The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Tignes operates across 1550 to 3456 metres, delivering 150 kilometres of marked runs and a vertical drop of 1906 metres. The Grande Motte glacier reaches 3656 metres and guarantees skiing from late November through to early May, with summer sessions running from late June to mid-July. Combined with neighbouring Val d'Isère, the Tignes–Val d'Isère ski area offers 300 kilometres of piste served by 78 lifts across over 10,000 hectares of skiable terrain. The resort hosted freestyle skiing at the 1992 Winter Olympics and remains a training base for national ski teams.
Tignes divides terrain into 57% beginner, 25% intermediate, 10% advanced and 8% expert, though grading runs above 2100 metres elevation. The 10-kilometre La Sache black run descends through the Vallon de la Sache to Les Brévières, whilst the Grande Motte sector provides wide glacier bowls and red runs from 3456 metres. The Aiguille Percée area features the natural rock arch accessed via the Palafour chairlift, and the Tovière sector connects directly to Val d'Isère via gondola. Two terrain parks operate at the Grattalu chairlift, alongside boardercross and mogul training zones.
Five villages form the resort: Val Claret sits at 2100 metres with direct funicular access to the glacier, Tignes Le Lac operates as the main hub at 2100 metres, Le Lavachet lies between the two, Les Boisses sits at 1800 metres, and Les Brévières occupies the valley floor at 1550 metres. Purpose-built architecture dominates the upper villages, prioritising ski-in ski-out access over Alpine charm, though recent redevelopment has softened the 1960s concrete blocks. Free shuttle buses link all villages until midnight, and 113 snow cannons cover 50 kilometres of piste.
A joint Tignes–Val d'Isère pass costs €48 to €71 per day for adults in the 2025-26 season, whilst Tignes-only passes run €38 to €55. Season passes cost €1299 for the combined area. Children under 8 and seniors over 75 ski free, and the Ski Start beginner programme offers three progression levels with free lifts on initial stages. The resort suits confident intermediates and experts seeking high-altitude terrain, with glacier access extending the season well beyond typical French Alps closures.
1906m
Vertical
80
Runs
150 km
Piste
8m
Annual snow
The Terrain
80 runs across 150 km of piste
Tignes spreads 80 runs across 150 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 57%, with 46 beginner runs to find your feet and 14 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
80
runs
80 runs across 4 grades
Beginner46 runs · 57%
Intermediate20 runs · 25%
Advanced8 runs · 10%
Expert6 runs · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Tignes
The 2025-26 season runs from 22 November 2025 to 3 May 2026, spanning 163 days. The Grande Motte glacier opens first with 20 kilometres of piste, then the full Tignes–Val d'Isère link opens from 29 November once lower sectors receive sufficient snow cover. Summer skiing operates from 21 June to 20 July 2026, offering 700 metres of vertical on the glacier with six lifts accessing 20 kilometres of groomed runs. The resort typically reopens in mid-October for autumn glacier skiing before the winter season begins.
Annual snowfall averages around 8 metres at 2100 metres, with over half the ski area lying above 2500 metres and the glacier providing permanent snow cover above 3000 metres. The resort's position against the Italian border captures both Atlantic depressions and Mediterranean low-pressure systems, delivering reliable accumulation from December through April. Snowmaking covers 50 kilometres of piste through 113 cannons, though natural snow depth at 2100 metres typically exceeds 2 metres by mid-season.
January and February deliver the coldest temperatures and most consistent powder, with the highest villages often registering well below freezing. March offers the sweet spot of long daylight hours, stable snow and warming temperatures, whilst April and early May provide spring corn conditions on south-facing slopes and maintained coverage on the glacier. December can see limited terrain until Christmas, and late November relies almost entirely on glacier skiing.
Winter Fest runs 11-13 January 2026 with snowboard film premieres and exhibitions, the FIS Para Alpine Skiing World Cup visits 2-6 February, and the French Alpine Ski Championships occupy 30 March to 8 April. European Snowpride takes place 21-28 March, and Spring Break programming fills 18 April to 3 May. The Live in Tignes music festival traditionally closes the season in early May with performances across multiple stages.
