Chalet Tignes

When people I met find out that I had two flats in Val D’Isere  some years years back they always asked me the same question. Why did you leave Val D’Isere to buy ski accommodation in Tignes?

The answer could be very very short. Tignes is a lot cheaper and a lot more fun than Val. You get more for your money, both when you buy or rent. But I suppose it is never that straight forward and there are many more reasons why I prefer Tignes to Val D’Isere. Here are a few:

1. Tignes got the better snow, better pistes and better off-piste. It is a well known fact that most serious skiers based in Val come over to Tignes to do most of their off-piste.
2. Tignes ski accommodation is lower cost across the board but still gives you access to the same ski resort ‘Espace Killy’ which connects Tignes and Val D’Isers
3. Tignes got a much wider valley base, is a lot more sun blessed and has more sun hours per day. Not so important for me, but for those who love late afternoon sun ski runs and afternoons on the terrace.
4. In general Tignes got more energy, with  skiing, boarding and sports in general at the centre of the ski resort’s agenda . Unlike Val D’Isere, which seems to be the hang out for old money, middle class skier and overpaid banker these days.
5. Tignes got an urban, built for purpose feel to the ski resort. Its business is skiing,  easy access, great facilities, great slopes and great lifts. Surely the village of Val (except La Dailles) looks prettier than Tignes, but if you are looking for pretty ski resorts don’t go to either and visit Austria or Switzerland instead.
6. Tignes got great none ski facilities including a massive public indoor pool, spa, gym and all of it overlooking stunning mountains.
7. Tignes got one of the best glaciers in the world (for skiing). If you ever done the run from the Grand Motte (3450m) all the way down to Val Claret you know what I mean. The glacier is open for skiing most of the year where Val is shut for seven months of the year.
8. Tignes got a lake. May be not the most important thing during the winter season as it is frozen and used as a short-cut between Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret. However it really adds to the atmosphere especially during the summer season. Great fro jogging or walking along the sore too.
9. Tignes got a vibrant summer season. Most famous for the glacier skiing on the Grand Motte used by many national ski teams to practice during the off season. However, I never ski in summer and tend to do some climbing, hiking, mountain biking and the odd tennis. Tignes got also a 18 hole golf course including the highest golf hole in Europe.   Tignes got enough summer visitors to make the place look alive but not too many so it still feels nice and relaxed. Restaurants and bars are open and there is enough to do for a 2 week holiday without getting bored. Val is dead in the summer and feels more like a ghost town.
10. Val D’Isere got some excellent and very expensive restaurant but some of the other nightlife feels more like a cheap night out on the Costa de Sol. Just think of Morris Pub, Dick’s and Pasific Bar and you get my point (Although I really like Cafe Face).  Tignes got some real gems. Reasonably priced, good and cosy restaurants hidden away underneath the 80th architecture. Some really cool bars with interesting people. I really like Tignes.

There are a lot of other thoughts I would have on Tignes, but may be for another post.

I suppose one more good thing about Tignes is that there are still French and other European ski holiday makers unlike Val D’Isere which is nowadays dominated by English (middel and upper class). For some people this might not be a bad thing. However I prefer a cultural mix and real people.

Tags: Tignes, Tignes holidays, Val D'Isere