We took the unusual decision to ski during half term this year, but it was worth it to be able to spend the week with Saskia and Nick.
Tignes is a great destination, with plenty to do at all levels. Tons of pistes, tons of non-groomed slopes and a good number of lift assisted off-piste adventures. Although it was very busy, we had fun tracking our progresss on Strava, notching up the kilometres, and the speed. We set ourselves the challenge of skiing 100km in one day. This isn’t too hard, but you do have to watch for the bottle-neck lifts, especially the only lift that takes you back to Tignes.
Being out in Tignes with family meant there was lots of opportunity to relax and enjoy food, beer, chocolate, beer, food.
We had most fun when we went off-piste, of course, re-visiting the Vallee Perdue and the Manchet, which we had explored in 2020. The Vallee Perdue was very different to last time, with some rope assisted descending. We had a lot less snow this year. We also found a new route for us, Vallon de la Sache, with a fantastic 12km descent through gullies and bowls and a final traverse to the black run just above Tignes 1500. It was awesome, and would be even better in fresh powder.
Travel to Tignes is long, that is if you fly to the most popular airport Geneva. You’re looking at a minimum 3.5 hours if there is no traffic at all, but with the pressures of change-over day and picking up traffic from Espace Killy, the Three Valleys and Les Arc, you’re looking at 6 hours. At least we had a luxury bus and a driver. All we had to do is sit back and relax… for a very long time.
Our pad in Tignes was pretty decent, CGH Résidences & Spas Le Télémark. It’s just about ski-in/ski-out. We didn’t have access to the spa facilities, unless we wanted to pay more, but I wasn’t too bothered. A post-ski cup of tea and cakes, followed by gin and tonic and nibbles, beer and then wine, is my kind relaxation.
