Tignes provides beginners with five free tows on which to find their snow legs. The Grand Motte glacier which is accessed via funicular railway has some very gentle runs for progressing beginners to build up their confidence before taking on some of the longer blue runs that lead from the glacier all the way back to Val Claret. There are in fact numerous areas with gentle blue slopes but be careful to check with your instructor before trying any on your own as some have trickier bits than others.

Intermediates will love the numerous blue and red runs that will allow them to travel throughout this entire area. Test your metal on one of the thigh burning routes from L’Aiguille Perche down to Tignes Les Brevieres with a vertical drop of nearly 1200 meters. Take the cable car to the summit of La Grande Motte and sample the outstanding views before descending the1300 meters on any one of several routes back to Val Claret. And in the unlikely event that you run out of piste the more adventurous can cut their teeth in some of the easily accessible off-piste areas. It’s best to try out with the help of an instructor. With a little guidance you can achieve in 5 minutes what otherwise might take you 5 years.

The Espace Killy is riddled with many challenging pistes but the “piste de résistance” is in fact found beyond the ski slope marker poles. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will find a wealth of off-piste opportunities throughout the Espace Killy area and much of it is very accessible. Those willing to trek a bit (not much) will be rewarded with frightening couloirs and expansive snowfields just waiting to be ripped up. However, this area has many glaciers, not to mention the ever present danger of avalanches. So we strongly recommend that you only venture off-piste with a mountain guide or qualified instructor. Play it safe and this place is freeride heaven.

Up on the Grande Motte glacier one will find a fun park that stays open all year round. There is a pretty good half pipe and jumps and rails of different grades. In summer you’ll be sharing the park with Pros who come here to train.

This region of the Vanoise National Park is exceptionally good for ski and snowboard touring. Day or multi-day trips can be undertaken and participants will be rewarded with outstanding scenery, possibly some interesting wildlife and undoubtedly exceptional riding. You should also get a real taste of solitude thrown in.