Tignes
A snow sure ski resort in one of the most beautiful ski areas in the world
One of the highest ski resorts in the Alps, with guaranteed skiing virtually year round, Tignes can justifiably boast a fantastic snow record that is the envy of many resorts worldwide. It is aslo part of the vast L'Espace Killy, which claims to be one of the most beautiful ski areas in the world, and is also known of its excellent off-piste, we at Ski The World are not disagreeing. The skiing on offer here is simply massive and combined with Val d'Isere it is absolutely world class.
Tignes is anything but beautiful when compared to its next door neighbour, the more renowned resort of Val d'Isere in the Savoie region of the southern French Alps, and it does, at first sight, appear to have a poorer and less attractive ambience with a mixture of long high-rise apartment blocks, some hotels and a few traditional chalets, which were purpose built in the 1960/70s. But, when you look again you begin to appreciate its combination of modern, quick and reliable lifts, its seemingly ceaseless snow, and its impressive array of conventional runs and spine-tingling off-piste, and you will realise that Tignes has far more to offer than the average ski resort.
Tignes consisits of three villages called Le Lac, which is the hub of the resort, le Lavachet and Val Claret, which offers direct access to the Grande Motte funicular and are all linked by a free bus shuttle service which operates late into the night. Beginners are well catered for by a free drag lift on the Brevieres nursery slopes. They are sectioned off so as to remain 'traffic' free and safe. Once up at Lavechet and Tignes le Lac there are further nursery slopes to get up to speed on, so that they can explore pastures new, however, the local runs in Tignes can be a bit testing for timid beginners so you may need to head over to the gentle greens in Val d'Isere to build your confidence up. Intermediates will be like children in a chocolate shop with all the treats on offer in the Espace Killy ski area and will clock up many kilometres on the numerous cruisy blues and reds around Tignes and the Grand Motte glacier and don't miss out on the long run down to Tignes Les Brevières.
The more seasoned powder hounds need look no further than the awesome Espcae Killy with some seriously extensive off-piste on offer and more adrenaline packed challenges than you can poke a stick at. you will also find bucket loads of steeps on-piste to get stuck into, and the only problem you will have is where to head to first. Something not to be missed is the unpisted runs around the Col des ves chair and the Tour de Pramecou route around the Grand Motte glacier and to make the most of your time exploring you should hire a guide.
There is also a smorgasbord of opportunities for snowboarders around the whole Espace Killy ski area, so take your pickings from plentiful free riding, and awesome natural obstacles, as well as some of the best off-piste you will find anywhere in the world. For tricksters Tignes is home to the largest Snow Park in Europe. It boasts a half pipe, an impressive range of kickers and rails, jumps for all abilities and a change in level of over 600 metres.
Resort Information |
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| Altitude of resort: | 2100 metres | |
| Top elevation: | 3460 metres | |
| Largest vertical drop: | 1900 metres | |
| Total length of slopes: | 300 kilometres | |
| Longest run: | 10 kilometres | |
| Cross country trails: | 52 kilometers | |
| Beginner: | 10% | |
| Intermediate: | 65% | |
| Advanced: | 26% | |
| Number of lifts: | 97 | |
| Snowboard: | Snowpark |
