Tignes

Tignes is arguably the world’s greatest year-round ski centre.  The lifts are open 365 days a year and summer skiing is extensive; there are more than 40 km of runs served by 14 lifts.  Unlike many supposed ‘summer ski resorts,’ the vertical drop in Tignes remains big year round, up to 1000m (3280 feet) even in the summer.  In winter that figure almost doubles to give one of the world’s biggest verticals, with the bottom of it high enough for the full vertical to be skiable most of the season ( notably lacking for other European resorts ). 

Tignes shares the legenday ‘Espace Killy’ Pass with Val d'Isère, a vast region with 310 km ( almost 200 miles ) of lift linked trails. Generally regarded as among the world’s best skiing areas ( in addition to being one of the biggest ), the piste offers something for everyone. However, it is experts who will be the most impressed, if only because they won't  find the limitations they do everywhere else.  Instead there are plenty of off-piste options and many hair-raising black runs on the marked trails themselves.

Espace Killy  2100m-3600m

Espace Killy is 10000 famous skiing hectares on 300 km of marked and safe slopes, 200 snow-cannons and 100 ski lifts and has been labelled  "most beautiful skiing area of the world".  Espace Killy has to be seen to be believed!

Beginners** Intermediates***
Advanced*** Snowboarders***

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Ski Facts: 150km with 65 pistes: 8 black, 16 red, 40 blue, 1 green, snowpark, boardercross. 20km cross country.

Lift Pass: 6 days adult €172.50, child 5-12yrs €129.50, senior 60-69yrs €147.

Ski School: 6 half days group lessons adult €126, child €118. ESF Tignes Val Claret tel 0033 479 06 31 28. www.esf-tignes.com

Non-skiing: skating rink, fitness centre, climbing, helisking, swimming-pool, bowling, discos, clubs, cinemas.

Children: Les Marmottons (Tignes Val Claret) tel 0033 479 06 51 67 from 2-8 yrs €43/day.

Travel: By car: Calais 600 miles. By rail: Bourg St Maurice 17 miles. By air: Geneva/Lyon airports 2½hrs.

Nightlife: The Angel Bar ; TCs Bar

NOTE: Prices are approximate and are to be used as a guide only. Travel distances are approximate and travel times are subject to road conditions.