A Beginner's Guide to Skiing in Tignes

A hugely popular resort, Tignes is a fantastic place for skiers of all abilities - including beginners.

It’s one of France’s most snow-sure ski resorts thanks to its very high altitude, and is also a gateway into more than 300km of slopes as part of the Espace Killy ski area, which it shares with neighbouring Val d’Isère.

Tignes is made up of various villages. Tignes Val Claret and Tignes Le Lac (sometimes known as Tignes 2100) are situated at the very top, with very quick access to the slopes and a livelier atmosphere.

Tignes Le Lavachet is a bit further down and is quieter and more family-friendly - the same can be said about Tignes Les Boisses (“Tignes 1800”) and Tignes Les Brévières (“Tignes 1550”).

(All prices and information are reflective of the 24-25 season).

In this beginner's guide, we answer:

• Is Tignes a good resort for beginners?
• Where to stay if you're a beginner in Tignes
• Is Tignes suitable for a first-time family ski holiday?
• Beginner skiing in Tignes
• How much do lift passes cost?
• Beginner access to bars and restaurants
• How much do ski lessons cost?
• Is there a beginner-friendly snow park?

Is Tignes a good resort for beginners?

Tignes is a great resort for beginner skiers, for many reasons.

There are several beginner zones (more detail on this later) where people learn how to ski - or refresh their memory - as well as a good amount of greens and blues to enjoy afterwards, while ski schools in the resort are very strong.

Tignes is largely one big bowl, meaning new skiers will easily be able to navigate the area.

The resort also makes certain lifts free for beginners (more detail on this later), while the après and restaurants are easily accessible.

Under 8s and over 74s also ski for free!

Read more:

St Anton is also a good resort for beginners - particularly those who want a very lively après experience!

Where to stay in Tignes if you’re a beginner

Beginners will most likely want to stay near the slopes to maximise your skiing time, and get to your 9am lessons quickly!

Luckily, most of Tignes’s villages are purpose built, meaning accommodation is quite often very near the slopes. This is especially true in Tignes Le Lac and Tignes Val Claret, which are the highest in altitude.

Tignes Le Lavachet, Tignes Les Boisses and Tignes Les Brévières tend to be more family-centric - or at least a quieter vibe - than Tignes Le Lac and Tignes Val Claret.

Hotel Tignes 2100

A great-value option, this hotel is part of a complex with lots of shops, cafes and bars - and also puts on a three-course dinner every night and hot and cold breakfasts. It's also not far from the slopes at all.

Show me Hotel Tignes 2100 ski holiday deals

Is Tignes suitable for a first-time family ski holiday?

Tignes is definitely suitable for a first-time family ski holiday. While you can stay in any of the villages, if you want a really peaceful atmosphere then stay down in Tignes Les Boisses, Tignes Le Lavachet or Tignes Les Brévières - adults wanting to go out generally opt for Tignes Le Lac or Tignes Val Claret.

Tignes has lots of great ski schools (we’ll get into that later) as well as a good selection of nursery areas for the very young ones.

Indeed, you can visit the indoor swimming complex (Le Lagon) which has a waterfall, slides and a toddler zone, as well as adult areas with a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and fitness area. There’s also a bouldering wall, trampolines, tennis, badminton and squash courts.

Tignes also has a spa, plenty of lovely restaurants, a local market on Thursdays and Sundays and a cinema which shows English films (look out for ‘VO’, meaning ‘version originale’).

Have a read of all the non-ski activities you can get up to in Tignes.

Club Med Tignes

In the heart of Tignes Val Claret, this all-inclusive hotel welcomes families and provides lift passes and group lessons, as well as a huge range of in-house entertainment. There's also a swimming pool, wellness area and fitness and yoga rooms for the parents.

Show me Club Med Tignes ski holiday deals

Read more:

Want a quieter resort instead? Check out our beginner's guide to La Rosière.

