Tignes
We bought this apartment in Tignes after passing holidays for 15 years in this station.
First of all, Tignes is a vast ski domain. Beyond the 300km of slopes, the main asset is that most of them stand above 2000m high, where there is always snow in winter.
The good thing is that you can travel from one side of the domain to the other without living the heights. Most ski stations can offer vast domains but you often have to go down to the valley to travel from one spot to the other.
The landscapes are great, for those who appreciate snow wilderness.
In winter, all the high-Alpine activities are available, from snowshoes hikes to mountaineering or ice climbing, the "bureau des guides" is here for this purpose.
Tignes has four main villages. The two highest are the main ones. The frozen lake makes the separation between "Tignes le lac" and "Tignes Val claret". Free shuttles run until late at night so that many people travel from one side to the other all day long.
The lake is where joggers and walkers go. There is also an ice rink, and several other activities are offered, like sled dog, diving under the ice. You can also do a little bit of cross country skiing.
On the side of the lake lies a sport complex, with one centered around 3 pools (swimming, fun and babies) with sauna and such things. The other one does many indoors sports like badmington, indoor climbing etc.
You can access the pool for free with your ski pass.
The two locations, "Le lac" and "Val claret" are both great for skiing. I chose Val claret because I find it less crowded and there you have the access to the glacier.
The road to the station is easy from Bourg Saint Maurice (40 min), the road has regular traffic and is freed from snow. when the weather is snowy it is recommended to have snow tires and/or chains for the last miles.
You can buywhat you need from the local stores, the two "Sherpa", one in the lower part of Val claret and one in the center.
The one at the center is bigger and has a good stand for fresh meat, cheese and caterer. There is another general store is at Le lac, "Carrefour montagne", about the same size but with different brands. No butchery though.
Several bakeries are disposed all over Val claret, one being next to our building.
Several more or less tourist shops with regional products can be found at Val claret and Le lac.
Diverses boutiques de produits régionaux plus ou moins touristiques sont réparties au Val claret et au lac.
There is a good market place in a street of Le lac on Tuesday and Sunday. One cheese producer in particular deserves the trip, there is a high quality vegetables and fruits reseller as well.
Many restaurants are concentrated in val claret, from the Japanese to excellent pizzas, as well as more traditional ones.
Ski retailers ares also dispersed all around, one being very close to the building. Sleds are for rent also, to carry the kids around. Going from Val claret to Le lac through the frozen lake is a good daily hike when you have little children or a baby.
Ski passes can be bought online, or at the center of Val claret, or directly as a desk on the slopes.
For little ones, two kindergarten type ski ranges managed by the local ski schools lies in front of the building, and the ski schools RV points are located behind the bakery, close by.
