Skiing in Tignes-Val d’Isère is wonderful. Not only because of the facilities, but also because the scenery, the views, and the atmosphere of these French resorts are truly unique. Located between Savoy and the Rhône-Alpes region, these two villages are deeply connected by a shared passion for mountain sports and have successfully reinvented themselves as ski destinations. All around, the spectacular landscapes of Savoy complete the picture of a captivating ski holiday. To reach the Tignes-Val d’Isère resorts, the nearest airports are: Chambéry-Savoie (CMF), Grenoble (GNB), and Lyon (LYS).
Tignes
Nestled among the peaks of the Grande Motte, a massif over 3,000 meters high, Tignes occupies a small valley that ends around a mountain lake of the same name. The lake is one of the main attractions of this small town, along with the streams of La Daille, the La Laye forest, the Motte glacier and Lake Chevril. Nature, in short, is the main “monument” of Tignes, the heart of the ski resort.
Val d’Isère
A crescent-shaped valley nestled between mighty mountains, it follows the course of the Isère River and, despite its Italian name, is one of the pearls of French winter tourism. Together with Tignes, the municipality of Val d’Isère forms the main Savoie ski resort, but beyond the sport, it’s a beautiful place to visit because its medieval chapels, farmhouses, buildings with decorated façades also attracts art lovers. The Iséran hills, Lake Ouillette and Lake Chevril are natural attractions not to be missed, and for authentic experiences, enjoy the trails of the Vanoise National Park.
Enjoy skiing in Tignes-Val d’Isère
Until World War 2, these French Alpine resorts were simple mountain villages devoted to grazing. Only since 1956, thanks to the spread of tourist skiing, have they become unmissable sports destinations. The construction of state-of-the-art facilities, connected by a road of just 12 km (less than a 20-minute drive or a 2-hour snowshoe hike!), have transformed the region into a dream for any snow enthusiast.
The unique feature is that there’s a glacier here, which means you can ski anytime, even in summer!
The slopes extend over 300 km, ranging from 1,550 meters asl to over 3,400 meters, with a total of 80 ski lifts. Most of the slopes are “blue” (165 km), making them easy, suitable for everyone, perfect for families with children, and excellent for beginners. A full 75 km of easy-to-medium or “red” slopes are dedicated to the good skiers, while the extremely difficult “black” slopes, covering 60 km, are reserved for professionals and true champions. There’s no shortage of snowparks with all the necessary amenities, as well as opportunities for thrilling off-piste skiing. As mentioned, you can also ski here in summer, specifically on the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes.
What to visit nearby
Near the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area, you can easily visit the Bauges massifs – a two-hour drive west, or the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy – a three-hour drive east. Also relatively close are Annecy, Geneva, and, just over three hours drive away, Grenoble, Lyon, and Aosta.
In short: come to Tignes-Val d’Isère because…
- You can ski in any season of the year.
- You’re in the heart of the Alps, on the border between two nations.
- There are perfectly equipped slopes for every difficulty level.
- The landscape is worth it.
- The mountain lakes will enchant you.