Season 2025 - 2026
22 Nov 2025
Opens
3 May 2026
Closes
162
Days open
8 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Tignes, and where to stay
Tignes sits in the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie department of south-eastern France, 30 kilometres from Bourg-Saint-Maurice at the upper end of the Isère valley. The main villages occupy a natural cirque at 2100 metres, enclosed by the Grande Motte massif at 3656 metres, the Grande Casse at 3852 metres, and surrounding peaks forming the gateway to Vanoise National Park. The original village lies submerged beneath Lac du Chevril following construction of the Tignes Dam in 1952, with the dramatic concrete wall now painted with a Hercules fresco visible on the approach road.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice serves as the nearest major town, sitting 30 kilometres and 40 minutes down the valley with supermarkets, a TGV station and the regional hospital. Moutiers lies 45 kilometres north along the N90, whilst Albertville sits 80 kilometres distant at the junction of major Alpine valleys. Val d'Isère occupies the next valley 12 kilometres to the south, connected by lift and piste throughout the ski season. The wider Tarentaise Valley contains Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Trois Vallées within an hour's drive.
The N90 from Albertville and Moutiers provides the sole road access via Bourg-Saint-Maurice, climbing 1000 metres over 30 kilometres of switchbacks with spectacular views of the dam and valley. Geneva Airport lies 220 kilometres and approximately three hours west via the A40 autoroute to Annecy then the N90 through Albertville, with transfer times extending to four hours during Saturday changeover traffic. Chambéry Airport sits 143 kilometres and two hours south via the A43 and N90, offering the shortest airport transfer.
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport lies 220 kilometres and three hours southeast, whilst Grenoble sits 164 kilometres and three hours southwest. Bourg-Saint-Maurice railway station receives direct TGV services from Paris in five hours and weekend Eurostar connections from London via Lyon, with local buses covering the final 30 kilometres to resort in 40-60 minutes. Altibus operates year-round bus services from the station to all five Tignes villages, with tickets costing €12 for adults and departures coordinated with train arrivals.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Tignes, powered by Stay22.
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Tignes Lift Tickets
Tignes lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Tignes closed on May 3, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from €15, with peak rates up to €71.
11 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 19–64
Adult Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily
€48up to €71 peak
Full Espace Killy access to Tignes and Val d'Isère with 300km of slopes and 2 glaciers. France's premier high-altitude skiing from 1550m to 3456m elevation.
Buy passAdult 19–64
Adult Tignes Valley Only
€38up to €55 peak
Local Tignes area pass covering Tovière, Palafour, Chardonnet, and Grande Motte glacier. More affordable option for those staying in Tignes village areas.
Buy passChild 8–13
Child Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily
€40up to €60 peak
Children's access to Espace Killy ski area with Tignes and Val d'Isère. Family glacier skiing in France with extensive beginner terrain and ski schools.
Buy passYouth 14–18
Youth Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily
€40up to €60 peak
Youth rates for Espace Killy featuring world-class terrain parks and off-piste. Teen skiing across Tignes-Val d'Isère with glacier access year-round.
Buy passChild 0–7
Child (Under 8)
Free
Free skiing for children under 8 at Tignes-Val d'Isère. Complimentary access to France's premier glacier skiing with family-friendly facilities and instruction.
Buy passSenior 65–74
Senior Tignes-Val d'Isère Daily
€40up to €60 peak
Senior discounts for Espace Killy glacier skiing. Explore Tignes-Val d'Isère's 300km of slopes with reduced pricing for ages 65-74 in French Alps.
Buy passSenior 75–99
Senior (75+)
Free
Free skiing for seniors 75+ at Tignes-Val d'Isère. Complimentary access to Espace Killy's glacier skiing and high-altitude French Alpine terrain.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 19–64
Beginner One-Ride Pass
€15up to €18 peak
Single lift ride for beginners at Tignes-Val d'Isère including access to ValKids play area. Perfect introduction to French glacier skiing with gentle terrain.
Buy passMulti-day passes
Adult 19–64
6-Day Espace Killy (6=7 Deal)
€265up to €395 peak
Six-day Tignes-Val d'Isère pass gets 7th day free plus 2 aquasports center entries. Best value for week-long glacier skiing holidays in French Alps.
Buy passAdult 8–64
Family Pass (4+ People)
€235up to €355 peak
Family discount of €280 off total for 4+ passes of same duration including 2+ adults and 2+ children. Savings for families exploring Espace Killy together.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 19–64
Season Pass Espace Killy
€1,299
Unlimited access to Tignes-Val d'Isère all season with pool entries and Ski à la Carte network discounts. Premium glacier skiing in France's Tarentaise Valley.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Tignes day pass cost?
Tignes day passes range from €15 to €71 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Tignes lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Tignes lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Tignes, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Tignes lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Tignes - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Tignes lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Tignes offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Tignes directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Tignes.
More Tignes intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.