Tignes

About Tignes

Tignes consists of five villages located at the base of France’s La Grande Motte, one of Europe’s largest glaciers. Tignes connects to Val-d'Isère, skiing at both resorts is possible when you purchase a joint ski pass, creating a combined network of over 186 miles of runs linked by 71 lifts: nine gondolas, 34 chairlifts, two funiculars and 26 drag lifts, including Tbar and carpets. Tignes' main attraction for skiers and snowboarders is its massive vertical of over 6,000 feet and more terrain than you could possibly cover in one visit. As host of Winter X Games Euro, your kids will love exploring Tignes’ Snowpark DC, with the option to start at the easy terrain park on the opposite side of the mountain to build confidence and keep an eye out for professional skiers and snowboarders training for the next X Games!

The cruising at Tignes is fantastic, especially if you don’t want to ski the same run twice. First-time visitors can never get over how truly vast this ski area is. Individually, Tignes comprises several villages connected by lifts. Tignes skiing is divided into four areas: La Grande Motte, L'Aiguille Percée/Palet, Tovière and Les Brévières, and each area offers something different. The region's natural beauty, combined with its high-altitude terrain, provides breathtaking views and exhilarating experiences for all types of skiers.

La Grande Motte glacier enables skiers to get turns almost year-round when planning a vacation to Tignes. With a Tignes ski vacation, everything can be enjoyed on a grand scale: a massive, skiable glacier, miles and miles of terrain and the Perce-Neige funicular, an underground express train capable of transporting 3,000 passengers per hour up to La Grande Motte at a speed of 12 meters per second. The region is also known for its lively après-ski scene, with 8 top-notch ski schools, numerous bars, restaurants and events that cater to a diverse international crowd.

How to get to Tignes

The closest train station, Bourg St Maurice, is just a 40-minute shuttle or taxi ride away from Tignes. Regular bus services connect Tignes with major airports in Geneva, Lyon, and Grenoble. For those driving, ample parking is available in Tignes, complemented by a free shuttle service within the resort.

Major nearby airports include Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Geneva, Chambéry, and Grenoble, all providing convenient connections to Tignes in under 2.5 hours via shuttle, rental car, or taxi.    

Getting around Tignes is simple, as parking is available in Tignes as well as free shuttle services within the area’s resorts.

Skiing in Tignes

La Grande Motte’s high-elevation glacier skiing offers year-round skiing. There is a wide selection of blue and red pistes, so skiers of at least an intermediate level are best suited for this area. L'Aiguille Percée/Palet is an ideal zone for less experienced off-piste skiers and boarders to try out variable conditions. This area is also where the most famous run of Tignes, La Sache, a 6-mile-long black run full of bumps, from the top through the valley of Les Brévières, can be found. Experts in search of steep terrain will be stoked on everything Tignes has to offer, including glacier skiing, but skiers of all levels will be able to ski the resort if they purchase the interconnected pass to get to more accessible terrain on the Val-d'Isère side.

Tignes primarily offers terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers with a total of 161 slopes, of which 22 are beginner runs, 66 intermediate, 41 advanced, 32 expert and 12 non-groomed but secure freeride slopes.

Ski.com recommends hiring a guide to maximize your time on the mountain, especially if you're not familiar with the resort. Tignes is an ideal spot for expert skiers, especially with the famous 6-mile-long Le Sache run. Lift tickets for Tignes-Val d’Isere, the combined resorts making up the 8th biggest resort in Europe, enable skiers to reach terrain for all levels.

Family vacations in Tignes

Tignes, France, isn't just a prime ski destination—it's a paradise for families looking for an all-around winter wonderland. For beginners, Tignes offers areas like Ski Start, perfect for getting comfortable on the slopes. For those ready to catch some air, Gliss'Park and DC Park provide thrilling freestyle zones. But the fun doesn't stop there! Tignes also has a host of activities like snowshoeing, dog sledding, and paragliding that cater to all ages and skill levels. Families can dive into unique adventures like ice diving in the frozen lake or get a rush from a Bun J Ride jump.

Tignes makes learning easy and accessible, withski lifts dedicated to progression areas, making it a breeze for newcomers to find their ski legs. And for those moments off the slopes, cultural activities at Le Panorama and movies at the cinema in Val Claret offer perfect family-friendly entertainment. An unforgettable experience awaits in this alpine haven, making Tignes a top choice for an adventurous and memorable family vacation.