feefo five star review “Such a simple and complete service.” -View More

feefo five star review Book now for Winter 26/27 ski holidays in over 70 French Alps resorts.View More

Feefo Logo
ABTA
HEADER-Val Claret Tignes (©Studio_Bergoend)-2000px.webp
Resort Guide

Tignes Val Claret

France | Tarentaise

High-altitude ski hub with unbeatable glacier access

Tignes Val Claret is the highest and most ski-focused village in Tignes, offering direct access to the slopes and glacier terrain.

Set at the foot of the Grande Motte glacier, it provides fast access to high-altitude skiing, ensuring excellent snow conditions throughout the season.

With a lively atmosphere, strong après-ski scene and unbeatable ski convenience, it’s perfect for keen skiers who want to maximise time on the mountain in one of the Alps’ most snow-sure resorts.

Tignes Val Claret Quick Facts

  • Ski area: Tarentaise
  • Resort height: 2300m
  • Resort top height: 3456m
  • Km piste: 300
  • Distance from Calais: 625 miles (approx. 9h30)
  • Lift pass: ££££
  • No. of slopes: 176
  • Green slopes: 24
  • Blue slopes: 67
  • Red slopes: 46
  • Black slopes: 32
  • Beginners:
  • Intermediate:
  • Expert:
  • Boarders:
Highlights

Highest village in Tignes with direct access to glacier skiing terrain

Fastest lift links to explore the full Tignes Val d'Isère area

Exceptionally snow-sure thanks to altitude and glacier access

Lively après-ski and nightlife ideal for sociable groups

Wide range of skiing for beginners through to expert off-piste

Purpose-built layout prioritises skiing over traditional alpine charm

Resort

Everything you need to know about Tignes Val Claret

Discover Tignes Val Claret beyond the basics, from the resort atmosphere to the best skiing and après activities.

  • High-altitude, ski-in ski-out convenience throughout the village

  • Lively and sociable with strong après-ski and nightlife

  • Purpose-built feel focused on practicality rather than charm

High-altitude convenience and access

Tignes Val Claret sits at the top of the resort at around 2,300m and offers some of the best ski-in ski-out access in the Alps. It is the closest village to the Grande Motte glacier, making it the ideal base for early lifts and quick access to high-altitude terrain.

Everything is built around skiing, with lifts, accommodation and facilities all within easy reach.

Lively and energetic atmosphere

This is one of the busiest and most energetic areas of Tignes. It attracts keen skiers, groups of friends and those looking for a vibrant social scene.

Après-ski is a key part of the experience, with bars, restaurants and clubs creating a lively atmosphere well into the evening.

Practical but less traditional

Val Claret is purpose-built, meaning it lacks the traditional charm of alpine villages like Tignes Les Brévières. However, what it loses in aesthetics, it makes up for in convenience.

For many visitors, easy access to lifts, shops and nightlife makes it one of the most efficient and enjoyable bases in Tignes.

  • Direct access to over 300km of pistes in Tignes Val d'Isère

  • Glacier skiing up to 3,456m with exceptional snow reliability

  • Huge variety of terrain for all abilities

Beginners

Beginners benefit from structured Ski Start progression zones and free lifts across Tignes, including Val Claret. Gentle areas allow for safe learning, while clear progression routes help build confidence.

Once ready, beginners can access wider slopes and even experience high-altitude skiing earlier than in many resorts, with scenic blue runs at over 3,000m.

Intermediates

Intermediate skiers are extremely well catered for. From Val Claret, you can access a vast network of blue and red runs across the entire ski area.

The Grande Motte glacier is a highlight, offering high-altitude cruising with reliable snow and wide-open pistes. The fast lift system makes it easy to explore across multiple sectors in a single day.

Advanced

Advanced skiers will find some of the best terrain in the Alps. The area offers steep black runs, challenging descents and extensive off-piste opportunities.

Naturide areas provide ungroomed terrain, while glacier routes and long valley descents offer serious vertical and technical variety. Off-piste is extensive, but a guide is recommended.

Mountain fun zones

Tignes Val Claret is home to the resort’s main snowpark, offering features for all levels from beginners to experts. There are also boardercross areas and fun runs with tunnels and features designed for all ages.

Nordic skiing

Around 44km of cross-country trails are available across the resort, including scenic routes between Val Claret and Tignes Le Lac.

  • Huge range of activities across the wider Tignes resort

  • Strong mix of adrenaline, family and scenic experiences

  • Excellent facilities for non-skiers and mixed groups

Adrenaline and mountain experiences

Tignes Val Claret gives easy access to a wide range of high-energy activities either in Val Claret itself or from nearby Tignes le Lac, including snowmobiling and paragliding.