Beginner skiing in Tignes

Each of the various Tignes villages has a section where there is a very shallow gradient that absolute beginners can learn on, or people who need a refresher can use.

They’re all very easy to get to from wherever you may be staying in each village:

In Tignes Val Claret, there is a magic carpet lift (called “Claret”) and very short chairlift (“Bollin”) with an adjoining children’s beginner ski area. This is found at the bottom of the “Fresse” chairlift.

In Tignes Le Lac, there is also a magic carpet (“Centre”) and peaceful space alongside it where anyone can practise - easily found in the main hub at the bottom of all the lifts.

You’ll also find a magic carpet (technically 2 directly in a row - “1800-1” and “1800-2”) in Tignes Les Boisses with a similar shallow gradient - found next to the bottom of the “Boisses” gondola.

And finally, in Tignes Les Brévières, there is a small drag lift (“Grande Pareï”) which can be used. This is found just next to the bottom of the “Brévières” gondola.

There are also a couple of new magic carpets planned for Tignes Le Lavachet - these should be in place for the 2025-26 season.

These are the absolute easiest skiing areas of the various villages in Tignes.

Where to head when you’re ready to explore Tignes

There is plenty of skiing to be done once you’ve got the hang of the beginner areas mentioned above. The ideal transition is tackling as many greens as you can, and then blues, then reds.

If you’re in Tignes Val Claret, a good place to progress onto would be up the “Fresse” or “Tufs” chairlifts, and down the “Prariond” or “Henri” blue runs respectively - both of which finish at the greens that you’ll have done which double up as the beginner area.

There are also blues leading back to Val Claret village from the top of the Tichot and Grattalu chairlifts on the other side of the bowl.

In Tignes Le Lac, there is a small network of green runs towards Le Lavachet, while you could also take the “Palafour” and “Aiguille Percée” chairlifts, which have various blue runs winding back towards town.

From Tignes Les Boisses, you can take the winding Myrtilles green run down through the forest to Tignes Les Brévières. Down here though, the only way is up; get the Brévières and Boisses gondolas and Aiguille Rouge chairlift to reach the Le Lac area.

(Remember though, to get back to Les Brévières, you’ll have to take the Boisses gondola down - the only skiing down is on reds).

The above information is specific to the Tignes side of the Espace Killy. If you’ve got a lift pass that covers both Tignes and Val d’Isère, then you could ski over to the Val d’Isère side from the top of the “Fresse” chairlift down the “Fresse” green, then take the “Borsat” chairlift up, where 3 long green runs await.

Once you’re happy on blues, then you can venture onto the reds. Remember, it’s always up to you whether you think you can tackle a piste, so make sure you’re confident enough!

How much do lift passes cost in Tignes?

2025-26 lift pass prices have not yet been released - the following are 2024-25 prices.

A 1-day adult (19-64) lift pass covering just the Tignes area cost €66 a day, with seniors (65-74) and children (8-18) paying €55. There was only a 1-day option.

A 1-day adult lift pass for the entire Espace Killy (both Tignes and Val d’Isère) cost €71, with seniors and children paying €59.

A 6-day pass is €426 for adults, and €354 for children and seniors. It is also automatically valid for a 7th day - meaning if transfers work out, you could also squeeze in some skiing on your arrival or departure day.

Is there a free lift pass for Tignes?

Yes - children under the age of 8 and seniors over the age of 74 can ski for free.

There are also free lifts for beginners in every Tignes village - we’ll get into that below.

Is there a discounted lift pass for beginners?

Even better than discounted - there are free lifts for beginners in each of Tignes’s villages.

There are 9 overall.

In Tignes Val Claret, this is the “Claret” magic carpet and short “Bollin” chairlift, which serve a couple of easy green runs that double up as the beginner area.

In Tignes Le Lac, there is the “Centre” magic carpet which absolute newbies practise next to, as well as the “Lavachet” drag lift and “Rosset” chairlift, which both serve some easy greens. There is also the “Almes” chairlift which serves some nice blues.

