Tignes Town Centre
Tignes is often regarded as the slightly more serious older brother to its lively neighbour Val d’Isere but is successfully rebranding itself with an ultra cool image. The resort attracts keen skiers more likely to be pushing through till last lift than indulging in an early après but there is still some great nightlife to be found if you know where to look.
Skiing started in Tignes as far back as 1920 although the original village fell foul of a hydroelectric dam in 1952 and is now submerged under lake Chevril. The Tignes which you see today is a purpose built ski resort designed with functionality rather than form in mind. Tignes has a slightly concrete feel but what it lacks in charm it makes up for in efficiency. Transport and lift systems are well laid out and effective and a there is a good range of services is on offer.
The resort is actually divided into three main areas set in a vast snowy bowl – Val Claret, Le Lac and Lavachet – although separate they are very well linked and moving between the three is easy. The UCPA centre is located in Val Claret (the highest of the three at 2100m) which acts as a hub for the resort with many of the lifts, shops and bars located here including the funicular to the Grand Motte glacier.
Tignes Nightlife
While not it’s most famous attribute the nightlife in Tignes is still superb with a great après ski atmosphere. There are a number of good bars and clubs in all three areas hosting different events and live music, the UCPA bar is a great place to start and they can recommend where to go from there.
Things to do
If you fancy a break from skiing there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied in Tignes.
- Cinema
- Le Lagon indoor water park
- Ice climbing
- Ski joering
- Dog sledding
- Ice driving with Subaru Imprezas
- Ten pin bowling
- The Grotte de Glace on the Grand Motte Glacier