Tignes Val Claret

Tignes Val Claret, France

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Tignes Val Claret

Val Claret is the highest and snow-surest of Tignes' villages, sitting right at the base of the Grande Motte gondola. