Tignes – Val d Isere Ski Area

Val d’ Isere

Val d’Isere (1850m) enjoys more of the cosmopolitan cachet than neighbouring Tignes, and a reputation as the perennial home from home for the discerning British skier. While Tignes got the inaugural Freestyle events for the 1992 Olympics, Val d’Isere landed a new downhill course on the twisting face of the Bellevarde, and a goodly spruce up in the village at the time. It is a longitudinal valley floor development with a traditional feel at heart, but it too needs the free shuttle bus to link up the three main base stations – La Daille near the entrance, the Front de Neige which accesses the extensive Solaise and Bellevarde sector and Le Fornet at the top end of the town, where the cable car leads up towards the lift system which takes you right up towards the Glacier de Pissaillas(3300m). At the other end of the village the less attractive, functional La Daille apartments are within sight of the funicular which rises to the peak of the Bellevarde (2770m) also with the capacity of 3000 people per hour, reducing the early morning queues just as it did too in Tignes. At most summit lifts stations throughout L’Espace Killy there are a choice of descents and more lifts fanning into the distance. Both Tignes and Val d’Isere have great lift served off piste. Tignes has more – though still reasonably limited – beginners territory low down, while less confident intermediates may struggle with the steep descents on the village runs to Val, and invariably as the queues to make the descent by lift late season build up a bit, there are those whose bravado exceeds their ability struggling down the often rocky, spring slush, or bumps that build up late spring low down on the sunny slopes. Val’s reputation as a destination for good skiers is regularly endorsed.

Accommodation & Après Ski

Val D’Isere is synonymous with French Apres ski. You can start at the Folie Douce at the top of the La Daille gondola with its live music, DJs and crowds in late afternoon, and Cocorico at the foot of the slopes in Val d’Isere. Prices are expensive, but worth every penny. Val d’Isere is one of the top après spots in Europe with countless bars across the resort. Other notable hot spots include Dick’s Tea Bar, The Morris Bar, Cocoricos, Petit Danois, The Underground and Bar La Rosee. Other activities in resort include Aqua Leisure Complex Sports centre with gym, sports hall and climbing wall Sledging Ice rink Paragliding Ice driving Snowmobiling Husky sleigh rides Ice climbing We have a wide range of self catering apartments, hotels and catered chalets available

Tignes

Tignes is undoubtedly one of the most snowsure resorts in Europe and in itself offers a massive range of skiing, rising as it does from the lowest station at Les Breveries 1550m right up to the all-year round skiing on the Grand Motte glacier at 3450m. It is a huge ski area in itself, even without accounting for the multitude of links with Val d’Isere which together form the famous L’Espace Killy – in total over 300km of prepared runs served by more than 100 lifts. Tignes comprises of five villages, all linked by an excellent shuttle bus service. Traffic in the villages is very much limited now, with designated parking areas – keeping the main village centres a bit quieter. At the lower end of the valley, beside or below the dam are the villages of Les Brevieres and Tignes Les Boises, which offer slightly cheaper accommodation and slightly fewer amenities, but there is still good lift access. Le Lac is the mid level hub, a compact jumble of long appartment blocks and modern hotels, standing chhek by jowl with the odd more traditional chalet. It is linked by bus to the apartments and smaller selction of bars and restuarants at Lavachet. Val Claret at 2100m has a great range of skiing, sitting as it does at the head of this massive natural amphitheatre like bowl, with direct rapid access provided up onto the Grande Motte runs via the new’ish underground funicular. So also it boasts runs taking off on three sides of the valley. In total Tignes runs face just about every direction of the compass. They major on longer cruises for good intermediates, great piste perparation, but there are demanding mogul faces, loads of lift served off piste, and beginners lifts at all three major villages. More recently Tignes has continued to invest heavily in new underground car parks and the resort have constructed a new Maison de Tignes all services reception area has been built to mean a one stop centre for most requirements. If you tire of the snowsport and want to try something a little different, Ice Diving is available in the frozen Lac de Tignes, and no diving experience is required.

Accommodation & Après Ski

There is no shortage of busy bars, restaurants and clubs in Val Claret, with many offering apres ski happy hours. There is a regular and free bus that travels between all the villages, up until midnight, so you can also explore the nightlife in the neighbouring villages.

For amazing views, drink and food, Grizzly’s is the best option in the resort. An outdoor fire pit helps to provide a truly cosy feel for visitors, while the cocktail menu is one of the most popular in Val Claret with several delicious options available.

The Aspen Coffee Shop is another great location to relax in after some time on the slopes. You can expect tasty local food here at affordable prices, but try to get there early as it can get very busy.
Try La Table en Montagne. Expect to pay quite a lot for the dishes here, but the price is certainly worth it, with meat and fish cooked to perfection on hot stone tiles.