Ski Tignes - Skiing in Tignes
Which slopes?
Espace Killy, named after the French downhill Olympic champion Jean Claude Killy, is a formidable ski area. The terrain is fantastically varied and absolutely breath taking. Popular with skiers and boarders alike Tignes regularly features in the worlds top ten resort lists so there's no surprise that it is often chosen to host big competitions throughout the season including the yearly Tignes Airwaves event where Europe's best riders come to take advantage of the worlds biggest snow park.
Basically Tignes is split into four ski areas: The Grande Motte, The Palet, Tovière and Brévières sections. They each have their own charms, plenty of wide cruising runs are Tignes characteristic yet exploring further, especially onto the awe-inspiring off piste you will see that this corner of the Alps is more special than you average ski resort.
Chilled out
Whether you've just turned up and want an easy first day or you just have a more sedate relaxed style these cruisey blues will definitely tick the box. Hop on the 3-seater PALAFOUR chairlift from Le-Lac to sample the motorway blues Gentiane, Anemone and Combe.
Get yourself over to Val Claret for some refreshment then jump on the BOLLIN chairlift which puts you at the top of wide blue perfect for some gentle turns while your lunch settles. Bellevardes west facing slopes are very chilled with breath taking views towards Mont blanc and le Grande Motte glacier. From the top of the mont blanc chair there’s Genepy, Borsat and Grand Pre which you will enjoy. Also try Creux and Edelwiess which are reached by the Tommeuses chair.
La Grande Motte Glacier has a good selection of blues although beware, it is north facing and can be quite icy. Les Brevieres is quite the opposite and becomes a veritable sun trap - perfect for a mid afternoon vin chaud.
Crowd Free
The sheer extent of Espace killy is normally enough to thin the flocks of folk who come to get their kicks on this mountain. One way of queue jumping at peak times to avoid the Solaise chair or the L'Olympique bubble is by catching the free bus over to Le Fornet instead and skiing the Glacier de Pissaillas. This is one of the most peaceful spots in the area which equals a lot less skied out.
If off-piste is your bag then this is some of the best around. L'Aiguille Percée and Le Palet in Tignes are usually pretty quiet and also gives you plenty of oppurtunity for fresh tracks without venturing too far from the piste.
Challenging
At first glance you may think that the selection of blacks are scarce for an area so raved about by the expert skiers and boarders. And yes, you would be right. However, this isn't why they come.
Tignes' off-piste is unbeatable, the fact it's so high does mean tree runs are almost non-existent but on the plus side, visually, Tignes magic powder carpet is laid out for you to get stuck in and plot you routes as you sit with mounting excitement upon the chair.
Black runs that you should try are Campanules, Epaule de Charvet, Fornet, Piste ’G’, Piste ‘S’, Raye and of course, the infamous Face. I you manage to catch the first lift then for a really hardcore challenge try do all the blacks in Espace killy in one day, although the true challenge will be trying to stay awake over your celebratory pint in the bar later!
Mountain Restaurants
Tignes restaurants are no better or no worse than your average resorts in France although we could possibly do with one or two more. Eating out on the mountain can get expensive but if you stick to self service eateries it's not too bad. Here's a couple worth a look;
Les Marmottes, good value for money at the bottom of the Marmotte express.
Bar restaurant de la Grande Motte at the base of the funicular serves snack and paninis on a great sun terrace.
Chalet du Bollin looking down over Val Claret gives you a choice of self service of waiter service.
La Sachette in Les Brevieres is in a wonderfully sunny spot and offers great value food.
Tignes Cuisine near the Rosset chair has the best bargains around serving up pasties or chicken noodles for under 5euros
L’Edelweiss on Mangard run towards Le Fornet has spectacular views
La Folie Douce heading down to La Daille does a brilliant après ski vibe and the food isn't bad.
Getting There
Tignes is towards the end of the Tarantaise valley just before Val D'Isere. As most budget airlines now fly to Lyon and Chambery the transfer time is only 2 and a half hours max. Chambery is the nearest, followed by Lyon with Geneva being 3hrs away. The bus service from the airports is reliable and runs everyday with the exception of Chambery which is Saturday service only.
Catch the train to Bourg Saint Maurice then do the last 30km by taxi or jump on the regular bus. Val D'Isere and St Foy are in close proximity if you have a car which widens your options for accommodation, although Tignes is slightly cheaper.
Vital Statistics
Nearest town Bourg St Maurice
Shops 97
Laundrettes 3
Post office 1
Banks 4
Highest Lift 3456m
Ski Area 300km
Longest run 10km
Lifts 89
Mountain Restaurants 15
Beginners 20%
Intermediate 43%
Advanced 37%
Off piste 10/10
Pipes 2
Parks 2
Trees 15%
Backcountry Some of the best in France
Fly to Chambery
Transfer Time 2 hours
Nightlife Down to earth, good vibe, not too pricey.
