About Tignes
The glacier resort of Tignes in the magnificent Savoie Alps is widely recognised as one of Europe’s, if not one of the world’s most comprehensive ski destinations. With only a half-hour ski or 15-minute drive to the established resort of Val d'Isere, a holiday in Tignes really gives you two resorts in one.
It is widely known that Tignes boasts more diverse slopes than its chic neighbour and lies 200m higher, at an altitude of 2,100m. The majority of experienced skiers who stay in Val d’Isere often find them-selves drawn towards the varied terrain and outstanding off piste on offer in Tignes. And as together the two resorts make up the expansive Espace Killy ski area, ski passes cover both resorts. The Espace Killy is France’s largest ski area, and is certainly one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Alps. Whilst increasingly popular with all nationalities Tignes has at the same time been able to maintain its original French Alpine ambience.
The main resort, built at 2100m is set beneath the beautiful twin peaks of La Grande Motte (3656m) and La Grande Casse (3852m). The easily accessible Grande Motte glacier provides skiing for 10 months of the year; as a result it has become one of the most respected summer destinations for national ski team training. During the winter the ski area is transformed and Tignes’ slopes cover over 300kms (190 miles) of marked pistes. And with 20 green to 14 black runs and easily-reached off-piste, the skiing is suitable for all standards and ages. There are also two great snow parks in the area: one in Tignes and one in Val d'Isere.
The Grande Motte can be reached by the state-of-the-art funicular or by a long two-stage quad-chair - both routes start in Val Claret. The train only takes five minutes to reach the ‘Panoramic’ mountain restaurant; from there you catch a cable-car raising you to 3456m, the top of the glacier.
Huge investment in recent years has transformed Tignes into a more aesthetically pleasing environment in keeping with the naturally spectacular landscape. Work is ongoing each summer, as the local government’s drive for improving accommodation, infrastructure and facilities continues. There are now top quality apartments to rent in all of the Tignes villages.
Overview of Tignes' villages
Tignes is split into three main areas: Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret. There are two other villages slightly further down the mountain that are connected to the resort: Les Brevieres and Les Boisses.
All the villages in Tignes can easily be reached on skis or on the free bus, with each having cafes, shops, bistros and restaurants for entertainment. Whether you’d prefer the village of Val Claret at the foot of the funicular or the cosier settlements of Le Lac or Le Lavachet further down the slopes, we have varying-sized chalets throughout the region.
Tignes has undergone a major face lift in the last 5 years and all future developments will have to meet standards set by the local council to ensure the region achieves a more authentic alpine look away from the high-rised buildings of the 1970s.
Le Lac has undergone a complete makeover in recent years and a tunnel acts as a bypass for through-traffic to the other main lift station still higher up at Val Claret. This is the most convenient base for the skiing with immediate access to the underground funicular and the link lift to Val d'Isère. However, if staying in Le Lac or Le Lavachet, you have easy access to the Aeroski lift system, which opens up access to the whole mountain.
The much lower villages of Tignes-les-Boisses and the valley farming community of Tignes-les-Brévières provide a much more rural environment. They are well-linked into the lift system and cannon-assisted snow-cover usually remains sufficient in late April to allow you to still be able to ski to your door. It is a long way up through the lift system to reach La Grande Motte and Val d'Isère, but easily manageable.
Tignes Val Claret
Val Claret (2300m) is the highest village in Tignes. With this elevated status comes more shops, restaurants and bars than you could ever need. Nightlife here is considered by many as the best in Tignes with two of the most popular nightclubs just down the road from each other: The Blue Girl and the Melting Pot.
Val Claret is set on two levels, so you could find yourself getting a lift to the bus or to the main ski lift area. The village has fantastic ski access, with direct links to the Espace Killy, the Grande Motte glacier and all the Tignes ski area. The lifts within 5 minutes of each other are: Tuffs, Les Lanches, Bollin, Fresse, Tichot (rebuilt last year) and the Funiculaire. Its proximity to the glacier means it's the only village with direct access to summer and winter skiing. That said, the rest of the resort is extremely well linked by the bus and it only takes 20 minutes to go all around the bus route. Check out the nightlife sections for our guide to all the best bars and restaurants.
