Tignes

Tignes, France

Rated: 5/5 (from 7 ratings)

Ski Area Highlights

Recommended For	Freeriders, Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski!
Total Piste Length	93 miles
Highest Lift	11,319ft
Resort Height	6,890ft
Nearest Airports	Chambery and Annecy
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Tignes

Tignes shares the huge Espace Killy with Val D'Isere, with a vast ski domain directly accessible from five different base areas, from Les Brévières, at the lowest point in the system up to Val Claret at the head of the valley.

Summary

The ski area of Tignes is in the French Alps at an altitude of 6,890ft, with 93 miles of marked runs.

Tignes is part of the Espace Killy ski area with access to 186 miles of downhill skiing, with 154 marked pistes, served by a total of 87 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Tignes itself (93 miles of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Espace Killy ski resort of Val d'Isère. Tignes is directly linked by Ski Lift to the ski areas of Val d'Isère.

Tignes comprises the villages of Tignes Le Lac, Tignes Les Boisses, Tignes Les Brévières and Tignes Val Claret.

Ski Area Stats

Skiing

The maximum skiable vertical of 1900m (6234 feet) is one of the largest in the world and the lowest lift height of 1550m (4085 feet) ensures top-to-bottom skiing for most of the winter season. The hundreds of snow cannons are a help too.

Tignes for Beginners

Beginners might not be able to appreciate the skiing heaven that is all about them, but they at least have five free lifts to choose from down at the resort. There's therefore no need for a lift ticket for the first few days, and with the resort altitude you don't need to go up the mountain to find the snow. When you do gain confidence, however, a trip on the high-speed underground funicular will take you up to the Grande Motte glacier where there are plenty of wide gentle trails, as well as spectacular views when you're taking a breather.

Tignes for Intermediates

Intermediates have around 100 Blue and Red runs between Tignes and Val d'Isère, aided by a largely modern lift infrastructure to get you back up quickly and efficiently.

Several fast, high-capacity chairs link from Val Claret provide a fast link over to Val d'Isère, and the Toviere gondola allows rapid access from Tignes le Lac.

Tignes for Experts

It's the advanced skiers who will most appreciate what Espace Killy has to offer however, not least because it's often the experts who run out of options at smaller resorts. Black runs are numerous, and the Reds tend to be long enough or steep enough to keep the best skiers entertained, such as the 'Double M'.

Off-piste opportunities are possibly unmatched anywhere; legendary runs include 'The Lavachet Wall' (always, always, check Avalanche Risk before heading this way - or into any other off-piste terrain) and the Tovière mogul runs. The Aiguille Percée descents, the nearby Chardonnay Bowl and 'Golf' are fabulous but challenging off-piste terrains.

Apart from normal piste and local off-piste skiing in the company of ski school or mountain guides, Tignes has many special itineraries available including ski-safaris to other resorts in the Haute Tarentaise area of the French Alps.

Numerous ski schools, including the ESF and the highly-regarded Snoworks, offer courses for all levels, styles and genres of snow sports.

Telemark tuition is offered and there are extensive cross-country trails.

There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.

Snowboarding

The Palafour and Grattalu areas have extensive fun parks, with features to suit all abilities (and confidence levels).

Location and Map

Where is Tignes?

This ski resort is in the French Alps in Albertville, Département de la Savoie.

Map

Tap for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.

Aprés Ski

Tignes le Lac is home to the impressive Tignespace sports centre and the Lagon swimming pool.