Tignes and Val d'Isere make up the vast ski area that is the Espace Killy. The winter lifts start to open on the last weekend in November; normally only a few lifts are open for the first week, with progressively more lifts opening as snow permits. The Espace Killy, and more specifically Tignes, has an excellent snow record. Due to it's location against the peaks of the Italian border, the Espace Killy tends to get a higher snow fall than in most other French Resorts. Its location protects it from Southerly and Easterly winds, so the snow tends to arrive early, and lasts for a long time. The season usually ends towards the start of May, when warm weather brings hikers, mountain bikers and climbers to the resort to enjoy what the summer has to offer.
Lift System in Tignes
Tignes and the Espace Killy are linked by a variety of different lifts. The lifts marked on the piste map using straight black lines are of four types; button tow/drag, chair, telecabine and telepherique. They have the corresponding abbreviations:
TK - téléski (drag)
TS - télésiege (chair)
TC - télécabine (gondola)
TPH - téléphérique (cable car)
For télécabine think bubble car and for téléphérique think cable car. Anything prefixed/suffixed with “Express” means a 6 person modern fast chair lift.
Tignes also has the Grande Motte Funicular, a high-speed inclined cable railway that leaves from Val Claret and takes skiers, hikers and sightseers up to the Grande Motte Glacier at 3032m. The journey of 3484m takes between 6-8 minutes and the 'funi' can carry up to 280 passengers at a time, which equates to 2500 people per hour when at full capacity. Funiculars operate on a kind of pulley system; the two trains are connected by long stretches of cable and travel along the same track (except for when they pass in the middle). The weight of the train travelling downhill assists the progress of the train travelling uphill, making it an energy-efficient mode of transport. The views from the funicular are spectacular and at the top you will find the Panoramic Restaurant, the Ice Caves, walking trails and a great ski area.
Opening & Closing Dates for Tignes Lifts - Winter 2009/2010
It is possible to ski in Tignes pretty much all year round courtesy of the Grande Motte Glacier. In 2009, it opens for the winter on Saturday 26th September with further lifts opening and the official start of the winter season on 28th November 2009.
The entire Tignes lift system, including the links over to Val d'Isere, are open from 19th December 2009 to 3rd May 2010 but it is usually possible to ski a reduced Tignes/Val area (inc. links) from the end of November.
It's worth noting that reduced rates are available on ski passes between 28th November to 18th December 2009 for those who can squeeze in a bit of pre-Christmas skiing!
You still have till the 2nd of May to enjoy espace killy pure sensations. And for those who need even more, Tignes’ ski area will remain open till the 9th of May!
Lift Access & Restrictions for Tignes Lift System - Winter
TIGNES LIFT ACCESS & RESTRICTIONS
Grand Motte Funicular
Grand Motte Cable Car
Aéroski (gondola) de Tovière
Télésiège (chairlift) de Palafour
Sache Cable Car
Wheelchair Access*
a
a
r
r
r
Paragliders/Parapente**
r
r
a
r
r
Pedestrians
a
a
a
a
a
Dogs***
a
r
a
a
a
Babies****
r
a
a
a
a
*During the winter season Tignes offers adaptive seats that enable use of the chairlifts, please enquire when booking. **Please see Tignes for Paragliding for more information. ***Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and are forbidden on the pistes during the ski season. ****It is not recommended to expose babies to sudden changes in altitude or temperature - if lift staff consider your child too young to travel on certain lifts they reserve the right to refuse you entry. Please see our Tips for Families & Kids section for advice.
NB The Tignes lifts can take you as high as 3500m (Grande Motte) and ascend rapidly. Please consult your doctor before arriving in resort if you have heart problems or any other medical problem that may be exacerbated by a change in altitude.
LIVE Piste & Lift Status in Tignes
Below is our speedy overview of what the current lift status is in the Tignes. The list summary is probably most useful if you already know the valley and the lift names. If you don't, you may also find the piste & lift map handy if you are less familiar with the area.
Tignes is made up of a number of small hamlets, each with its own local pistes all connected by the lift network. There is plenty here to keep you busy, but you can always venture further afield into the Espace Killy should you wish! The Espace Killy piste map shows the pistes and ski areas of both Val d'Isere and Tignes, and gives you a broad picture of how everything is linked. There's a whole load of skiing to be done in the Espace Killy area! For a more detailed map when you get on the mountain, pick up a paper copy of the piste maps from the lift company when you buy your pass.
Skinets Support Tool |
