Tignes
Tignes is a purpose built resort consisting of 3 villages Le Lac, Le Lavachet and Val Claret, which are all linked by free 24 hour buses. It has a very good snow record making it a safe option for winter skiing as the Tignes Val Claret is 2100m high. Along with Val D’Isere it makes up the ski area of Espace Killy (named after the skier Jean-Claude Killy) providing around 300km of runs.
On the piste
Tignes has large amount of blue runs (60 blue and 20 green) which makes it appealing to beginners and families. However, it is also suitable for intermediates and advanced (16 Blacks and 35 reds) and also the opportunity to ski over to Val D’Isere which is just over the side of the mountain. These two areas add up to 300km of runs. Val D’Isere is one of the highest points in Europe and it is possible to ski back from here to Val Claret in Tignes. Take the high speed 6 seater chair lift from Val Claret to Col de Fresse, which offers good variety for the more active skier and also access to the glacier at Le Fornet. You will need a lift pass for both areas which is around 40 Euros more for a 6 day pass, which is called an Area Pass.
Nightlife
Tignes has a lively nightlife scene with around 50 bars. Scotty’s bar in Le Lavachet is popular but very busy. TC’s bar is an English bar open from 3pm until 1am. For cocktails try the more chilled out Alpaka Lodge. In Tignes Val Claret, Crowded House is one of the more popular bars in Tignes, with DJs from 10pm. The Couloir bar has live bands and a large variety of vodka shots! For sporting events on TV head to The Chameleon. The three main nightclubs in Tignes are Jacks (Le Lac), Le Blue Girl (Val Claret) and The Melting Pot, which don’t start getting busy until midnight.
Key Facts about Tignes
- 94 lifts
- 216 snow cannons
- 300km of piste
- Longest run – 10km (La Sache)
- Highest ski lift – 3,550m
- Lift Pass
Getting to Tignes from the UK
The main airports for Tignes are Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chamberry, with Chamberry being the closest. Easyjet fly to Geneva and Grenoble. Ryanair just to Grenoble. Snowjet fly to Chamberry which is 2 hours 30 minutes from Tignes. Another option is the Skibus, which is a coach that leaves from London Victoria to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This costs around £100 for a return, which is great value but it will take a long time (14 hours), dependent on traffic and from Bourg-Saint-Maurice you will need take a bus or taxi up the mountain. However, they offer special deals and at certain times the trip can cost £50 return. Booking a package holiday can take out all the hassle as transfers and flights are included.