© tristanshu.com

Tignes is a highly popular resort with skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities, but these are some of the reasons why families, in particular, absolutely love heading to Tignes on their winter ski holidays.

1. Reliable snow cover throughout the season

Tignes used to be open 365 days a year thanks to being one of the highest resorts in the Alps and having one of the Europe's largest glacier ski areas on the Grande Motte. It no longer remains open to skiers and boarders throughout the year, but it does have the longest season in France (and opens for six weeks during the summer), and offers reliable snow cover throughout the winter. It's particularly ideal for families trying to avoid the high costs of a half term trip, as it's one of the most snowsure destinations in the Alps over the Christmas and Easter holiday dates.

Snowball fight in Tignes

© tristanshu.com

2. Excellent ski area

Tignes shares its ski area with Val d'Isere, which is particularly well known for its great range of advanced and off piste terrain, attracting experienced skiers and boarders from all over the world every year. However, Tignes also caters for other abilities with beginner areas located by each of the base villages, allowing newbies to perfect their turns away from busy pistes. These areas are also served by easy-to-use lifts, several of which are free, so novices don't even have to pay for a lift pass during their first few days. Meanwhile intermediates can take advantage of the brilliant long blue pistes in the huge bowl above Tignes, as well as a great range of other blue and red runs throughout the Espace Killy area.

Beginners area in Tignes

© Greg Mistral

3. Fantastic ski schools

Tignes is home to a number of brilliant ski schools, experienced at helping novices make their first turns and also improving the technique of more experienced skiers. We recommend our friends at New Generation who offer small group and private lessons to suit all levels, with fully-qualified English-speaking instructors. Plus, book your ski accommodation with PowderBeds and save 5% on ski or snowboard lessons with New Generation. Contact us on [email protected] for the discount code.

New Generation Tignes meeting point

The New Generation meeting point is located behind the tourist office in Tignes Le Lac.

New Generation ski lesson

© New Generation

4. Family-friendly accommodation

The accommodation across the base villages of Tignes is generally very well suited to families, with the vast majority being self-catering. Our apartments in Tignes range from 1 to 4 stars, with many of the higher end residences offering access to swimming pools and other spa facilities. For the added convenience of skiing back to your door, it's best to look at residences in Tignes Le Lac such as Le Telemark and Residence Village Montana, which are both located in peaceful ski-in/ski-out locations.

Le Telemark Tignes

Le Telemark

5. Great childcare services

For young kids that aren't quite old enough for ski boots or children that want a day to rest their legs, there's plenty of childcare and crèche options in Tignes. Jelly & Ice Cream offers highly qualified private nannies and babysitting services in the resort. Get in touch on [email protected] to find out more.

6. Lots of dining options

Tignes also benefits from a range of cafes and restaurants on the mountain and in the villages. Check out some of the restaurants we recommend in Tignes below.

Where to eat in Tignes

Lo Soli – located on the mountain next to the Chaudannes Chairlift, Lo Soli is a popular lunch spot, serving Savoyard delicacies.

La Toviere – this self-service restaurant is an ideal lunch or hot chocolate stop on the way over to Val d'Isere.

Aspen Coffee Shop – a budget-friendly establishment at the bottom of the Grande Motte funicular, offering healthy-sized burgers, sandwiches and salads.

Le Pignatta – a lively restaurant in the centre of Tignes Val Claret with a great range of pizza and pasta dishes available.

Brasserie L'Arbina – a good-value dining option, serving up Italian and French cuisine to hungry customers in Tignes Le Lac.

7. Le Lagon indoor waterpark

Perfect for soothing sore muscles after a long day on the piste (and for keeping the kids busy in the evenings), Tignes' very own aqua centre has a 25m swimming pool, a paddling pool with a mini slide and waterfall, and a recreational pool with a 3-lane slide, waterfall and bubble bed. Plus, for adults looking to relax, there are excellent spa facilities, including saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis. During the winter, access to Le Lagon is free with a 2–15 day Tignes-Val d'Isere ski pass.

Le Lagon indoor waterpark

© tristanshu.com

8. Tignespace sports centre

For ways to spend time on bad weather days or in the evenings after a day on the mountain, look no further than Tignespace, a fantastic sports centre in Tignes Le Lac. The indoor climbing wall is great fun for adults and children alike – there's a bouldering wall, a beginner wall and an expert area to cater for all abilities. There's also tennis and badminton courts, two trampolines and an indoor golf simulator. Prices vary depending on the activity, so contact the centre on +33479402660 to enquire about booking.

Indoor climbing wall Tignespace

© andyparant.com

9. Ice skating

In the summer it's a watersports hub, but in the winter the lake in Tignes freezes over so children and adults can glide across the ice and practise their pirouettes. Access to the rink is free but it costs around 2–3 euros to hire skates. 

Ice skating Tignes

© andyparant.com

10. Snowtubing

For kids who would like to cruise down the slopes on something other than skis, snowtubing is available in Tignes Val Claret to anyone over the age of 3. It's around 7 euros per hour for 3–6 year olds, 15 euros per hour for 7–18 year olds and 17 euros per hour for adults, but there is a family pass option which could save you up to 20%. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Snowtubing Tignes

© Snowtubing Tignes 

11. A huge choice of other activities 

As well as the activities already mentioned, there's a bowling alley in Le Lac and a cinema in Val Claret. Plus mountain biking on snow, dog sledding, snowshoeing, bungee trampolining and countless other activities are on offer in the resort, ensuring the whole family will be entertained throughout their trip to Tignes.

Mountain biking on snow

© andyparant.com

What else makes Tignes a great resort for family ski trips? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

Posted on Friday 16 Jun 2017

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