Tignes Ski Resort Guide
Tignes, France
Rated: 5/5 (from 7 ratings)
Recommended For | Freeriders, Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
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Total Piste Length | 150km |
Highest Lift | 3,450m |
Resort Height | 2,100m |
Nearest Airports | Chambery and Annecy |
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Tignes
Tignes shares the huge Espace Killy with Val D'Isere, with a vast ski domain directly accessible from five different base areas, from Les Brévières, at the lowest point in the system up to Val Claret at the head of the valley.
Summary
The ski area of Tignes is in the French Alps at an altitude of 2,100m, with 150km of marked runs.
Tignes is part of the Espace Killy ski area with access to 300km of downhill skiing, with 154 marked pistes, served by a total of 87 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Tignes itself (150km of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Espace Killy ski resort of Val d'Isère. Tignes is directly linked by Ski Lift to the ski areas of Val d'Isère.
Tignes comprises the villages of Tignes Le Lac, Tignes Les Boisses, Tignes Les Brévières and Tignes Val Claret.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Tignes?
The next notable snow forecast is 21cm, expected on 22 December.
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Snow this week
Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
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Snow to 1,699m | Snow to base | Snow to base |
Ski Area Stats
Tignes Ski Area
Black Pistes Expert Trails | 25 | 21km |
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Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 46 | 58km |
Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 61 | 100km |
Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 22 | 121km |
Downhill Total Length | 150km | |
Cross Country Total Length | 20km | |
Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 87 |
Espace Killy Ski Area
Black Pistes Expert Trails | 24 | |
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Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 44 | |
Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 65 | |
Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 21 | |
Downhill Total Length | 300km | |
Cross Country Total Length | 44km | |
Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 87 |
Altitudes & Slopes
Tignes Ski Area Heights
Highest Lift | 3,450m |
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Resort Altitude (Tignes) | 2,100m |
Lowest Piste | 1,550m |
Max Vertical | 1,900m |
Ski Slope Aspects
N, E, S, W
Tignes has ski slopes facing north, south, as well as east and west, offering both sunny and sheltered skiing.
Ratings & Suitability
Freeriders | |
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Expert Skiers | |
Intermediate Skiers | |
Beginners | |
Snowboarding | |
Snow | |
Apres-Ski |
Skiing
The maximum skiable vertical of 1900m (6234 feet) is one of the largest in the world and the lowest lift height of 1550m (4085 feet) ensures top-to-bottom skiing for most of the winter season. The hundreds of snow cannons are a help too.
Tignes for Beginners
Beginners might not be able to appreciate the skiing heaven that is all about them, but they at least have five free lifts to choose from down at the resort. There's therefore no need for a lift ticket for the first few days, and with the resort altitude you don't need to go up the mountain to find the snow. When you do gain confidence, however, a trip on the high-speed underground funicular will take you up to the Grande Motte glacier where there are plenty of wide gentle trails, as well as spectacular views when you're taking a breather.
Tignes for Intermediates
Intermediates have around 100 Blue and Red runs between Tignes and Val d'Isère, aided by a largely modern lift infrastructure to get you back up quickly and efficiently.
Several fast, high-capacity chairs link from Val Claret provide a fast link over to Val d'Isère, and the Toviere gondola allows rapid access from Tignes le Lac.
Tignes for Experts
It's the advanced skiers who will most appreciate what Espace Killy has to offer however, not least because it's often the experts who run out of options at smaller resorts. Black runs are numerous, and the Reds tend to be long enough or steep enough to keep the best skiers entertained, such as the 'Double M'.
Off-piste opportunities are possibly unmatched anywhere; legendary runs include 'The Lavachet Wall' (always, always, check Avalanche Risk before heading this way - or into any other off-piste terrain) and the Tovière mogul runs. The Aiguille Percée descents, the nearby Chardonnay Bowl and 'Golf' are fabulous but challenging off-piste terrains.
Apart from normal piste and local off-piste skiing in the company of ski school or mountain guides, Tignes has many special itineraries available including ski-safaris to other resorts in the Haute Tarentaise area of the French Alps.
Numerous ski schools, including the ESF and the highly-regarded Snoworks, offer courses for all levels, styles and genres of snow sports.
Telemark tuition is offered and there are extensive cross-country trails.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Ski Lessons in Tignes
To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Tignes Ski Schools and Tignes Ski Instructors.
Snowboarding
The Palafour and Grattalu areas have extensive fun parks, with features to suit all abilities (and confidence levels).
Location and Map
Where is Tignes?
This ski resort is in the French Alps in Albertville, Département de la Savoie.
Map
Tap for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Tignes is Chambery, 100 minutes drive away.
Annecy, Geneva, Turin Caselle, Lyon Bron and Lyon St-Exupéry airports are all within three hours drive.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 87 ski lifts are able to uplift 75,500 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 50km of ski runs, with 216 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Tignes open?
Opened (since 23 November 2024).
Closes : 4 May 2025.
Usual opening is early October (Re-opens for summer skiing from late June to August), and usual closing is Early May.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Talking about Tignes
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
Tignes le Lac is home to the impressive Tignespace sports centre and the Lagon swimming pool.