Skiing in Tignes

Tignes is a skiers paradise and for those who go primarily to ski, it may well be the best ski resort in the world. It has everything that ski enthusiasts could want. It shares a ski area of over 300m of pistes, which represent only only 5% of the ski-able area, with Val d'Isere. There are prepared pistes suitable for every level of skiing ability that are extensive and varied enough to keep even the most ardent high mileage piste basher busy for at least two weeks. The huge amount of off piste has runs to suit all skiing abilities from intermediate and better, though in the main these should not be attempted without a local guide.

High and snow sure, perhaps the most reliable snow in the Alps, the ski season is long and in fact there is even skiing on the Grand Motte Glacier in Summer.

Tignes consists of 5 smaller villages the highest of which, Val Claret, is situated right on the pistes at over 2 200 meters.

Tignes is a purpose built resort and while this did, when it was first developed, result in what some consider unpleasant architecture, it has also provided some extremely convenient slope side accommodation and skiing from and back to our balcony is something we have come to enjoy.

The slopes are wide and long, providing ample opportunities for every level of skier. The slopes are so long and so wide and varied that there is very little sensation of over crowded pistes and there are few queues.

There are good mountain and slope side restaurants but the convenience of the resort is such that it is easy to return to the village at lunch time.

Apres ski is different to what one experiences in Austria but there is plenty going on and Val Claret has some early evening atmosphere especially during the popular happy hour periods whereas the village of Le Lac has many popular spots both at the end of day's skiing and later in the evening.

Back