Tignes, France, For Almost-year-round Skiing

Tignes is an ideal destination for all skiers since it is formed of no less than five ski areas, both at the bottom and at the top of the valley. The areas are : Les Boisses, Val Claret, Le Lac, Le Lavachet, and Les Brevieres. The slopes are sometimes very busy but never crowded, and because of all the ski slopes available, skiers always get to enjoy their own space.

Whether you are an experienced snowboarder or you are just thinking to give the sport a try, Tignes installations will suit you perfectly. Skiing is still more popular, but snowboarding is gaining ground and it is not surprising! The resort has to offer boarder crosses, quarter pipes and two half pipes to keep the boarders busy. Tignes also has over 20 kilometers of marked cross-country trails, for adepts of the activity.

For those who want different activities, the choice here is almost unlimited. Ice, waterfalls and rock climbing are all possible, as well as heliskiing, ice diving, snowmobiling, and hang gliding. For something less adrenalin-packed, snowshoeing, ice skating (outdoor or indoor), bowling or basketball are all options to consider. All that is usually available in mountain towns can ve found in Tignes. With more than 125 shops, several banks, post offices, gaz stations and even churches from different denominations, Tignes can provide you with whatever you might need, a new coat or salvation!

For all those reasons Tignes, which first became famous in the 1960s, is the perfect base for summer ski vacation. The Grande Motte glacier close by offers over 1,000 meters of vertical drop, to ski eight to nine months per year. The landscape of the area is said to be somewhat smoother than in other summer ski areas and because of that, snow conditions are more vulnerable to any small weather variation.

If you want to try summer aprs-ski, Tignes is bursting with options. Restaurants, bars and discothques of all kinds and for all tastes are found in town. As for accommodations, if some of Tignes' residences have seen better days and some restoration is obviously needed, many of the hotels and buildings have been refurbished. It keeps the look of Tignes modern but with a throwback feel. The town of Tignes counts dozens of hotels, hotel residences, holiday centers, two holiday clubs, and nearly 75 private and leased-out apartments, so everyone can find accommodation that suits their needs and requirements.