Tignes Ski School

Fly

If you’re arriving by air then you’ll probably fly into either Grenoble, Lyon or Geneva. You can then get a private or shared transfer from the airport to your accommodation.

There are buses from the airport but you will need to change at Moutiers and they’re not cheap so if they is a few of you it often cheaper to share a transfer.

The train is the cheapest option but again this will involve several changes and the trains are somewhat infrequent.

Drive

It’s about a 9hr drive once in France to reach Tignes. The benefits of driving are no luggage restrictions and the option of an extra day skiing during a week’s holiday but the tolls can be quite pricey on the motorways so something to consider.

Consult the opening times for Tignes ski resort here.

Tignes le lac lies at 1810m altitude. But the actual skiing above the resort is mostly over 2000m, making it one of the highest ski resorts in Europe.

In our opinion, Tignes is the most snow-sure ski resort in the French Alps. (Well, maybe joint with Val Thorens!) The resort sits at a high altitude with most slopes over 2,000m and north facing, meaning they don’t get affected by the sun and leave more epic off-piste fun for everyone, for longer!

Tignes is also lucky enough to have the Grande Motte Glacier sitting in the centre of the ski area at 3450m, meaning you can in fact ski in Tignes in the summer months too!

No! Of course Tignes can be expensive if you choose to stay in high end hotels and only eat on the mountain. But if you’re trying to stick to a budget, there are plenty of accommodation options that are reasonable, including apartments that are self-catered and AirBnbs.

As for restaurants, like any ski resort, it’s more expensive to eat on the mountain but there are plenty of resonable options in Tignes le Lac and Lavachet. Some of our favourite bars and restaurants in Tignes are le Cantine, Braseros Bar, La Queue de Cochon and Loop Bar.

Tignes is ahead of the rest of France and also has plenty of options for any dietary requirements such as vegan or vegetarian.

You can check out the latest snow conditions using these webcams.

Tignes is a fantastic resort to learn to ski or snowboard in. Enjoy skiing or snowboarding for the first time with plenty of free lifts, gentle terrain and a relaxed atmosphere. The large network of Espace Killy interconnected pistes that join Tignes & Val d’Isere mean there is plenty to explore. And with the Vanoise National park just next door, everyone can enjoy the stunning views, no matter your ability.

The beginner area sits in the centre of Le Lac, making it easy to access from wherever you’re staying. For those not staying in Le Lac, the local bus is free and will take you close to the Magic Carpet. The magic carpet lift is the first stop for most “never-even-put-on-a pair-of-skis” beginners, with a gentle slope on both sides. Tignes offers plenty of space to get used to your new planks!

Even more conveniently, this is right next to our meeting point for those learning to ski with one of our enthusiastic, knowledgeable and encouraging team members. Making pick up and drops off easy for families with kids and adults in different groups. This is another reason why Tignes, is such a family friendly ski resort.

Best ski resorts for beginners

If you’re staying in Val Claret or Lavachet there is a free bus which runs every 10mins to Tignes le Lac and our meeting point.

If you’re staying in Les Boisses you can catch a bus which runs every 30 mins to Tignes le Lac.

For private lessons however we can meet you in other locations within the ski srea on request.

Find all Tignes lift pass options and prices here.

Tignes is a fun resort for kids of all ages. Not to mention the endless skiing, with beginner areas just a short walk from most accommodation options. Tignes also boasts a large swimming complex, endless sledging, a climbing wall, trampolines and an ice rink. There are free buses to get you between other villages and most restaurants are child friendly.

Read more about why Tignes is a great resort for your next family ski holiday.

We recommend one childcare providers in Tignes:

T4 Nannies
T4 offers a private nanny service in Val d’Isère, Tignes, Méribel, Courchevel, La Tania, La Plagne and La Rosiere. They hand pick nannies who share the belief that undivided attention, fun and getting involved are the key ingredients to a happy family holiday.

Boobird Childcare
Entwining passions for travelling and natural learning, each child’s holiday is filled with play and creativity. Parents can explore the mountains knowing their children are safely cared for.

The closest airport to Tignes is Chambery. But Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble airports are a popular option amongst most of our clients as they have a far greater choice of airlines and destinations.

There is no need to worry about what to get up to after skiing, as TIgnes has a number of activities to keep you entertained all day long.

Le Lagon: Head to Le Lagon swimming pool in Le Lac for a splash around with the kids. Children under 5 get free entry and you get a free pass per day included in the price of your weekly ski pass. There is a paddling pool for toddlers, and for older children Jacuzzi style under water benches, a cave and a slide where children (or adults) can go head to head!

Tignes Espace: Head to Tignes Espace, the sporting hub of Tignes, and book your children onto the trampolines. Right in the heart of Le Lac, a great way to tire the kids out by letting them bounce to their hearts content!

Bowling: For the older kids (and adults) book a bowling lane next door to Tignes Espace in Le Lac for an evening’s entertainment and some light competition between the family!

Ice Skating: Head down to Tignes lake where the children can try their hand (or feet!) at ice-skating. It’s completely free other than the skate hire which is €2 for under 13s or €3 for adults. Every Thursday there is a “disco on ice” from 20:00-22:00 for any older children/teens that may fancy it, of course this is weather dependent!

Sledging: Between the Toviere lift and Le Lagon swimming pool is a small sledging slope, great for races on sledges with a good run-out at the bottom. Sledges can be purchased in all shapes and sizes at most ski-hire shops and if you’re lucky some chalets come with sledges/bum-boards available to use as and when the kids desire!

For useful information about resorts, including snow reports, where to eat, transfers and more check out one of the following sites:

Tignes.co.uk

Tignesnet
A helpful site with regular event listings of what’s going on in resort, snow reports and more.