

The Toviere sector provides the link with Val d’Isere and is accessed by the Toviere bubble from Le Lac or the Tufs or Bollin chairlifts in Val Claret. There a number of challenging red and gentle blues stemming down from all of these lifts. The particularly challenging ones are the mogul covered Combe Folle and Trolles pistes.

The last section is Les Brevieres which is a nice area to head to in the morning as it traps the early morning sun. The pistes down to here are mostly nice wide blues and the long un-pisted black, the Sache.

Beginners

Tignes has multiple nursery slopes with free lifts, making it an easy place for beginners to grasp the basics. These dedicated nursery slopes are located in Les Brevieres, Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret.

Once you have progressed beyond these, then it is time to head to the designated beginner areas at the top of the Grand Tichot lift in Val Claret. If you are feeling even more confident then Palafour and Chardonnet have some lovely blues heading back into Le Lac.

Intermediates

Tignes is teeming with wide blues and challenging red runs. The modern lift systems benefits intermediates who want to practice their skills and whizz around the area. With 67 blues and 41 red runs across the Espace Killy there is so much to choose from.

The Grande Motte area of Tignes has some more challenging long red runs. These are well-worth skiing, not only because of the pistes, but also because they offer great views all across the valley. Particular ones to look out for are Dahu and Glaciers. Other popular spots for intermediates include the runs down to Les Brevieres, and there are many options here. Many start off as a blue run, or if you’re feeling adventurous then there is the one that starts off as a black, then they continue on into challenging reds such as Chardons. If you are on the verge of wanting something even more challenging then Le Mur on the Toviere side is not always pisted so can provide some nice moguls on a less steep pitch than some of the blacks in the area.

Getting to Val d’Isere is very quick via the Toviere bubble from Le Lac or the Fresse chairlift in Val Claret. Val d’Isere does have a large quantity of blues and reds of varying abilities. These include Borsat-Genepy-Grand Pre-Fontaine Froide circuit or for something even more challenging then the OK run is a world cup downhill run which is fun to try. All of the runs around Val d’Isere are included on the full area Espace Killy lift pass.

Experts

Unlike in many smaller resorts, more advanced skiers will not run out of options in the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area. The option of black trails is excellent including some world famous runs such as the 10km Sache often littered with moguls and a schuss not for the fainthearted.

Many of the runs are not marked as blacks on the piste maps, instead they are labelled ‘naturides.’ These runs retain their natural characteristics by being very rarely groomed. They are still patrolled and cleared of avalanche risks. These can be very challenging runs such as Golf or Oelliet. These are usually marked on piste maps with a starred line as opposed to a solid coloured line signalling actual runs.

As well as having plenty of advanced pistes, the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area has some excellent off piste skiing. Many of the local guides have been skiing the area their entire life so know everything that there is to know about where the best snow is as well as those routes that might be unsafe. The most popular off-piste in Tignes is in the Les Brevieres tree runs. This can be tricky as not all runs lead to a lift and there has definitely been occasions when skiers have ended up at a road and had to hike back out. If you do plan on doing any off-piste it is without doubt a better and safer experience with a guide.

For more experienced off-piste skier it could be nice to sample some of the set tours that the Adventure specialists, Evolution 2 offer. These include a reverse heli tour, where skiers can do the famous off piste from the Toviere bubble and end at the Lac de Chevril where a helicoptered will whisk you back up to Tignes.

Alternatively there is the Tarentaise Tour, which is 70kn of nonstop skiing. The challenging circuit starts in Val d’Isere and continues into the Vanoise National Park all the way to Champagny, bringing you to the renowned Face Nord in La Plagne, from here you can take the Vanoise Express over to Les Arcs where you ski the whole way across the resort to Villaroger and then you are transported back to Tignes.

Ski School

Ski schools will offer both group and private lessons. Group lessons are more sociable and will often work out cheaper but will be less intense than one-on-one tuition.

Recommended ski schools in Tignes include:

Ultimate Snowsports have been running in Tignes for over eleven years and have found their success only employing British instructors.

Other schools such as ESF and BASS are in operation across Tignes.

Equipment Hire

Lift Passes

The Tignes and Val d’Isère lift pass covers the whole of the Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area, giving you access to two glaciers and over 300km of piste. The ski area is suitable for all abilities with 15% green, 42% blue, 26% red and 17% black runs as well as plenty of off piste tracks for the experts.

There are a number of different passes available depending on age and how many days you want to ski. Planning ahead will help you make the most of trip and hopefully save you some money too.

The below lift pass costs are based on the most current prices in resort but may change at the time of booking. All prices are shown in euros.

Adult( 14-64) Child(5-13) Senior (65-74)
½ day 44 35.50 35.50

1 Day 59 47.50 47.50

2 Days 102 82 82

6 Days 294 234 234

There is also a Tignes only local area lift pass available. This limits the lift access to Tignes only so finishes at the top of the Toviere gondola and the top of the Fresse chairlift. These are great if you are a beginner and just want to get used to a specific area for a bit. However most people go for the full Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area lift pass to make the most of the area. The local Tignes pass is only available for ½ day and 1 full day.

Adult (14-64) Child (5-13) Senior (65-74)

½ Day 40 32 32

1 Day 50 40 40

Free passes are available for those who are under 5 years old or 75 years and over (proof of age required). However, they must have the magnetic ‘hands free’ card which costs 3€.

For beginners, there are free nursery slopes with a number of free lifts in the resort. These are the Rosset chairlift, Lac magic carpet, Claret draglift, Bollin chairlift, Lavachet draglift, Boisses Magic carpet and the Pitots draglift. Complete beginners may want to make the most of these free lifts and not buy a pass for their first day.

Family passes are available where everyone pays the child price. The family must be comprised of at least 1 adult (maximum 2) aged 22-74 years old. Anyone aged 5 to 17 years are considered children (proof of age required) and students aged between 18 & 21 years can benefit from the family rate but only when a school certificate is produced. The family lift pass is only applicable when at least 4 Tignes-Val d’Isère Ski Area lift passes are purchased for the same duration (6 or 7 days only) at same time. The exact price of the pass will depend on the breakdown of each family.

Group discounts are only available for groups of 20 people or more. You can get a quote from one of the ski pass offices if you are looking for a group discount.

Season passes are available to buy online and will be discounted if you’re 5-13 or 65-74 years.

Early season discounts are available on lift passes during the first three weeks of the season. There is normally a 10% reduction and depending on snow conditions, may also be accompanied by a reduced ski area.

Disabled persons with a certificate of at least 80% disability are entitled to a 50% discounted disability pass for themselves and their companion. The resort is working hard to make the mountains more accessible to everyone with better and more varied equipment and more specific qualifications for instructors.

For non-skiers, there is a pedestrian pass available. The pedestrian pass is a reduced rate and gives access to the nine lifts, including the Toviere and the Grande Motte Funicular. Pedestrians are encouraged to get up the mountain to enjoy the stunning views and access many of the high altitude bars and restaurants. These are available for either 1 return trip, 1 day or 1 week.

You can pre book your lift pass before you travel online through the Tignes official site and pick it up from one of their dispensers. Alternatively, you can book your lift pass through the tour operator who will deliver it to your chalet upon your arrival. This is generally the easiest method of doing it as you don’t have to worry about the hassle of going to pick it up or buying it in resort and can get straight out on the slopes on your first day.

It is important to remember to keep your receipt when buying your pass in case you lose it. If you do happen to lose the pass then you can get a new one for 10€ when presenting the receipt at the lift pass office.