Travel Eye on Tignes (Alps, France)

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Overview:

Tignes enjoys all the skiing attributes of Val d'Isère, as they combine to make up the L'Espace Killy. The 300km of marked pistes cover all abilities and provide greatly varied mountain terrain. Advanced skiers and boarders are particularly well served, with great off-piste (a guide is an absolute must).

A modern, purpose-built, high-altitude resort set around a mountain lake (frozen in winter) and divided into 3 main sectors: Tignes le Lac, Le Lavachet and high-rise Val Claret. There is no real centre, but Tignes le Lac, subdivided into Le Bec Rouge, Le Rosset and Les Almes, is considered the hub.

Tignes also has the Grande Motte glacier, so year-round skiing is available - one of its biggest attractions. Because of its high altitude, Tignes makes for an excellent early or late season venue.

The whole area is serviced very well by an efficient lift system and the five 'satellites' that make up the resort are all linked by free bus. Beginners have plenty of blues, while intermediates have their reds, but be warned. As with Val, some of the piste grading is inaccurate and some greens are more like tough reds.

This area attracts young budget to middlemarket skiing couples and groups seeking exceptional snowsure conditions and largely piste-to-porch convenience. Good family atmosphere with plenty of activities for children. Limited appeal for nonskiers.

There is an enormous range of soulless self-catering apartments, the majority on the small to medium side. Insignificant numbers of hotels by comparison. Numerous catered chalets.

Locality:

Tignes is situated in SE France, in the Savoie region, very close to the Italian frontier It is 52 mls SE of Albertville, 19 mls SE of Bourg St Maurice, 5 mls NW of Val d'Isere, 118 mls SE of Geneva (Switzerland) and its airport, 143 mls E of Lyon and its airport. In a broad, open snow bowl at the foot of the Grande Motte Glacier, hemmed in on 3 sides by treeless mountains and surrounding a small natural lake. Reached by a single access road from the Isere Valley.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Skiing - Heli skiing, Torchlit descents.

Snowboarding - Snowparks: 1, Halfpipes: 1.

Other Snow Sports - Cross country: 20km Cross country equipment available, Snow shoeing:Snow shoes available, Telemark: Telemark equipment available: Skidoos:

Bec Rouge and Val Claret offer the largest selection of retailers, although there is a preponderance of ski-rental and sports outlets. Several supermarkets serve the large self-catering community. Saturday open-air market in Le Lac selling local produce and sports/ski clothing.

During the daytime the winter activities include exceptional downhill skiing, snowboarding , paraskiing, dog-sled riding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice-skating, cross-country trails and ice-diving. There are also local scenic helicopter rides, indoor sports like squash, swimming and bowling, fitness centres with gym, sauna, pool etc.

In summer, there is mountain biking and hiking, white-water rafting, canyoning, fishing, lake-based water sports, horse riding and golf.

The nightlife in this resort is fairly lively and unsophisticated with numerous bars and restaurants, some offering live music and themed evenings. You will find half a dozen small discos, cinemas. Torchlight descents and snowmobiling by floodlight add a more adrenalin filled evening.

There is a broad if uninspiring choice dominated by local specialities such as cheeses and hams. Tex-Mex, pizzerias and fast-food eateries as well as 1 or 2 gourmet restaurants.

Lifts & Slopes
Highest lift: 3450m (11318ft)
Lowest lift: 1550m (5085ft)
Vertical drop: 1900m (6233ft)
Number of lifts: 47
Uplift capacity: 75500 p/hr
Number of slopes: 65
Beginner: 63%
Intermediate: 25%
Expert: 12%
Total piste length: 150km
Snowboard parks: 1
Cross country: 20km