A Winter in Tignes: Skiing, Glaciers, and Activities Between Tignes Le Lac , and Val Claret

Tignes is made up of several villages, two of which are the main hubs of resort life: Tignes Le Lac and Tignes Val Claret. Montagnettes has two locations there with direct access to the slopes, le Taos and Ynycio. 

In Tignes Le Lac, home to le Taos, it’s easy to plan your days around skiing, a few shops, and a break in the sun on a terrace. In Val Claret, home to Ynycio, the atmosphere stays lively long after the slopes close, thanks to its restaurant Bazurto keeping the party going late into the night. 

The resort features 300 km of trails, 2 glaciers, 10,000 hectares, 76 ski lifts, and 2 snowparks, divided into 163 trails: 21 green, 67 blue, 41 red, 29 black, and 5 ski-touring routes. There’s enough to keep skiers of all levels busy throughout their stay. 

The Grande Motte glacier remains the highest point in the ski area. It takes just 7 minutes to reach via the Perce-Neige funicular and the cable car, where blue, red, and black runs wind their way back down to the valley. 

The Génépy run, in the Grande Motte area, is one of the longest blue runs in the ski area: 16.6 km all the way to Val Claret, passing right by Ynycio. 

For a more sheltered skiing experience in a wooded setting, head to Les Brévières: the blue runs Colchique and Myrtille are well-suited for skiers looking to take it easy, while the red runs Pavot and Chardons are geared toward more experienced skiers. Between high-altitude glaciers, valley-floor forests, and off-piste routes, there’s plenty to choose from throughout your stay. 

Beyond skiing, Tignes offers several ways to enjoy the snow with family or friends. Snow tubing in Val Claret can be enjoyed day or night, sliding down a dedicated run on a tube at speeds of up to 45 km/h; a children’s run allows kids as young as 3 to participate. 

The Snake Gliss offers a ride down on a toboggan train, where everyone can choose their seat: in the front to feel the speed more, or in the back for a more leisurely ride. 

As soon as the slopes close, it’s time for snow biking: you take the gondola up and then ride back down on deserted slopes—often at sunset—for an experience quite different from traditional skiing. 

Ynycio is home to the restaurant Bazurto, led by chef Juan Arbelaez. The menu features hearty South American cuisine: ceviche, empanadas, and delicious Argentine beef “ room ,” accompanied by a selection of Latin American spirits such as aguardiente, cachaça, and pisco. Service begins at 5 p.m. and continues late into the evening, turning après-ski into a full-fledged night out. 

In Val Claret as well, Ursus earned a Michelin star. Chef Clément Bouvier, who was trained in the kitchen from a young age by his grandparents and parents, opened his own restaurant in November 2017 after several years working alongside some of the biggest names in fine dining. His cuisine showcases Savoyard ingredients and regional traditions, making it a restaurant well worth setting aside an evening of your stay for. 

Altitude changes everything: above 2,000 meters, the sun beats down hard even in cold weather, and temperature differences between morning and afternoon can be significant. Good sunscreen, layers that are easy to take off, and lip balm quickly come in handy on the glacier slopes.