The glacier resort of Tignes is widely regarded as one of the best ski regions in the Alps due to its unbeatable snow record. It is just a 40 mins drive from Val d'Isere over the mountain and together they make up the infamous Espace Killy, named after 1968 (Winter) Olympic gold medalist, Jean-Claude Killy.
The main resort of Tignes Le Lac sits at 2100m beneath the well known mountains of La Grande Motte (3656m) and La Grande Casse (3852m). There is 1900m difference in skiing access from the Grande Motte Glacier right to the heart of the resort providing a huge amount of skiing which boasts over 150 runs.
Altitude & Variety on a Tignes Ski Holiday
Tignes has a good choice of blue runs on the glacier, but the usually chilly temperatures are not conducive to learning! Therefore Tignes in our opinion, is definitely a resort for the more intermediate and hardcore skiers. The long descent to Val Claret is a test for even the fittest of intermediates with strong thigh muscles when taken without stopping.
You are usually able to ski in Tignes from October for up to 10 months of the year with it's 300km of slopes open through until May! There is a modern funicular, which ferries skiers from Val Claret at 2,100m to the Panoramic restaurant at 3,030m in just six minutes. During the summer months visitors are also able to ski 20km of piste up on the glacier or at the snowpark. A cable-car and a network of chair and drag-lifts serve the resort during the summer months for both skiers and non skiers, making it the perfect summer resort choice.
There are some beautiful luxury chalets in Tignes and a couple of luxury ski chalets located at 1,550m altitude in the smaller, more traditional village of Tignes Les Brevieres.
Apres Ski in Tignes
Besides offering world-class skiing, Tignes boasts a very healthy nightlife. Whether you prefer to soak up the last of the afternoon sun with a quiet beer or dance on the tables in your ski boots Tignes has no shortage of great spots on which to set your sights when the lifts shut for the day!
Although Tignes is split into Val Claret, Le Lac, Lavachet and Les Brevieres, there is a free 24 hour bus service running between all parts of the resort so getting about is hassle-free!
Saloon Bar which has sister bars in both Val D'Isere and Val Thorens, continues to bring the party atmosphere to the Espace Killy. They've got some great happy hour promotions, entertainment and a pool table. Le Studio is a cosy and cool French bar great for live sport on TV or cocktails, whichever you prefer. If you fancy sitting in fur lined chairs round an open fire and drinking a Vin Chaud then Grizzly's ornately decorated bar is probably for you! Hand crafted by the owner himself it is well know in town, but beware you will be paying a premium for your drinks.
Melting Pot is a favourite for hardcore partiers open until 4am playing Electro, Drum & Bass, Hip-Hop and any other genre of music outside of your cheesy pop. For that you have Blue Girl, a club that most people prefer to forget as it can get slightly out of hand. The same goes for Jack's Club in Le Lac also open until 4am providing visitors with all the cheesiest music to frolic around a pole to!
There are some great bars situated perfectly to the piste for easy access after a hard days skiing. These include Underground bar on Rue de la poste, The Marmot Arms at the foot of the Palafour chairlift which is alongside Jam Bar, a favourite Italian owned bar for coffee lovers.
For fantastic views, The Loop bar is the place to go with one of the best sun terraces in Tignes! Looking out over the lake up to the Grand Motte, there is a great happy hour and live sports are shown on TV. Every night is a party night with world famous DJs and live music at après and in the evenings.
Also owned by the same people is Brasero in Le Lavachet which has recently undergone a face lift. There are evening bands throughout the week as well as promotional nights such as Whisky tasting, Mojito Mondays and free shots with every drink! Just over the road from the Brasero is the Queue de Cochon. Previously ‘Scotty's Bar', it has just been taken over by new management and is a great addition to the bar scene in Lavachet.
The icing on the Apres cake in Lavachet is TC's bar which hosts wild nights such as 'Night of a Thousand Shots' to 'Fetish Night'....it's a safe to say this place is known for a seriously good party!
