Tignes - Where the Dedicated Skiers Go Skiing in the Alps

If you are looking to go skiing in the Alps you’ll definitely want to learn more about Tignes. Read on for more information.

There are a lot of venues where you can go skiing in the Alps, with the more luxurious resorts like Les Menuires and Peisey-Vallandry being a popular choice. If you're a dedicated skier searching for accessible, reliable snow all year round, then the high-altitude ski resort of Tignes may suit.

All About Tignes

The first and most significant titbit about Tignes is that it is one of the highest resorts to go skiing in the Alps – in fact in the whole of Europe. The resort village itself is located at 2100 metres above sea level, while the slopes below the Grand Motte glacier are about 3,455 metres above sea level. The pistes are maintained with skiers in mind and encompass a total area of 300 kilometres, with snow that lasts all year-round. Massive snow cannons start firing up during the warmer summer months, although the sheer height of Tignes makes it easier for the snow to stay viable.

There are four levels in Tignes. La Brevier is the lowest and is located just above the famous Barrage de Tignes dam, which is home to the world’s largest fresco painting. Le Lac has the most facilities and you can stop and replenish supplies before moving on. Le Lavachet has the highest area, Val Claret, which is situated just below the Grand Motte glacier.

The altitude of Tignes makes it virtually impossible for trees to grow. While this dampens the aesthetic appeal of the resort, especially when compared to other luxury locations, it is just perfect for the dedicated skier. No plants and trees to get in the way of a perfectly good piste!

There is a grand total of 89 lifts servicing 131 pistes, which range in altitude from 1,550 metres to 3,455 metres above sea level. This makes it pretty easy to reach a piste that best suits your needs in a matter of minutes – which is always a good thing when skiing in the Alps - unless you want to hoof it to the top yourself, which adds a whole new layer of challenge to the experience!

Getting to Tignes

Tignes is easily accessible by road and is just 1,000 kilometres away from Calais. The first 960 kilometres is via motorway or dual carriageway, making the vast majority of the journey relatively smooth and fast. The most convenient option is to work with a tour operator that specialises in holidays skiing in the Alps.

You can also opt to take the Direct Eurostar Service originating from London, which will take you straight to Bourg St Maurice. It will then take about 45 minutes by cab or minibus to reach the resort itself. You can also arrive by air in Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble or Lyon. Chambery is the closest at two hours; Geneva is the next requiring three hours for the transfer, while transferring from Lyon and Grenoble will take three and a half hours.

Keep all this information in mind and you’ll be able to understand just how Tignes stands out as a resort catering to those who take skiing in the Alps very seriously!

Article Tags: Metres Above