Tignes and The Espace Killy 2019/20 (Useful Links Page 1)

A snowHead

@drporat, look at that snow depth though.
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A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Since there seem to be a lot of knowledge people here, and as we’ve pretty much settled on Tignes I hope is ok to post some questions on here.

We’re a family of three (9yr kid), confident intermediates who’ve previously skied in Canada. After far too much research we’re looking at tignes and trying to decide which part to stay in. Seems like our choice after everything else is a typical small cramped appt in Val Claret or a much nicer larger place in 1800. I really like the look of 1800 - Apres for us is a couple of beers and a movie on the iPad! My only worry is location. Is it too far from the main slopes? Will we find it too hard to get to Val Claret and Grande Motte. And is it still feasible to get over to Val DIsere?

Can anyone reassure me or tell me our plans are daft?!? Thanks

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Ps webcams already looking nice! I wonder who much time over the years I’ve wasted on ski resort webcams?

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@TommyJ, as an option on days when you were in a rush to get somewhere from 1800, there is a regular shuttle bus.

You'll need to Register first of course.

1800 is fine. Its a lift to Boisses gondola Aiguile Rouge and then a ski into Le Lac. From Le Lac you can take Touviere towards Val D'Isere or Val Claret. The query is whether these lifts are running in time for you to get to ski school should you need to. 1800 is fine, but a little more removed and it means anextra couple of lifts and runs each day, but they are good fun runs.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

My post crossed with the one above while typing it(!!) rolling eyes

but here goes....

TommyJ You needn't worry - the whole Espace Killy lift system is very well connected. There are still a few slow lifts - with a couple right above Tignes 1800 as it happens. You need to ride one of those (a fairly short one) for the most direct/quickest routes to get to Val D & the Grande Motte glacier lifts:
- Gondola, slow chair, gondola (with some nice skiing in beteeen) & you are at Toviere summit to ski straight down to the Val D area.
- Gondola, slow chair, fast chair (Paquis) - with skiing down to board Paquis Chair - to then ski down to the Grande Motte funicular at Val Claret.

From the top of the gondola out of 1800, you can also take a scenic, less direct route to Val Claret and the glacier - via Aiguille Percee (involving another - very long - slow lift after the gondola from 1800). Only 3 or 4 lifts but a fair distance on skis.

Or, as has been mentioned, you can catch a 5 min shuttle bus to Tignes Le Lac where you are straight on to the Toviere gondola or Palafour chair to connect as above.

Absolutely no problem wherever you decide to stay in terms of slope access - but 1800 itself is rather more soulless than Val Claret, Le Lac, Lavachet and Les Brevieres.

In other words, it's completely dead.The new apartment blocks are all very nice but otherwise there is very little there - a Spar supermarket is about the highlight. I don't think you can even buy a lift ticket there any more - the office that sold them was swallowed up in the new developments.

After all it is free

Thanks everyone. That’s reassuring. The tour op also says taxi to ski school if we’re doing it.
Not sure if I’m too bothered my soulless and quiet - but MrsJ expects a certain level of comfort and I don’t think the apartments in Val Claret cut it with her!
The bus looks good - presumably we can ski to one of the bigger villages, enjoy a drink and bus back.

@TommyJ, Pretty sure ESF ski school that operate out of Breviere and 1800 as well.

To echo what has been said above, 1800 will feel a bit purpose built, but your level of accom is probably better than Val Claret.

Getting around on skis is a doddle, and you could easily catch a beer in Lac before catching the last Chaudannes lift (16.30, or 17.00 from Feb onward) and skiing down to 1800.

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Not going to disagree with any of the above. If you do ski school in Lac, then the free shuttle bus will be the way, junior will arrive warmer!

Also if you prefer quieter apres as you describe you will be fine in 1800. The problem with Val Claret is location, half of it is fine, half is very noisy, ie to 6am in the morning.

Hopefully as 1800 expands bit by bit the services will also expand year by year.

As I understand it, the 2 slow lifts will be replaced over the next two summer's. Marais in 20 and Aiguille Rouge in 21.

Lac to 1800 bus runs till midnight, so you can still pop out for a meal, it only takes 10 mins.

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@chocksaway, Was out with mates for a birthday bash yesterday and told one of them about the QdC Burns Supper (as he will be there on the day) and that he needs to get in touch with Duncan to book etc etc.

They are a "slightly older" group and after a days skiing usually stay in, cook and watch the tv rather than hit the pub.

Had to explain exactly where it was..........despite them (for 3 or 4 years running) staying at their pals apartment which is in the same block as TCs was and hence about 50 yards from the pub Very Happy

snow reports

Looks like Face is open Very Happy

Good news re Face. Very Happy

Am I right in thinking that, in good early season snow (like now), Bollin freebie chair & Tichot chair have opened before the winter season start at the end of November?? Sticks in my mind that they have... Puzzled

And how is Double M coming along? We'll be there from late next Friday night - outlook on Snow-forecast (which only goes up to Fri at present) is for snow to low levels (600m!) for the drive up...

