Ski Accommodation in Tignes, France

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Description

Tignes is one of Europe’s most popular resorts. The resort links with Val d’Isere to form the Espace Killy comprising of two glaciars and over 300km of pistes! The two resorts are naturally connected and offer snow sure varied pistes with 22 green, 61 blue, 46 red and 25 black runs.

Tignes is made up of five villages - Les Brevieres, Les Boisses, Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret. All villages are linked by a single road and offer direct access to the slopes. Les Brevieres and Les Boisses are the lowest villages sitting at 1550m and 1800m respectively. Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret all sit at 2100m and make up the main area of resort. All villages are home to a host of shops, restaurants and bars as well as plenty of accommodation from self-catering apartments to chalets and hotels.

Getting There

Due to its high altitude, Tignes has one of the longest transfer times however it is local to four airports so there are plenty of options to get there:

142km from Chambery (2hrs)
221km from Geneva (2hrs50)
223km from Grenoble (2hr45)
219km from Lyon (2hr45)

Throughout winter, there is a large number of flights from all airports. Geneva and Lyon are both international airports so are the busiest and have the most number of flights, whereas Grenoble and Chambery are closed over the summer months and tend to be busier on weekends.

There are several transfer companies that are able to provide private and shared transfers:

Alti-Bus provides shared transfers from Geneva, Chambery and Lyon.

Alpine Sherpa provide shared and private transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Grenoble.

Ben’s Bus offer direct shared transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble airport. They mostly run only at the weekends and Fridays so are not available to use midweek.

Cool Bus run private transfers from any resort within the Tarentaise Valley and go to Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. They also offer private transfers up to Tignes from the Eurostar station in Bourg St, Maurice. They also run throughout the week so it is better to contact them directly for the most competitive price as they do not use a flat rate.

Mountain Rescue provide private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. For those travelling on a weekday they often run a discounted service.

Simply Transfers offer private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. They also offer transfers from different resorts and Bourg St. Maurice to Tignes. Shared transfers are available from Geneva only. They are able to accommodate large groups with vehicles up to 60 people.

Whiterides provide private transfers from any airport and train station throughout the week to any resort in the Tarentaise Valley. Resort-to-resort transfers are also available.

Snowdrone provide luxury shared and private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Lyon and Grenoble. Their private transfers are very flexible and can operate from anywhere within the Tarentaise Valley to Tignes.

If you are looking for a bit more luxury and an even shorter transfer time then Whitetracks Helicopters offer transfers for up to 4 people from any of the above airports and provide a separate vehicle for luggage. Helicopters are susceptible to the weather though, if there is any cancellation vehicles are provided at no extra cost.

There is also the option of getting the train out to Tignes. The Eurostar runs from London St Pancras and Kent Ashford directly to Bourg St Maurice, which is approximately 45 minutes drive from Tignes.

Many people will choose to drive out to resort. If you are coming from the UK, you can either take the Channel Tunnel which runs directly from Folkestone every 15 minutes or take the ferry from Dover to Calais. It is important to note that there are several tolls along the route through France which will cost approximately €75.

When to Go

Where to Stay

Tignes is comprised of 5 villages, which are all connected by a single road and offer direct access to the slopes so you will never be too far from the piste no matter where you are staying:

Les Brevieres is Tignes lowest village sitting at 1500m. It is the oldest village and the only one that isn’t purpose built. The chalets here tend to be more traditional and the village offers excellent ski access by the Sache bubble lift.

Les Boisses sits at 1800m and is Tignes quietest village. The village is located just across from the damn and was renovated a few years back increasing its popularity due to its reasonably priced accommodation. The village offers good ski access via the Boisses gondola which goes up to the Aiguille Percee, from here it is a short ski down into Le Lac.

Le Lavachet is a small hamlet located just outside Le Lac. The village is a short walk from the Chaudannes and Paquis chairlift for ski access.

Le Lac is the largest and most popular village in Tignes. It sits at 2100m and hosts an abundance of bars and restaurants as well as plenty of accomodation. Ski access is fantastic here with the Toviere gondola heading straight over to Val d’Isere and the Palafour chairlift up to the Aiguille Percee.

Val Claret also sits at 2100m and has and array of restaurants and bars similarly to Le Lac. This area is renowned for its nightlife and most of the accommodation here are apartments and hotels rather than chalets.

Getting around

Tignes is a large resort and is spread across several villages, however the resort is well connected so it is easy to navigate and travel around.

There is a free bus service running between Val Claret, Le Lac and Le Lavachet every 25 minutes between 0655 - 2340. There is also a bus connecting Les Boisse and Le Lac which runs every hour from 0800 to 1800.

