Tignes is expected to kick off the French ski season this Saturday, joined by Europe’s highest resort, Val Thorens.
The famous ski nation has been a bit of a standout over the past few months, with more than 20 ski areas already open across Austria, Italy and Switzerland, but that all changes from this coming weekend.
After a few often mild, mostly dry weeks, fresh snowfall is forecast for high-altitude terrain over the next few days with perfect timing.
Lifts are due to begin turning at 9am from the Perce-Neige funicular in Tignes Val Claret, giving skiers access to fresh glacier runs. Lift pass prices start at €40/day (22–23 Nov) then €50/day (24–28 Nov).
After the end of the ski day at 5.30pm, a torchlit descent will see 100 ski instructors and Tignes Sports Club members illuminate the slopes from 3,456 metres down to Val Claret, followed by après-ski celebrations.
Then from 23–27 November, Tignes hosts over 150 elite French athletes, including Olympic and Paralympic stars, for their annual Les Étoiles du Sport. With the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics just over two months away, the event focuses on mentoring rising talent and preparing for peak performance.
The full Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area opens a week later, boasting 74 lifts and terrain from 1,550m to 3,450m when fully operational. Lift passes will be €65/day (29 Nov–12 Dec) then €75/day (13 Dec–14 Apr).
Meanwhile, Val Thorens hosts its iconic Grande Première on 22–23 November, with free ski tests, live music, and mountain film screenings.
Image credit: Andy Parant, Tignes
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