So it's fingers crossed for a break in the weather next weekend - or for Double M to be open for some better, low-level, visibility wink

You know it makes sense.

@stevew, really? looks full of snowmaking hills to me.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@TommyJ, You have been given lots of good advice. ESF do operate out of 1800 as @GreenDay, said.

My personal choice with a 9yo would be to stay higher up though, in Lac, Lavachet or VC. In Lac there is the Carrefour supermarket, the Lagon swimming pool and the Tignespace sports centre.

From 1800 the school would have to use 2 lifts each day to access the main ski area and this could well take 30 minutes of each session. Alternatively they could bus up to Lac, again using up time. I think youngster would get much more tuition and varied skiing staying higher.

A snowHead

A snowHead

How come Leisse is now an itinerary? I guess that means they'll never piste it which is a shame as I've been down it when there were huge bumps on it, it was exhausting! It's always been a nice, cruisey black in the past, when pisted.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@Dr John, Face in Tignes doesn't have snowmaking, and is listed as open.

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@HoneyBunny, see Chocksaway analysis of question to this on the previous page (or 2)

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

And go to the back of the class @HoneyBunny, Very Happy

@GreenDay, I'll be tberecproviding mates can be persuaded, promise not to sing on ilkla moor ba'that.

@mountainaddict

I've seen Bollin open, as it allows Beginners to avoid the queues, but never Tichot. Can't be long until Lanches though. That allows lots more tickets to be sold.

You'll need to Register first of course.

@stevew, @chocksaway, apols, missed that! Embarassed

Makes sense I guess, wasn't a run I did often anyway.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

However, if they take Leisse lift out, it will make a great route for lazy tourers. Train to the top, a good long ski and a benign skin back to Genepy Very Happy

After all it is free

I enjoy the ski from the top to the GM to the bottom of Leisse as it's a nice long ski and it's easy to repeat the GM that way .. provided queue isn't to bad.

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^^^^Ta. Hopefully not long now then Very Happy

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@rjs, ah, different face. My bad.

snow reports

Looks good out there.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10162613249580094&set=a.10151319614875094&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/snoworks/videos/1479225932215773/

https://www.facebook.com/snoworks/videos/461158764540061/

You know it makes sense.

just had a further thought re Tignes 1800 Kenzie….While the bus stop to connect to Le Lac (then ski from there or change of bus to go onward to Val Claret) is very close to the new apartments of 1800, depending on exactly where you are staying, it may be a bit further (2-300m or so to get to the point where you would put your skis on to slide down the beginner run to the gondola out of 1800). Not a huge distance but I thought I'd mention it wink

.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@TommyJ, what time of the season do you plan to stay in Tignes?

A snowHead

Thanks everyone. Looks like we’re going early February - slightly odd school holidays using a few training days and a couple of days. Presume anything will be reasonably snow covered then.

We want a package from a northern airport for minimal hassle - and doing it this way surprisingly few options in Tignes seem to be coming up

A snowHead

And given that we’ve been in Banff for the last few years where getting to the slopes involved a walk, bus, further walk and lift anything seems easier!!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

^^^ Indeed TommyJ Very Happy

Have you had a look at Tignes.co.uk for a self catering place? They usually have a fair range on there...

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@TommyJ, Also worth asking the tour ops (ski total are pretty big in Tignes) if they have anything?

You mentioned "Northern" airports, they go from all over including Scotland.

Unless you deffo want to self cater.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@TommyJ, Have a look at www.thetigneschaletcompany.com

Independent outfit. Maybe sort your own flights. They run their own transfer company.

You'll also find that their ski school www.ultimatesnowsports.com is highly rated.

ps, I have no connection to them but I do spend a fair bit of time in Tignes.

No idea of your budget but for pure convenience Mark Warner's chalet hotel the Aiguille Percee is hard to beat and they do offer regional flights. Right in the heart of Tignes le Lac. Short walk to the snowfront, lifts and ski school meeting point. Varied selection of bars/restaurants close by and very easy to ski into the centre of "Lac" to collect kids from ski school.

You'll need to Register first of course.

@mountainaddict, I think you are being a bit hard on 1800. You can clip in and ski to the gondola from pretty much any of the new development. There is also a magic carpet to bring you back up.

The bars and restuarants there have got better and busier since it opened and it's growing quite well. There is always the bar at Melezes too... always a great atmosphere in there.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

@mountainaddict, The stuff on the left, between Garage Overpriced and the Lake is social housing. I don't think there are any rentals there, though there maybe the odd sublet, social housing abuse is alive and well in Tignes!

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Since the La Daille webcam is still off I took a few pictures today.

Help!!

Tignes and The Espace Killy 2019/20 (Useful Links Page 1)

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