A guide to Tignes ski area

The ski resort of Tignes

Sitting high in the French Alps, Tignes is one of Europe’s best-known ski destinations.  

With an altitude that's snow-sure, a modern lift system, and a huge variety of pistes, it’s the perfect choice for skiers of every level.  

Tignes is made up of several interconnected villages and neighbouring Val d’Isère which forms the legendary Tignes–Val d’Isère ski area.

The villages of Tignes 

Tignes is made up of five main villages, linked by lifts, pistes, and a regular ski shuttle service. Each one offers something a little different, from lively après spots to peaceful, scenic bases. 

Tignes Le Lac 

• Right in the heart of the resort, Le Lac is the central hub of Tignes. It’s where you’ll find a great mix of shops, bars, restaurants, and ski schools, plus easy access to the slopes. From here, you can take the Aeroski gondola straight up to Tovière to connect into Val d’Isère. 
• Le Lac has a friendly atmosphere and is a great all-round base for families, couples and groups alike. 

Tignes Val Claret 

• Sitting slightly higher at 2,100 metres, Val Claret has the best snow record and immediate access to the Grande Motte glacier.  
• It’s the liveliest part of the resort, with great après-ski bars, clubs, and a buzzy, youthful vibe. This is the place to stay if you like being close to the slopes and in the heart of the action. 

Tignes Le Lavachet 

• A smaller, quieter hamlet just below Le Lac, Le Lavachet offers a more peaceful stay without losing convenience — there are lifts within walking distance and a free shuttle linking you to the main centres. 
• Ideal if you like the idea of calm evenings after busy days on the slopes. 

Tignes Les Brévières 

• Set at 1,550 metres, Les Brévières is the most traditional and picturesque of the villages, with charming stone-and-wood chalets and a cosy, alpine atmosphere. 
• You’ll access the main ski area via the Sache and Brevières lifts, and it’s a favourite for families or couples who want a relaxed base with beautiful surroundings. 

Tignes 1800 

• Built with families in mind, Tignes 1800 (Les Boisses) combines modern apartments and hotels with easy lift access via the Boisses gondola. 
• It’s well connected to the wider ski area and has everything you need for a comfortable, stress-free holiday.

Exploring the Tignes piste map 

The Tignes–Val d’Isère ski area (formerly known as the Espace Killy) is one of the biggest in the Alps, with over 300 km of pistes and 75 lifts linking both resorts.  

The Tignes side alone offers incredible variety: wide blue runs perfect for cruising, steep black runs for a challenge, and endless off-piste opportunities for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Beginner skiers

New to skiing? Head to the learner zones around Le Lac and Val Claret - they’re safe, open and close to the village centres. The green runs like Lavachet and Bollin are gentle and ideal for building confidence. 

Intermediate skiers

For confident intermediates, Tignes is paradise. Cruise down long, wide blues like Genepy from the glacier or the rolling reds around Palafour and Aiguille Percée. You can ski all the way from the top of the glacier back down to Les Brévières - one of the longest descents in the area. 

Advanced skiers and snowboarders 

Advanced skiers can test their skills on the steep Sache run into Les Brévières or explore the incredible off-piste terrain accessed from the Grand Huit and Aiguille Percée lifts. The Grande Motte Glacier reaches up to 3,456 metres, offering year-round skiing and some of the best snow conditions in the Alps.