| Tignes, France » Location In southeast France, in the Savoie region, very close to the Italian frontier. 52 mls southeast of Albertville. 19 mls southeast of Bourg St Maurice. 5 mls northwest of Val d'Isere. 118 mls southeast of Geneva (Switzerland) and its airport. 143 mls east of Lyon and its airport. » Position In a broad, open snow bowl at the foot of the Grande Motte Glacier, hemmed in on 3 sides by treeless mountains and surrounding a small natural lake. Reached by a single access road from the Isere Valley. » Description A modern, purpose-built, high-altitude resort set around a mountain lake (frozen in winter) and divided into 3 main sectors: Tignes le Lac and Le Lavachet, together covering an area of ml by 500 yds, plus high-rise Val Claret, measuring around 700 yds by 400 yds. There is no real centre, but Tignes le Lac subdivided into Le Bec Rouge, Le Rosset and Les Almes is considered the hub. It is a somewhat aesthetically challenged resort, its unsympathetic concrete buildings out of place in the alpine setting, with accommodation, commercial premises and restaurants strung together in mechanical fashion across a white, almost moon-like landscape. However, several buildings are being renovated in an attempt to redefine its alpine character and this has succeeded in improving the look of the resort. The lack of architectural style hasn't stopped it becoming a perennial favourite with avid skiers who simply want to experience all that the outstanding Espace Killy ski-area shared with neighbouring Val d'Isere has to offer. Nearby lower-altitude villages of Tignes les Boisses and Les Brevieres are simple, low-key satellites with limited amenities and appeal. » Suitable for Young budget to middlemarket skiing couples and groups seeking exceptional snowsure conditions and largely piste-to-porch convenience. Good family atmosphere with plenty of activities for children. Limited appeal for nonskiers. » Accommodation An enormous range of soulless self-catering apartments, the majority on the small to medium side. An insignificant numbers of hotels by comparison, however there are some new luxury apartment properties with a recreated old rustic style. Numerous catered chalets and a even a couple of small, charming, family-run hotels. » Shopping Bec Rouge and Val Claret offer the largest selection of retailers, although there is a preponderance of ski-rental and sports outlets. Several supermarkets serve the large self-catering community. Saturday open-air market in Le Lac selling local produce and sports/ski clothing. » Entertainment Daytime: winter activities include exceptional downhill skiing, snowboarding (large snow park with boarder cross, half and quarter pipes), paraskiing, dog-sled riding, snowmobiles, snowshoeing, ice-skating, cross-country trails and ice-diving; scenic helicopter rides; indoor sports like squash, swimming and bowling; fitness centres with gym, sauna, pool etc. In summer, mountain biking and hiking, white-water rafting, canyoning, fishing, lake-based water sports, horse riding and golf. Nightlife: fairly lively and unsophisticated with numerous bars and restaurants, some offering live music and themed evenings; half a dozen small nightclubs; cinemas. Torchlight descents and snowmobiles. » Eating Broad if uninspiring choice dominated by local specialities such as cheeses and hams. Tex-Mex, pizzerias and fast-food eateries as well as 1 or 2 gourmet restaurants. » Public Transport Free resort ski-bus service around and between all villages operates 24 hrs (limited service after midnight). Infrequent services down to Bourg St Maurice's railway station; more regular at weekends. Handful of taxis. » Excursions In winter, limited to off-piste guided tours. In summer, choice of walking trips, including hiking and guided tours of the Vanoise National Park. » Skiing Descsription 48 lifts in the Tignes area (Grande Motte funicular and cable car, 5 gondolas, 27 chairs and 18 drag-lifts), with main stations situated in Lac and at the southern end of Val Claret. The lift network connects to the wider Espace Killy ski-area which offers about 89 lifts in total, including an underground funicular. The Super Tignes ski-pass covers the Tignes area only; more accomplished skiers may prefer the extra choice offered by the Espace Killy pass incorporating Val d'Isere. Variety of ski and snowboarding schools employing around 365 instructors overall; the official French school has bases in Lac and Val Claret, and there are alternative private enterprises specialising in more extreme downhill pursuits for the advanced; children's lessons and ski-kindergarten. » Statistics Village: 6,890 ft. Highest lifts (Grande Motte): 11,339 ft. Exceptional snow, many north-facing slopes and easy access to the Espace Killy ski-area ensures a long, confident season from Dec to May, with the benefit of year-round glacier skiing on the Grande Motte. Snow-making machines are available on some slopes if necessary. 94 mls of slopes in the Tignes area comprising 1 green run, 40 blue, 16 red and 8 black, rising to 188 mls of well-groomed piste and 28 mls of cross-country trails in the wider Espace Killy ski-area incorporating Val d'Isere. Two snowboard parks. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Hotels in Tignes, France |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Select page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Select page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
