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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 2100m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[Yes]
Beginners:		[3]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[5]
Snowboarding:		[5]

Tignes is one of the world’s leading ski areas with some of Europe’s highest ski runs and one of the world’s largest summer-ski areas on Grande Motte glacier. This makes it a relatively snow sure resort and it was formerly open year round. Today it has one of the longest seasons in France, staying open in to the first half of May and then re-opening for summer skiing a few months later. The ski area is linked to that of neighbouring Val d’Isere in a 10,000 hectare ski region called the Espace Killy, named after legendary French skier Jean-Claude Killy. This contains 300km (nearly 190 miles) of piste for all ability levels, with 90 lifts and a huge 1,900m vertical drop.

Tignes itself has several different bases at different altitudes on the mountain. Tignes Le Lac, Tignes 2100, Val Claret and Le Lavachet are all at a good altitude where snow is more or less guaranteed down to resort level all winter. There are two villages down in the valley, Tignes les Boisses at 1850m Tignes les Brevieres at 1550m.

The original village of Tignes, which opened its first ski lift in 1936, was submerged beneath a lake when the Chevril Dam opened in 1952. Undeterred, a few of the original ski pioneers settled higher up the mountain at the natural Lac de Tignes at 2100m. The resort expanded dramatically in the 1970s as part of the boom in French ski-in, ski-out villages.

Beginners

Not particuilarly marketed as a beginners’ resort, Tignes does cater well to first-timers none-the-less. There are gentle slopes close to the resort bases that are easy to access and the ski school has special beginners classes. Four ski lifts operate free-of-charge for beginners to practice their technique.

Intermediates

Intermediates should buy the full Espace Killy Pass including Val d’Isere’s slopes and will thus obtain immediate access to more than 100 blue and red runs. A hands free lift ticket system and a good network of high speed lifts makes getting around fast and easy. These include a six seater chair which makes the link to Val d’Isere’s skiing from Val Claret very easy.

Advanced

One of the world’s best resort choices for expert skiers, the opportunities are rarely equalled anywhere. Famous runs include 'The Wall' and the 'Double M' whilst the Tovière mogul runs are also highly regarded as are the Aiguille Percée descents. In addition there are now six ‘Naturides’ – ungroomed black runs that are marked out and made safe but not groomed. Otherwise the ski school will be happy to guide you on numerous off piste itineraries, or you can train with a pro skier in freestyle or skier cross.

Snowboarding

Tignes is a five star destination for boarders. The snowpark has two half pipes – a 70m beginners pipe and a 120m international competition standard pipe. There are also rails, jibs and even a beach zone of chill out in. But the park is just the start. There are two freeride zones – graded easier and more difficult, located below the Aiguille Noire de Pramecou and a boardercross course to enjoy.

Other Activities and Facilities

There’s a lot to do in Tignes besides all the snow sports. Le Lagon was a major development which opened in June 2006. It comprises three sections dedicated to well being including a fitness area, a wellness area and swimming pools with water slides. Other facilities include a giant natural ice rink, 500m long, on Lake Tignes. There’s also dog sledding, snowmobiling, a sports centre with squash and indoor tennis, bowling, sleigh rides, paragliding, and ice karting.

More unusual options include ice diving beneath Lake Tignes, driving cars on an ice circuit or ski joring – being pulled behind a pony on your skis (minimum age eight to try it!).

Après Ski and Dining Out

Tignes is usually livelier than many French purpose-built resorts. Night life is centred on Val Claret where Le Grizzly’s bar is popular as soon as the lifts close. Late night venues include the Blue Girl and the aptly named Melting Pot.

There are more than 70 places to eat around Tignes and, as you would expect, you can find a range of food from the fast variety through to gourmet. Recommended choices include the family run La Ferme des 3 Capucines in Le Lavachet which is believed to be the highest farm in Europe, with a herd of 30 cows. So the food on the table is very locally sourced and traditional Savoyard food (set menu) is served for lunch and dinner. Le Clin d’oweil in Le Lac takes a different approach, recreating a Parisian bistro. For something truly different take the underground funicular up to 3000m, eat dinner at the restaurant by the glacier, and if you wish, ski down afterwards carrying a flaming torch to light the way!

Families

Tignes does not market itself as a family resort so much as many French resorts do, but that’s perhaps because it has so much more than just family friendly skiing, whereas its competitors are more limited. Indeed the resort notes that of its two million bed nights each winter, the majority is made up of young males aged 25 to 35. However families are well catered for with kids club, children’s ski school, easy runs close to the resort and a great selection of things for families to do off the slopes as well as plenty of good family accommodation and places to eat. However in common with other French resorts children do have to pay about 70% of the adult lift pass price from age five onwards, whereas in many Austrian and Swiss resorts children don’t pay at all until age six, seven or even older, and then a smaller percentage of the adult cost.