The high-altitude setting makes it an ideal base for exploring beyond the pistes, whether by foot, ski or in the air.

Family-friendly activities

There are plenty of options for families including sledging, snowtubing and interactive fun zones.

Activities are spread across the resort, but all are easily accessible from Val Claret thanks to the lift system and transport links.

Leisure and wellness

Indoor facilities across Tignes include the Le Lagon aquatic centre and the Tignespace sports complex, both just down the road in Tignes le Lac.

These offer a welcome break from skiing, whether you want to relax or stay active on rest days.

  1. Lively après-ski scene with wide choice of bars and clubs

  2. Huge range of restaurants across all styles and budgets

  3. Excellent access to shops and services within walking distance

Dining options

Val Claret offers a wide range of dining choices, from casual eateries to high-altitude restaurants on the mountain.

You’ll find traditional Savoyard dishes alongside international cuisine, with plenty of options to suit all budgets.

Après-ski and nightlife

This is one of the main après-ski hubs in Tignes. Bars, terraces and clubs create a vibrant atmosphere from late afternoon into the night.

For even more options, nearby Tignes Le Lac is easily accessible, and of course for afternoon après, the famous Folie Douce is easy to find on the slopes in Val d'Isère (you'll hear the music before you see it!).

Shops and essentials

The village has a full range of shops including supermarkets, bakeries, ski hire and sports stores.

Everything is close together, making it easy to organise your stay without needing transport.

Location

Tignes Val Claret resort PDF maps

Tignes Val Claret location map

What3words: ///whirlwind.raspberries.washes
FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Tignes Val Claret

Is Tignes Val Claret good for beginners? plus icon minus icon

Yes, Tignes Val Claret is good for beginners thanks to structured Ski Start zones and access to free lifts for learning. Progression is excellent, allowing beginners to quickly move onto wider slopes and even access high-altitude terrain once confident.

Is Tignes Val Claret good for intermediate skiers? plus icon minus icon

Tignes Val Claret is an excellent base for intermediates. With direct access to the Tignes Val d'Isère ski area, you can explore a huge variety of blue and red runs. The lift system is efficient, making it easy to ski across different sectors each day.

Is Tignes Val Claret suitable for advanced skiers? plus icon minus icon

Yes, it is ideal for advanced skiers. The area offers steep black runs, glacier skiing and extensive off-piste terrain. Naturide runs and long descents provide plenty of challenge, making it one of the top destinations in the Alps for experienced skiers.

How big is the Tignes Val Claret ski area? plus icon minus icon

Tignes Val Claret sits within the Tignes Val d'Isère ski area, which offers over 300km of pistes. The terrain is varied and expansive, including glacier skiing and multiple interconnected sectors.

Is Tignes Val Claret snow-sure? plus icon minus icon

Yes, it is one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Alps. With skiing up to 3,456m and access to the Grande Motte glacier, conditions are reliable throughout the season, supported by snowmaking where needed.

Is Tignes Val Claret good for families? plus icon minus icon

Tignes Val Claret can suit families, particularly those focused on skiing. However, its lively atmosphere and nightlife mean quieter resorts like Tignes 1800 or Les Brévières may be better suited to younger children.

Are lift passes in Tignes Val Claret pre-bookable? plus icon minus icon

Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us. These give access to the full Tignes Val d'Isère ski area, including all linked resorts and glacier skiing. There are also free beginner lifts available in some areas.

Can I pre-book ski hire in Tignes Val Claret? plus icon minus icon

Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us. We select a shop close to your accommodation, so collection is easy. Pre-booking ensures your equipment is ready on arrival and helps avoid queues during busy times.

Can I pre-book ski school in Tignes Val Claret? plus icon minus icon

Yes, the ESF French ski school can be pre-booked with us, for group lessons for adults and children from the age of 3. Lessons take place in dedicated beginner areas and follow structured progression programmes. Private lessons are also available through us.

Blog

Client Review: Tignes December 2023

Our loyal client and her family headed to Tignes in December 2023, read all about it below!

Peak Retreats

|

7th Mar, 2024

Orange arrow

Blog

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.

Peak Retreats

|

10th Jan, 2023

Orange arrow

Blog

The Inside Track: April Skiing in Tignes

Our team headed to Tignes on our team trip in April 2025. Read all about our trip including where we stayed, where we skied, what we ate and where you could stay too. 

Peak Retreats

|

6th May, 2025

Orange arrow

Blog

Client Review: Half term holiday in Tignes

Read client review from Emilie, who enjoyed a fun-filled skiing holiday in Tignes 1800 with her family during February half-term!

Peak Retreats

|

8th Mar, 2019

Orange arrow
Searching for your perfect ski holiday
Let's Encrypt Logo
Secure online booking with total financial protection