Tignes Le Lac
Tignes Le Lac (2100m) is the original and main village in Tignes and still acts as the main hub for the ski resort. Situated by the lake, it provides easy access to the whole Espace Killy ski area, from the two lifts at the Palafour and from the main lift to Val d'Isere (the aero-ski) located opposite the Maison D'Tignes. The huge wooden tourist office also acts as the centerpiece for the resort, where numerous events are held throughout the year.
Le Lac's many amenities are spread over two main areas: Rue de la Poste and Le Lac Rosset. Just a few of which are: two separate ski schools, Spar supermarket, banks, a bowling alley, gym and saunas, privately owned local shops and plenty of restaurants, take-aways, two night clubs and bars. Our personal favourites are the Jam Bar located at the bottom of the Palafour run by Jamie and Morgan and the Loop at the end of Le Lac Rosset.
Tignes Le Lavachet
Tignes Le Lavachet (2000m) is the lowest of the three main villages, within walking distance (7mins). It could be seen as a subsection of Le Lac and is connected with the rest of the resort by three bus stops. During the day the buses run every 15 minutes in the day and once an hour throughout the night, which is handy as nightlife in le Lavachet is relatively quiet, with Scotty's being the busiest bar.
Le Lavachet does however have its own sense of community, with many seasonaires choosing to live here. One of our favourite bars in Tignes is TC's Bar, next to Le Lavachet Lounge. Run all year round by TC, Duncan and Dave, it has a friendly and lively atmosphere. Brasero has opened this year and is well worth a look both as a bar and restaurant. For a typical French meal and ambience go to the Le Bouchon restaurant; Alan will without doubt make you feel welcome! Lavachet is completely self sufficient with numerous shops and restaurants. There is a lift pass office, Sherpa supermarket and a number of ski rental shops to choose from as well as a few locally run bakers and pizza places.
To get on the slopes you can either catch a bus to the Le Lac stations, continue up to Val Claret, or as we do when staying in the area use the chair lifts. Two chairlifts operate out of Le Lavachet; Paquis which takes you to the Espace Killy side and Le Chardonnet which provides access to Les Brévières. The nursery slope has a button lift which takes you to the top of the Le Lac slope.
Les Boisses
Les Boisses (Tignes 1850m) Les Boisses is probably the quietest part of Tignes with just a couple of bars and restaurants, most of them located in hotels. If you're after a quieter (and cheaper) skiing holiday, this village is a good choice whilst also being close to the ski lifts. A free bus up to Le Lac runs every half hour until early evening with two buses later on.
Les Brevieres
Most skiers are familiar with the better known areas of le Lac and Val Caret, due to their functionality, developed infrastructure and easy accessibility to the slopes. However many feel there's a hidden treasure in Tignes that less people know about, the small picturesque village of Tignes Les Brévières.
Still set high up the mountain, Les Brévières (at 1550m) is the oldest and prettiest of the five villages in Tignes, it's a traditional authentic Savoyarde village dating back to the 13th century, whilst walking around the village you will come across traditional stone farmhouses and narrow streets. Les Brévières is itself fully functional and accommodating for all your skiing needs, offering a full range of skiing facilities, shops and bars, but unlike most ski resorts, is unspoilt by large-scale modern development and still retains its original village character and charm.
Situated at 1550m in the Tarentaise valley and fully integrated into the Tignes/Val d'Isere ski area (l'Espace Killy) through the lift system and linked by the free bus service as well, Brévières offers a unique combination of authentic rural charm, postcard-like views, yet maintaining quick access to world-class skiing. There's a bubble lift taking you up to the Espace Killy. And while the runs down to the village are shaded by trees it's perfect for white-out days. The village is often popular with families looking for an easy going break away from the hustle and bustle of the busier resorts, and for those on a budget there is a hostel-style accommodation available.