Les Marmottons kids’ club accepts children from age three and there are snow gardens for children learning to ski operated by the Ecole du Ski Francais and by Evolution 2 ski schools. For older children there are plenty of special options, for example Freeride Camps for those 13 and older teaches all new snow sports and off piste skiing and safety over five half days.

Piste Map for Tignes

Accommodation in Tignes

• Aiglon - 4 star, catered
• Aiglon - 1 star, catered
• Alaska - 1 star, catered
• Anne-marie - 4 star, catered
• Anne-marie - 4 star, catered
• Aparthotel Alpina - 2 star, catered
• Apartments Ecrin Neige - 4 star, self catering
• Apartments Ecrin Neige - 4 star, self catering
• Apartments Ecrin Neige - 4 star, self catering
• Apartments Ecrin Neige - 4 star, self catering
• Apartments Hotel Alpina - 2 star, half board
• Arktic - 4 star, catered
• Atlas - 4 star, catered
• Cairn - 5 star, catered
• Chalet Chardonnet du Lac - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Du Lac - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Emile - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Glacier - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Glacier - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Glacier - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Isabella - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Larmoise - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Les Andes - 5 star, catered
• Chalet Milou - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Milou - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Milou - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Pre Du Lac - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Pre Du Lac - 3 star, catered
• Chalet Tichot - 3 star, catered
• Chalet. Pre Du Lac - 3 star, catered
• Chamois - 4 star, catered
• Chamois - 1 star, catered
• Club Hotel Curling - 3 star, catered
• Club Hotel Curling - 3 star, catered
• Club Hotel Curling - 3 star, catered
• Clubhotel Curling - 3 star, catered
• Diva - 4 star, half board
• Diva - 4 star, half board
• Diva - 4 star, half board
• Diva - 4 star, half board
• Ecrin De Val Claret - 4 star, bed & breakfast
• Ferme de Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• Ferme Du Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• Grande Motte Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Hameau Du Borsat - 2 star, self catering
• Hotel Ecrin Neige - 4 star, bed & breakfast
• Hotel Le Gentiana - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Le Levanna - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Le Paquis - 2 star, half board
• Hotel Les Campanules - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Village Montana - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Village Montana - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Village Montana Suites - 4 star, half board
• L Ecrin Des Neiges - 4 star, self catering
• L'ecrin Du Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• La Ferme Du Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• La Ferme Du Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• La Ferme Du Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• La Ferme Du Val Claret - 4 star, self catering
• Lavachet Apartments - 2 star, self catering
• Le Borsat - 3 star, self catering
• Le Nevada - 4 star, self catering
• Le Nevada - 4 star, self catering
• Le Ski D'or - 4 star, self catering
• Les Arolles - 1 star, self catering
• Les Arolles - 1 star, self catering
• Les Campanules - 3 star, self catering
• Les Campanules - 3 star, self catering
• Les Suites Du Nevada - 4 star, half board
• Les Tavaillons - 4 star, catered
• Les Tavaillons - 4 star, catered
• L\'Ecrin du Val Claret - 4 star, catered
• Marilyn - 1 star, catered
• Marilyn - 1 star, catered
• Montana - 4 star, half board
• Montana - 4 star, half board
• Montana - 4 star, half board
• Montana Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Montana Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Montana Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Montana Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Montana Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Odalys Apartments - 2 star, self catering
• Res. L'ecrin Des Neiges - 4 star, self catering
• Res. L'ecrin Des Neiges - 4 star, self catering
• Res. Village Montana - 4 star, self catering
• Residence Le Nevada - 3 star, self catering
• Residence Le Nevada - 3 star, self catering
• Residence Village Montana - 4 star, self catering
• Residences Nevada - 4 star, self catering
• Terrachu - 3 star, self catering
• Terrachu - 3 star, catered
• Terrachu - 3 star, catered
• Tignes 2100 - 3 star, half board
• Ushaia - 1 star, half board
• Val Claret Bors - 2 star, self catering
• Val Claret Bors - 2 star, self catering
• Val Claret Bors - 2 star, self catering
• Vvf Hameau Du Borsat Iv - 2 star, self catering
• Vvf Hameau Du Borsat Iv - 2 star, self catering
• Vvf Hameau Du Borsat Iv - 2 star, self catering
• Vvf Le Borsat - 3 star, self catering
• Vvf Le Borsat - 3 star, self catering
• VVF Le Borsat - 3 star, self catering

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