skiing tignes
We choose to stay in catered ski chalets in Tignes for their superb access to the vast and spectacular Espace Killy. One of the best ski areas in Europe in our opinion and one the top ten largest areas (by kilometres of managed piste) in the world. With 5 “no lift pass required” free lifts and the altitude ensuring great snow even at resort level, beginners learning to ski or snowboard won't need to travel far or pay much if anything to get going. For us, one of the great boons of skiing Tignes is the fact that even before they reach intermediate level confident beginners can take to the stunning Grande Motte glacier because of its variety of gentle runs with views every bit as spectacular as those seen from the tougher runs. Tignes chalet skiing gives you access to over 300km of pistes with every possible type of terrain for quite literally all levels and abilities, from the endless intermediate cruisers, to experts’ challenges both on and off piste. The linked area of the giant Epace Killy spanning both Tignes & Val d'Isere spoils intermediates with over 100 red and blue trails which can be enjoyed seamlessly all week long with the modern and super-fast lift infrastructure.
With some truly excellent black trails (double diamond if you're not European) and more off-piste opportunities for experts than you can shake a waxed stick at, you’ll never get bored with the huge amount of terrain for more advanced snowboarders and skiers. In high season, the main ski schools in Tignes arrange courses & competitions in the alpine disciplines of giant slalom, special slalom, ski jump, downhill and speed skiing on the flying kilometre.
Tignes has 154 pistes and trails and now well over 300km of alpine downhill runs.
Tignes lifts: 89 which can take 75535 skiers back up the mountain each hour.
The longest continuous run in the Espace Killy is over 5.5km long.
Ski Tignes in summer too with glacier skiing.
Approx breakdown of the Tignes Ski Area:
14% beginner runs or nursery slopes,
39% intermediate boarding/skiing,
29% advanced snowboarding and skiing,
16% for expert skiers and snowboarders.
the best 5 star ski chalets tignes has to offer
snowboarding tignes
Tinges is rightly famous for having among the best snowboarding not just in Europe but in the whole snowboarding world and has terrific terrain for both those learning to snowboard and for the expert snowboarders looking for challenging piste and enormous stashes of off-piste powder. Claiming to have the biggest snowboarding area in Europe and with high quality snowboard tuition from several dedicated snowboarding schools; Tignes is one of the best ski resorts for snowboarding whether at beginner or advanced level. Snowboarding in the Tignes Palafour Comb snow park, you can ride in purpose build terrain with jumps, a free ride zone, a half pipe and over 600m of vertical descent. Take a snowboarding guide for off-piste lessons and guidance, or try heli surfing and even offer free riding courses with video playback and technique analysis to perfect your shredding style. After your massive days out on the hill you’ll be grateful for the relaxing atmosphere of your Tignes ski chalet in the evening and those hearty catered chalet breakfasts are just what you need to rocket you out of the door for the first lifts and fresh pow in the morning!
Tignes snowboarding stats:
89 ski lifts in total, 34 are surface lifts or "drag lifts" at last count but you can ski pretty much the whole of the Espace Killy whilst completely avoiding the dreaded drag lifts that beginner snowboarders fear.
Tignes has 1 terrain parks and 1 half pipe, 1 quarter pipe and 1 boarder cross courses.
tignes resort attractions and apres ski
If you're looking for something to pique your interest off the slopes, Tignes has plenty to offer the demanding winter traveller, beyond the guarantee of an unforgettable skiing or snowboarding holiday. From established favourites in the now famous Tignes après ski bars to some newly resurrected old favourites like Ski Jöring. This thrilling (terrifying?) tradition of being towed on skis behind a horse, while invented in Europe was popular in the old West of the USA and traditionally in other cultures, and is making a lukewarm comeback. More commonly an attraction seen at the more quirky winter festivals, in Tignes you can (at your own risk) actually have a go, at the School of Equestrian Adventure & Ski Joering. Traditional pony rides on the snow and over the frozen lake ice are also often on offer if you prefer a less death defying après ski diversion. If you like your H20 sports in liquid as well as frozen form, in Tignes you can even dive under the ice of a frozen lake to view the spectacular ice formations from the frigid depths below.
Where is the best après ski in Tignes? You’ll be spoiled for choice but our tip is to start your evening with a lemon curd whiskey in the Jam Bar (middle of Tignes le Lac) and the rest will likely take care of itself!