Tignes - commune in Savoie, France

Tignes is a famous resort in the French Alps linked to Val D'Isere.

Get in

The nearest train station is Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is served by TGV and local services. In the winter months, additional services operate; Eurostars direct from London, Thalys trains from Europe, and the ski train sleeper from Paris. This is some 35 km away however, so coach services provide the onward connection; the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes in good weather.

Get around

The village itself is fairly compact, and the use of cars is now being discouraged. The slopes are accessed direct from the village level ski lifts and cable cars; there are some 90 lifts in total!

See

The bleak architecture in the town has somewhat detracted from the atmosphere in the past, but the situation is now improving. Of course, the views of the Alps from the resort are spectacular. It is partly for this reason that Tignes is not only a winter resort for skiing, but a summer one for hiking, mountain biking, summer skiing on the glacier; it won the sporting town of France in 2008.

Do

Winter sports

Tignes is in the "Espace Killy" skiing area, which means that just one pass is needed for access to the slopes around Tignes, Val-Claret and Val D'Isere; for the 2016/17 season, a six-day pass will cost €278. Discounts are available for some people including groups, families, and people aged up to 21 and over 65 depending on other people traveling with them. Official page to purchase lift passes

The resort has some 2300 km of pistes, of which 26 km are served by snowmaking equipment. 15% are green, 46% blue, 27% red and 12% black. The resort is always renowned for the amount of snow it gets, though - a forecast of "rain up to 2000 m" means snow to village level, i.e., fresh snow on all pistes.

Summer sports

• Mountain biking with two of the main lifts in the resort open for hikers and mountain bikers you have the choice of 8 different marked routes to descend, with a difficulty ranging from easy to difficult, although this would not be a resort for complete beginner mountain bikers.

Hiking

The resort is also much suited to hiking; in summer, the snow at ground level has disappeared and the Sun can actually be quite pleasant.

Buy

Ski equipment and rental is available, as is hiking equipment in summer.

• Tignes Spirit, Lavachet, Tignes, +44 20 3326-4299. This is an independent ski and board hire shop with high end equipment at very reasonable prices. They also offer a mobile rental service.

Eat

Tignes is not renowned for its après, but the situation is improving.

Drink

There are around 20 bars and restaurants open. Le Lac is the hub for all activities in Tignes in the summer, but Le Lavachet with its all-year round atmosphere has the highest percentage of businesses open in the summer (almost the same as the winter season!) Val Claret has a slightly empty feel to the village apart from the tennis, rugby and football pitches.

Sleep

There are several hotels, apartment rentals and chalets available in the village, up to 4-star standard.

• Résidences MGM L'Ecrin des Neiges. The Residences MGM L’Ecrin des Neiges residences at Tignes is a modern ski residence that has a location in the Val Claret area of the Espace Killy ski area. Built in the traditional Savoyard style, this residence has charming, spacious and fully-equipped apartments. Direct access to the slopes, a comfortable lounge and 3 free passes per person per stay to the Lagon Aquatic area during the closure of the nearby Aquatonic fitness centre.

Go next

For major shopping, Geneva, Switzerland is about 2 hours away in car, 4 by train. Lyon is about 4 hours by car, 4 hours by train. For lesser needs, Bourg-Saint-Maurice has a cinema and outdoor and indoor swimming pool.