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The Inside Track: Why we love skiing in Tignes and Val d'Isère
Tignes and Val d’Isère feel like big hitting resorts with a heart; exploring and rediscovering the ski area reminded us what’s so special about this huge domain.
Tignes 1800 combines a calm village atmosphere with access to one of the Alps’ most extensive ski areas.
Set below the main Tignes centres, it offers a quieter, family-focused base while still linking seamlessly into the huge Tignes Val d'Isère ski area.
Direct access to vast Tignes Val d'Isère high-altitude ski area
Quiet, modern village with a relaxed and family-focused atmosphere
Excellent beginner area located directly within the village centre
Reliable snow conditions thanks to glacier and high-altitude terrain
Ski-in ski-out convenience across most accommodation in the resort
Limited nightlife locally but easy access to livelier nearby villages
Discover Tignes 1800 beyond the basics, from the skiing to the resort atmosphere and activities.
Modern, purpose-built village with quiet, family-focused atmosphere
Compact layout with everything close to lifts and accommodation
Peaceful alternative to busier Tignes villages higher up the mountain
Tignes 1800 offers a more relaxed and peaceful base compared to the busier villages of Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret. Designed as a newer development, it provides a calm, family-friendly environment without sacrificing access to world-class skiing. It is built around a replica of the church that stood in the village that was flooded to create the Tignes hydro-electric dam.
Set on a sunny slope, it has a welcoming feel that suits families and those wanting a slower pace after skiing.
The village is well laid out, centred around small squares with shops, a restaurant or two and ski school all within walking distance. There is one mini-market, a Spar that receives good reviews particularly for its deli counter. Ski-in ski-out access makes daily life effortless, allowing you to start and finish your day right at your accommodation.
Free shuttle buses connect you easily to the rest of Tignes, giving flexibility without needing a car.
Everything in Tignes 1800 has been developed with convenience in mind. From ski school and beginner slopes to shops and services, everything is close at hand.
It’s particularly appealing for families who want a stress-free base with access to one of the Alps’ largest ski areas.
Tignes 1800 is one of the best bases for beginners in the Tignes area. A large, dedicated beginner zone is located directly in the village, with gentle slopes and free lifts to help build confidence.
Progression is smooth, with easy access via gondola to wider beginner-friendly terrain across the ski area. Uniquely, beginners can quickly access high-altitude slopes and enjoy real mountain skiing earlier than in many resorts.
Intermediate skiers are exceptionally well catered for. The Tignes Val d'Isère area offers an huge network of blue and red runs, ideal for long cruising days.
Wide pistes and efficient lifts make it easy to explore, with enough variety to ski somewhere new every day. The glacier terrain adds even more options, particularly for confident intermediates.
Advanced skiers have access to some of the best terrain in the Alps. From steep black runs to extensive off-piste, there is plenty of challenge.
Naturide areas offer ungroomed slopes, while iconic descents such as long valley runs and glacier routes provide serious vertical and technical skiing.
There are numerous fun zones across the wider area, including snowparks, boardercross and family-friendly fun runs with tunnels and features. These add variety and are suitable for all levels.
Around 44km of cross-country trails are available across Tignes and Val d’Isère, mostly on flatter terrain around the lake and valley floor.
Wide range of activities across the full Tignes resort
Great choice for families and non-skiers
A mix of adventure and relaxation options
Tignes offers a huge variety of winter activities across all its villages including snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and ice driving.
The surrounding high-mountain landscape makes it ideal for exploring, whether you prefer gentle scenic outings or adrenaline-filled experiences.
Families have plenty to enjoy beyond skiing, with sledging areas, snowtubing and fun zones designed for children.
Many of these are easily accessible from the village or nearby areas, making it easy to mix skiing with other activities.
Tignes has excellent indoor facilities including the Le Lagon aquatic centre in Tignes le Lac, spa areas and sports complexes.
These are perfect for relaxing after skiing or enjoying a break from the slopes, especially in poor weather. Many of our properties in Tignes 1800 also feature a swimming pool and wellness area meaning you can enjoy these facilities closer to home.
Limited but convenient local options in Tignes 1800
Extensive choice available across the wider Tignes resort
Easy access to lively après-ski in nearby higher villages
Tignes 1800 only has a couple of restaurants offering both traditional Savoyard dishes and casual dining. However, you can take the shuttle bus or the Brevières gondola down to the traditional village of Tignes les Brevières (just below at 1550m). On selected evenings, this runs into the evening, meaning you could try the bars and restaurants there.
Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and suits those who prefer quiet evenings close to their accommodation.
Après-ski in Tignes 1800 is very low-key, it's more about enjoying time together in your apartment and making your own entertainment.
For a livelier experience, Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret offer a bars, clubs and entertainment, all easily reached by shuttle.
The village has essential shops including a supermarket, bakery and ski hire outlets.
For a wider range of shops and services, the other Tignes villages provide extensive options within easy reach.
Yes, Tignes 1800 is excellent for beginners. It offers a large beginner area right in the village, with free lifts and structured progression zones. This makes learning convenient and stress-free. Beginners can quickly progress to wider slopes and even experience high-altitude skiing within the Tignes Val d'Isère area.
Tignes 1800 is an outstanding base for intermediates. The wider Tignes Val d'Isère ski area provides extensive blue and red runs with plenty of variety. Intermediates can explore different sectors every day, enjoy long cruising runs and benefit from reliable snow conditions at high altitude.
Yes, advanced skiers will be very well catered for. The Tignes Val d'Isère area offers challenging black runs, off-piste terrain and glacier skiing. There is a huge amount of variety, making it one of the top destinations in the Alps for strong skiers.
Tignes 1800 provides access to the Tignes Val d'Isère ski area, which offers over 300km of pistes. The terrain spans multiple sectors and includes glacier skiing, making it one of the largest and most varied ski areas in Europe.
Yes, Tignes as a whole is known for excellent snow reliability. The ski area reaches over 3,456m and includes glacier skiing, ensuring good conditions throughout the season. Snowmaking also supports the lower slopes that lead back to Tignes 1800.
Tignes 1800 is very family-friendly. The resort was designed with families in mind, offering easy access to ski school, beginner slopes and essential facilities. Its quiet atmosphere and compact layout make it easy to manage with children.
Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us and provide access to the full Tignes Val d'Isère ski area. This gives you complete freedom to explore both Tignes and Val d'Isère. There are also free beginner lifts available in some areas. Pre-booking Tignes Val d'Isère lift passes is recommended to save time and avoid queues on arrival as we'll post these out to you before your holiday in most cases.
Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us. There are ski hire shops within Tignes 1800 itself, making collection quick and convenient. Pre-booking ensures your equipment is ready on arrival and helps avoid busy in-resort queues.
Yes, ski lessons for children and adults with the ESF French ski school can be pre-booked with us. In Tignes 1800, these start from the age of 3. Lessons take place in dedicated beginner areas, which are safe and well organised for learning. Private lessons can also be arranged through us.
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