Tignes has an efficient lift system which is regularly updated. The are major lifts that service each of the villages to quickly whisk guests up the mountain.

One of the most efficient ways to get around the resort is via taxi however not all companies run every night so it is recommended to book in advance.

It is easy to walk between Lavachet, Lac and Val Claret but the route down to Les Boisses and Les Brevieres is a busy mountain road with no footpath.

Apres

Tignes is one of the most popular resorts in terms of apres ski and nightlife:

Loop Bar, the pinnacle of the après scene in Tignes. A popular venue for both seasonnaires and holiday makers alike. The large sun terrace attracts a large crowd in the later season. Most days there are live bands and DJs offering a great atmosphere.

Alpaka is an English run bar in the centre of Le Lac. Dotted around are comfy chairs and sofas with a roaring fire at the centre. It is a very friendly, cosy bar where everyone is welcome.

Queue de Cochon is a hidden gem tucked away in the centre of Lavachet. They have an extensive gin bar and a reputation for having the best cocktail menu in town. They also have a very good restaurant, allowing them to do special deals at après time such as a 4€ pulled pork burger. The bar has lots of sofas and an extensive outside seating area.

Grizzly Bar is one of Val Claret’s most attractive spots. Located on the very edge of the piste the seats are adorned with luxurious furs and a fire pit occupies the centre keeping everyone toasty. There is even a hand carved wooden bear statue to great guests. It’s not the cheapest venue but the atmosphere is friendly and cosy in the sun.

Le Melting Pot, one of Val Claret’s nightclubs plays a trendy mix of hip hop and drum and bass. It regularly houses guest DJs.

Jack’s Club is Le Lac’s resident night club and bowling alley. Jack’s nightclub specialises in 80s music and is the go to place in Le Lac after all the bars have shut.

Eating out

In each of its different villages, the resort of Tignes offers a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Below are a few of the highlights.

Le Caveau sits in Val Claret and is perhaps one of the resort’s loveliest restaurants. It is slightly on the expensive side when compared to many of the other restaurants in the area, but the extra money you’ll spend here is worth it. A cosy underground restaurant, Le Caveau offers a wonderful range of high quality cuisine. Live music is popular in the evenings.

La Pignatta, also located in Val Claret is a family-run, family-friendly restaurant. The venue offers tasty pizzas and pasta dishes as well as Savoyarde specialties. - http://www.lapignatta.fr/

In Tignes le Lac, Bagus Cafe is a modern and sleek venue offering a range of cuisine. Fresh pizzas and pasta dishes sit alongside Savoyarde specialities but this restaurant is also well known for its North African and Asian cuisine. Tagines and seafood are popular choices here.

Clin d’Oeil is one of the best restaurants in Tignes, and is well-located in the le Lac area. Traditional, charming and intimate, le Clin d’Oeil boasts a superb menu of Savoyarde specialities and relies heavily on local producers and suppliers.

In Tignes le Lavachet, restaurant le Bouchon Montagnard is perfect for those hoping to escape the crowds in favour of a real French dining experience. The welcome is warm, the menu extensive and of course, the Savoyarde specialities come highly recommended. - http://montagn-art.pagesperso-orange.fr/

Activities

Non-skiing activities in Tignes include:
The Lagon centre with swimming pool, fun pool, paddling pool, gym and spa area
Cinema
Husky sledding
Ice diving
Ice driving
Ice skating
Tignespace with squash, tennis, badminton, climbing and football.

Ski School

There are many ski schools in Tignes that offer both group and private lessons. Private lessons are more intense but will be more expensive. We would recommend booking ski school in advance as they do get booked up early especially if you are travelling on a peak week.

Ultimate Snowsports have been running in Tignes for over eleven years and have found their success only employing British instructors.

New Generation is one of Tignes smallest ski schools. They offer a wide range of classes, one of their most popular is their skills session which give clients a taste of bumps, steeps, off-piste, carving and park tuition.

Evolution 2 are both a ski school and an ‘Adventure’ school. They offer teaching for all abilities as well as several winter activities such as paragliding, husky sledding and ice climbing. They also offer instruction to children as young as 5 with their Yeti and Junior Academy groups.

The Development Company have highly qualified instructors offer small group lessons to which they refer to as clinics with a maximum of 6 in them. They also offer private lessons. They are a great school if you are looking for something for teenagers who have completed ski school and want new challenges.

Other schools including ESF and BASS are in operation across Tignes.

Getting around

Family ski

Tignes is a family friendly resort due to its easy beginner slopes, gentle lifts and abundance of snow throughout the winter. It’s high altitude make it a popular destination for the families restricted to school holidays and needing to travel the early and late season weeks of the season.

