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As one of the most snow-sure destinations in the French Alps, Tignes ski resort is a fantastic choice for skiers of mixed abilities. But it’s no secret that anyone with a yearning to pump up the adrenaline levels will find a lot to love on the high-altitude slopes of Tignes. Ski opportunities are not limited to the pistes; the resort’s pièce de résistance is the opportunity to go glacier skiing on Grand Motte (3455m), even in summer. The good news is that the fantastic skiing is complemented by a very respectable après scene. The resort is spread across five different villages and, while there’s no real “hub” of entertainment and dining, there are plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants to keep everyone more than happy. For the Clubbers If you’re serious about a party, most of the action can be found in the higher villages of Val Claret and Le Lac. There are four nightclubs for the late-stayers, each of which has its own distinct ambience and regular drink offers to entice you in. In Le Lac, the Jacks Club is a local’s favourite, so if you want to get to know the seasonaires and dance till dawn, you’ve found your tribe. Les Caves (also in Le Lac) offers a mellower vibe and has a very French feel to it – there’ll be no dancing on tables here! Over in Val Claret, for some serious R’n’B, disco, Euro, hip-hop and electro beats, you can swing between Melting Pot and the slightly more laidback Blue Girl. Top tip: Take advantage of the free 24-hour bus service to get you between the villages if you plan on club hopping. Alternatively, find your favourite and settle in for the night. Drinking, Dining, Après Of course, not everyone’s up for an all nighter, so for those looking for a relaxed bite to eat and a few civilised drinks to round out a day on the snow, there’s plenty to keep you happy no matter where your tastes run. One of the busiest places at the end of the day is Le Loop, in Le Lac. You can come straight off the slopes and plot up on the terrace for a drink and stay on into the evening for the live music and DJs. If you’re missing the home fires, jump on the bus down to Les Brévières and drop in to Le Moose or the Boot Room, which are both English bars popular with skiers coming in off the slopes. In Val Claret you can style up a little at Le Whitney Bar or Bars Hors Piste, both of which have cosy log fires and a more intimate ambience. Think red wine, cocktails and comfortable sofas around the fire. There is no shortage of small bars nestled away in all five of the resort’s villages. Many of them offer happy hours and, quite often, live music. Some, like Le Queue de Cochon, in Lavachet, also serve up a fantastic selection of food – from the more familiar modern dishes to hearty traditional Savoyard cuisine. While the free shuttle service around the villages of Tignes ski resort means you could check out a different place to drink and dance every night of your holiday, it’s generally more relaxing to find a favourite close to your accommodation. It won’t be hard, but do be aware that most of the livelier action happens in the higher villages of Val Claret and Le Lac. Because Tignes ski resort is so renowned for its off piste, advanced and intermediate skiers, it tends to attract a crowd who enjoys their après as well. And while it certainly doesn’t have the “drink and dance ‘til you drop” reputation of other places, there’s more than enough to get the party started every night of the week. Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. With a range of accommodation options in resorts such as La Plagne, Les Menuires and Tignes, ski enthusiasts looking for a holiday of a lifetime are never disappointed by the team’s expert knowledge and recommendations.
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