Tignes is known for the assured resorts for the most snow, it is opened all year round with access to glacier skiing as well as skiing in the Espace Killy ski area. The resort has a lot to offer to all types of skiers across Tignes and Val d’Isère as well as luxury chalets and hotels to suit all your needs.
Tignes, located in the Tarentaise Valley, which is in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France, is one of the most snow-sure of all the ski resorts in France. At 2,100 metres above sea level it boasts wonderfully picturesque and snow-covered pistes, even at times when other resorts are only able to offer skiers sludgy runs. Together with the nearby resort of Val d’Isère, the two popular resorts form the ‘Tignes-Val d’Isere’ ski area.
Tignes is not one single village, but five villages – Val Claret, Tignes le Lac, Le Lavachet, Tignes Les Boisses and Tignes-les-Brévières. The first three are at an altitude of 2,100 metres, while the latter two are located further down the valley. The villages are similar in many regards, but each village possesses its own unique charm, with each worthy of visiting whilst in Tignes if only to stop in for something warm, or something cold, to drink whilst passing by.
There are some superb après ski bars to be found in Tignes, including our pick, la Folie Douce in Val-d’Isère, which is a pumping party venue, as well as a number of superb restaurants. We recommend La Ferme des 3 Capucines in Le Lavachet.
Resort Restaurants
La Ferme situated close to the base of the Chaudannes chair lift is a gem and it’s possible to eat here for lunch too tucked away on the piste and below the chalets. Tignes most rated restaurant is a modern yet traditional restaurant serving delicious local food. The livestock share the building and can be seen through the glass partition. The Campanules is reportedly very good and the Hotel Arbina in the centre of Le Lac provides no nonsense good food, value and service. In Tignes Val Claret the Caveau is great for a treat.
Mountain Restaurants
For a modern French resort the mountain restaurants in the Tignes (and Val d’Isere) area are pretty good. The Alpage (self service) and Lo Soli (table service) at the top of the Chaudannes chair from Tignes Le Lac are good. The restaurant at the top of Toviere is a good mid morning/afternoon pit stop (crowded at lunchtime). The Panoramic restaurant at the foot of the Grand Motte cable car is perfectly OK especially in warmer, sunnier weather when the large deck comes into its own. The restaurant under the Montana hotel is a good find, serving traditional Savoyarde food. In Tignes Les Brevieres the restaurants in the village (not those at the foot of the slopes) are well worth the ski down: Sachette and Etoile des Neiges.