In Tignes Les Boisses, there are the “1800-1” and “1800-2” magic carpets.

And in Tignes Les Brévières there is the “Grande Pareï” drag lift which serves a blue or green.

Are Tignes après bars and restaurants accessible to beginner skiers?

Yes, a good number of Tignes’s main après bars and restaurants are accessible to beginner skiers.

The classic après-ski institution Folie Douce is not the easiest for absolute beginners from Tignes - you have to be on skis, and it means several runs and chairlifts there and back. If you’re determined to tick it off your list but aren’t comfortable on skis, then get the bus round to the La Daille section of Val d’Isère and take the gondola up. You can walk over from here.

Other après bars are pretty much all down in the various villages. You can head to Cocorico which is opposite the Perce Neige funicular entrance in Val Claret, and puts on live bands and DJs - it’s open air, but has heaters at the side. The busy crowds (and inevitable dancing!) will keep you warm, too - although there is an inside section where the bar and toilets are.

Tignes Le Lac is pretty strong for bars, too. Loop Bar is a favourite - it stays open most of the night and puts on live bands a couple of times a week, while also having a basement club directly underneath.

Have a read of our guide to the top après and nightlife in Tignes for even more details.

Meanwhile, mountain restaurants tend to be very accessible for beginners in Tignes. There is Le Palet at the top of the Tichot chairlift which is a blue away from Tignes Val Claret, while Lo Soli is at the top of the Chaudannes chairlift and has amazing views - and is a blue away from Tignes Le Lac.

You could also go to La Tovière restaurant at the top of the Tovière gondola. It is a winding blue back to Tignes Val Claret, or you can simply hop back on the gondola to Tignes Le Lac.

Folie Douce also puts on a canteen-style lunch - although remember that it’s in the Val d’Isère side, so you’ll need a full Espace Killy lift pass.

How much do ski lessons cost in Tignes?

Tignes is one of France’s most established ski resorts, so it’s got no shortage of ski schools. Below are just some of names you can get lessons with, but there are plenty more beyond - our sales team can help you sort these out.

Remember, prices might change - but if you book with us, you’ll be getting a good deal thanks to our impartial expert sales team.

Beginners start lessons by warming up and getting used to new equipment, before moving onto basic technique, then building up speed and control - hopefully it won’t take long before you’re on the slopes with your friends.

Is there a beginner-friendly snow park in Tignes?

Yes, two!

Head over towards the Val Claret end of the Tignes bowl and aim for the Grattalu blue slope. Adjacent to this, there are 2 snow parks. One is definitely for experts, but the other has been designed for less experienced skiers to enjoy - known as the Swatch Snowpark.

There is also a beginner snow park underneath the Palafour chairlift in Tignes Le Lac. This is called the Gliss’Park.

Overall, is Tignes a good choice for beginners?

Yes, Tignes is a great choice for beginners.

The free lifts are a really useful way to save money for first-timers, while its huge and varied ski network is brilliant for beginners.

There are loads of top ski schools in the resort, plus a wide choice of accommodation in Tignes’s various villages.

Book your Beginner Ski Holiday to Tignes

If Tignes could be the beginner ski resort for you, then let us help you sort out your perfect ski holiday.

We’re the UK’s largest ski travel agency and have been doing it for more than 26 years - our expert ski team have all done seasons in the mountain, and we really know our stuff.

Have a look at our top Tignes ski holiday deals, or get in touch with us and we’ll help you find whatever you’re looking for - whether it’s a specific type of resort, accommodation, or anything else to do with skiing.

If nothing quite takes your fancy, then call us up and take advantage of our tailor-made ski holiday offer, in which we’ll put together exactly what you want - even if it’s not on our website!

And if you’ve been put in charge of a group ski holiday but you’re not sure where to start, then have a read of our group booking guide, which will point you in the right direction.