Tignes
Tignes is a high altitude ski resort in the French Alps close to the Italian border and is part of the Espace Killy ski area linked by a network of lifts. It is in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France and the total area is 81.63 km2 (31.52 sq mi) it is made up of five villages, Val Claret, Tignes le Lac, Le Lavachet, Tignes Les Boisses and Tignes-les-Brévières. Close by is the popular resort of Val d’Isère and you can marvel at the spectacular views of the Grand Motte Mountain it has an elevation of 3,653 metres above sea level. The resorts of Tignes and Val d’Isère ski area, offer over 300km of pistes for all levels of skiers and is served by 78 lifts. The ski resorts are however very different; Tignes with its five villages has varying altitudes and was purpose built, whilst Val d’Isère is traditional and charming with its 17th-century church amongst its attractions.
It’s often said that Tignes offer some of the best lift accessed slopes in Europe as it is set on a picturesque mountain plateau. At 2,100m Val Claret is the easiest village to access the glacier and both Val Claret and Tignes le Lac are the ideal villages to stay in if you want to be in the hub of restaurants, shops and bars. Le Lavachet a quieter village and at a slightly less altitude is linked to the lifts by a ski bus. At 1,800m further down the mountain, we find the village of Tignes Les Boisses otherwise known as Tignes 1,800 and at 1,550m is Tignes Les Brévières. These areas are well linked to the ski area with their own lifts, shops and restaurants but are a little secluded from the main hub higher up the mountain.
The nearest airport to Tignes is Chambéry which is one hour and 40 minutes and Geneva is two hours and 45 minutes. The nearest station is Bourg St Maurice which is 40 minutes.
Tignes is one of the most dependable winter destinations in France, its season is almost year round and due to its desirable snow coverage and notable terrain, it’s on every avid skier’s radar. At Tignes, you can ski before and after everyone else with over 150 kilometres of runs Tignes has something for everyone, but intermediate and advanced skiers are especially served. Freestyler’s and riders will be in their element as Tignes was one of France’s first resorts to promote the alternative ski culture. The Grande Motte glacier is open for six weeks during the summer and skiing and snowboarding is from late June until early August, and the winter season opens in October. During the summer season, the area offers hiking trails, golf and a bike park, plus ski runs on the Grande Motte glacier.
Other facilities and activities at Tignes include a new lagoon centre with a swimming pool and gives amazing views of the mountains. A sports complex with a fitness centre and weight training, spinning and cardio training are just some of the facilities available. If it is a bad day weather wise, there is a fabulous multimedia centre providing the internet and video games or go to the bowling alley or relax at the cinema. If you are looking for adventure then you are in for a treat, try your hand at back country skiing and snowboarding adventures with or without a helicopter, a range of heli-skiing, heliboarding, reverse heli-skiing or simply enjoy the views from helicopter scenic tours which will give you the best views imaginable.
There is a good range of shops everything you would expect to see in a ski resort, ski rental hire, clothing, and sports shops to supermarkets and delicatessens to jewellery and gift shops. Eating out? There is everything you could possibly think of to satisfy your appetite with great lunch time menus including sandwiches, pizzas, fries, burgers, kebabs and salads. Do you fancy traditional Savoyard fare, creperie, gourmet ‘a la carte’ or Brasserie? There are international favourites including grills and German specialities, Asian, seafood buffets and Tapas.
Relax and unwind at one of the many bars including cosy, comfy and friendly bar lounges to sports bars and live music bars to trendy wine and cocktail bars. If you don’t want the evening to stop there, you can throw some shapes at one of the many discos and nightclubs until the early hours. Tignes is all you could wish for and more!
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