For families looking for childcare, there are several options available for them.

Ski Esprit offer a range of childcare from 17 months and lessons from 3 years.

Mark Warner offer childcare from 4 month and ski lessons from 12 years.

There are also several private nanny companies in resort which offer families flexible levels of high quality care:

Jelly and Ice Cream provide childcare in the form of private nannies and babysitting service during the day and the evenings.

ABSki offer private professional nannies throughout the day and they do offer babysitting services in the evening.

Bluebird Childcare pride themselves on being the most qualified nannies in the Espace Killy area. They offer childcare in the form of private nannies and babysitting services in the day and the evenings.

T4 Nannies call themselves the ‘loveliest in the Alps.’ Their handpicked staff offer a high quality service across the Alps.

Group Ski

Childcare

Purpose-built ski resorts like Tignes are not always very well-suited to off-the-slopes activities but Tignes, to be fair, has a pretty impressive range of pursuits to enjoy if the weather closes in, or if you fancy giving the kids a break from the slopes.

Swimming
Le Lagon is Tignes’ swimming centre, boasting an enormous leisure centre, a 25m swimming pool with slides and paddle pools, plus spa facilities and a gym. Skiers with a 6 day Espace Killy lift pass get free access to the centre, and for families looking to keep the kids entertained it’s a superb facility.
http://www.horaires-piscines.fr/rhone-alpes/savoie/4325-piscine-le-lagon-tignes.html

Cinema
Tignes also has a couple of cinemas and with film screenings in their original English language you don’t have to worry about the language barrier. French films of course are also regularly screened, and many of them are subtitled. You can find more information here: http://www.tignes.net/en/nightlife-in-tignes/cinema-537.html

Sledging
Sledging is a great way to burn off excess energy and keep the kids entertained and Tignes offers plenty of areas where kids can take to the toboggan in safety. Many of them are near cafes where you can enjoy a drink and keep an eye on your young ones at the same time!

Bowling
The bowling alley located in Tignes Le Lac is a great place to bring the children, perhaps for an evening out on the chalet hosts’ day off. It’s popular with children and adults alike, and besides bowling you can find pool tables, games rooms and multimedia centre.
Aside from the above, families can also choose from activities such as indoor climbing, trampolining and racket sports like badminton and tennis.

The Piste

Tignes ski area is split into four areas - Les Brevieres, Toviere, L’Aiguille Percee and the Grande Motte.

For beginners, there are dedicated nursery slopes in Les Brevieres, Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret with free lifts. From here, beginners can progress to the designated areas at the top of the Grand Tichot lift in Val Claret and the Palafour and Chardonnet have some nice blues heading back into Le Lac.

Tignes has some wide blues and challenging reds for intermediates. The Grande Motte area in particular has some long red runs including Dahu and Glaciers. The reds down into Les Brevieres are also worth the challenge and over in Val d’Isere there is a large quantity of runs all reached by the Toviere bubble.

Expert skiers will not be short of runs in the Espace Killy with many black runs including the famous 10km Sache route. There are several runs in resort known as ‘naturides; these are very rarely groomed but are still patrolled and cleared of avalanche risks offering challenging terrain.

The Espace Killy offers some excellent off piste terrain, the most popular is located in the Les Brevieres tree runs.

Ski School

Ultimate Snowsports have been running in Tignes for over eleven years and have found their success only employing British instructors.

Other schools including ESF and BASS are in operation across Tignes.

Equipment Hire

Lift Passes

The Tignes and Val d’Isere lift pass covers the whole area offering access to two glaciers and over 300km of pistes.

The below lift passes are based on the most current rates in resort but may change at the time of booking. All prices are in euros:

           Adult( 14-64)   Child(5-13)   Senior (65-74)
½ day    44.00              35.50          35.50
1 Day       59.00            47.50          47.50
2 Days    102.00           82.00          82.00
6 Days    294.00             234.00        234.00

Free passes are available for under 5s and over 75s, proof of age is required.

There are several free beginner slopes throughout the resort- These are the Rosset chairlift, Lac magic carpet, Claret drag lift, Bollin chairlift, Lavachet drag lift, Boisses Magic carpet and the Pitots drag lift. Complete beginners may want to make the most of these free lifts and not buy a pass for their first day.

Family passes are available for groups comprising of a least 1 adult (maximum 2). The family pass is only available when at least 4 passes are purchased for the same duration (6 or 7 days only) in the same transaction. All members will pay the child price on the deal.

Group discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.

You can buy your lift pass from the lift pass office in resort or pre book it online from Tignes official site. Alternatively, you can book your pass online through your tour operator who will deliver it to your chalet upon your arrival.