  Airport
About TignesHome to one of Europe's largest glaciers, Tignes is a fascinating place to ski. Tignes and neighbouring resort Val d'Isere make up the L'Espace Killy, an area famed for its reliable sow and epic amount of terrain. Five villages make up Tignes; Val Claret, Tignes le Lac, Le Lavachet, Tignes Les Boisses and Tignes-les-Brévières. The first three are close together at 2100m and Les Boisses and Les Brevieres are further down the valley, above and below the dam. While much of the terrain is focused on intermediate skiers, Tignes is known for its incredible off-piste, there is a half pipe, boardercross course, some great free riding & the 1992 Olympics downhill course should you be feeling up for it. For those seriously dedicated to skiing, Tignes has a lot to offer. Be prepared for long days up the mountain before relaxing evenings in the local bars and restaurants - you'll be ready for an early night. Compared to its neighbour Val d'Isère, sport comes first here and you're more likely to find visitors staying on the slopes as long as possible rather than partying the night away. While it has a host of good Après- ski venues, the atmosphere is not as raging as Val d'Isere. The actual resort is split between Val Claret, Le Lac and Le Lavachet, although most visitors tend to move between each of the villages. The sunning glacier, The Grande Motte, offers a good choice of wide open blue runs, but it can get very cold, so rug up warm before you set out. There are a number of cruisey intermediate runs and although there's not a huge selection of blacks, you can try the 'Sache', a long black run from the top of the L'Aiguille Percée to Tignes Les Brévières - it provides some fierce moguls and challenging skiing. There is enough physical space that you could not cover even half the resort trails in a three-day stay. Au contraire, if you are into tricks and jumps, you could easily spend all day at the two-and-a-half-kilometre long snow park. For beginners
Beginners will enjoy Tignes, as the nursery slopes are right next to most of the accommodation, so they can get there and home quickly and easily. They are wide, quiet and gentle to learn on. These are wide, quiet and probably the most snow-sure in the Alps. Both these and the nursery slopes at nearby Val Claret are served by free lifts.
For intermediates
Intermediates will have fun on the blues and reds of the Grande Motte glacier and the tree-lined runs to the foot of the resort which are quieter. At Le Grande Motte, skiing on the glacier is wide open and relatively mellow, fairly lower intermediate terrain. The Palet/Aiguille Percée offers relatively mellow terrain under the Col du Palet, with relatively tough intermediate runs down from the Aiguille Percée.
For the advanced
Experts love Tignes, with so many off-trail possibilities, as well as the chance to head over the Col du Palet or over the back side of Aiguille Percée down Vallon de la Sache to Les Brévières. Then there's the steep 1,950-foot vertical drop back into town! The heart-stopping black Sache, which twists and turns down through 1,250m from the Aiguille Percée to Tignes-les-Brévières, is a must ski.
Ski school
There are a number of Ski/Snowboard Schools serving Tignes, offering all types of lessons to all standards. It is probably best not to buy a ski pass or hire your equipment until you have organised your lessons as there may be a better all inclusive deal, plus there are 5 free lifts for beginners, talk to the school about the best options. Progression Ski and Snowboard School Alpine Logic The Development Centre Ski Revolution Ultimate Snowsports Après Ski
Tignes may not be as well known for its Après-ski as neighbouring Val d'Isere, but it still knows how to party! There are more than 50 bars offering everything from fun pubs to sophisticated clubs. Crowded House is one of the best bars, hosting crazy parties close to the clubs. The Couloir bar has 60 flavours of vodka shots and great live bands. Fish Tank at the bottom of the Val Claret piste is great for enjoying a vin chaud on the terrace after a day on the slopes. There are more than 60 restaurants offering good food for all budgets. Le Caveau is a stylish, lavish delight, Saint Jacques is a favourite, this Belgian/Savoyard restaurant, and La Pignatta combines great pizzas with traditional dishes ranging from tartiflette to fondue.
Off the Mountain
If you've still got some energy left after skiing hard, and you like a little adrenaline, you could try ice diving, dog sledding, paragliding, ice climbing, hang-gliding, horse riding, climbing or a helicopter trip. For some rest and relaxation, check into a spa for the day and enjoy Jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms and beauty treatments. The winter Aqua Centre was opened in Tignes on July 2006, on the lakeside in the heart of the resort at 2100m. Some of the facilities in the 5000m2 spa include a 25m pool, a fun pool with four 30m water slides, a leisure pool with swimming against the current, hydro-massage and a fitness room. There's also a Multimedia Centre on the top floor of the Maison de Tignes in Le Lac with internet, video games and digital camera downloading facilities. Alternatively head to Jacks Bowling Alley (Le Lac) or the Cinema in Val Claret. Getting there
By air
The closest airport to Tignes is Geneva (170 km). Chambéry (140 km) is the second closest, followed by Grenoble (160 km), Lyon (220 km) and St. Eienne (290km). Airport transfers
There are several fantastic airport transfer companies operating to Avoriaz. The firms we recommend and use oursleves include: By Train
A ski train from London Waterloo to Bourg-St-Maurice runs twice a week, for more detailed information visit their website at www.eurostar.co.uk By car
If you drive, the best route from Geneva is au-to route A41 to Annecy and then N90 to Albertville. From there, follow signs to Bourg-St. Maurice and on to Tignes. From Lyons, take autoroute A43 to Albertville, then follow the signs to Moutiers, Bourg-St. Maurice, and on to Tignes.
Resort rating and reviews
Resort ratings out of 10
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Weather and snow report
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Today
Outlook: light rain Snow amount: 0 Wind speed: 5kph Max temp: 2ºC Min temp: 2ºC 
Tomorrow
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Sunday
Outlook: clear Snow amount: 11 Wind speed: 15kph Max temp: 4ºC Min temp: 3ºC Jump to |
Skiing Holidays in TignesPhoto
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