Hey ski lovers, you'll go wild for these epic slopes
Strap on thoes skis, snow bunnies. Tignes is a group of 5 villages high in the French Alps and just a ski lift away from the Italian border. Tignes and nearby Val d'Isere make up the Espace Killy ski area, which features 186 miles of glorious pistes (ski runs). Its high altitude means year-round slopes for skiiers and boarders of all levels, but the lively area offers plenty of non-snow options too. With Tignes vacation rentals, you can find charming Alpine-style villages with cute shops, cozy lodging, and hearty restaurants, as well as stunning views of the 12,000-foot Grande Motte glacier.
Tons of fun attractions make the great outdoors even greater
Lac de Tignes is a beautiful aqua lake that's perfect for watersports like kayaking in the summer, but a tad chilly for swimming. You can swim at Le Lagon, an indoor pool complex with diving areas and a water slide that's adjacent to the lake. Check out Solaise Gondola at nearby Val d'Isere for some skiing. If you don't mind heights, take the aerial tramway to the top of Grande Motte glacier. The crystal waters of Lac du Chevril, surrounded by soaring mountains, are a beautiful sight, and while you're there, check out the awesome 600-foot Tignes Dam.
You'll find a flurry of activities on these snowy mountains
Whether you're a snowboarder or skiier, or a newbie or a pro, a Tignes vacation rental will have a slope for you, with the many ski-in and ski-out accommodations that are available. But the fun doesn't end with snow. The city has spas, hiking/biking trails, golf courses, and a cool cable car that'll take you to the top of Grande Motte glacier. If you're feeling brave, try paragliding. And you'll be hungry after all of this activity, so hit one of the lively restaurants for some fill-you-up food like hearty fondue, crusty bread, and hot chocolate.
Baby, it's cold outside, but the lively atmostphere is warm
There's a chill in the air year-round, with temps averaging 35 degrees, but the lively atmosphere will warm you. July is the hottest month, but even then, the thermometer rarely hits 70. January sees the coldest temps, which are usually in the 20s. The lake freezes in the winter and ample snowfall, plus a number of snow cannons, ensure year-round, ski-ready slopes. In the summer, the snow melts on the lower mountain slopes to make way for lush green vegetation. There's also some serious rainfall here, even in the dry summer months.
Walk in a winter wonderland of snow-covered slopes
The mountains in the Tignes range from 5,000 to 12,000 feet. That's a big ol' elevation change, so be a smarty and allow yourself a day or 2 to acclimate when you book a Tignes vacation rental. And here's a fun geographical fact: the original village of Tignes is buried under Lac du Chevril. After a lot of controversy, the village was submerged in the 1950s to create the Tignes dam for the Isere valley. Tignes is in Vanoise National Park, which is home to wolves, lynx, marmots, and many rare birds.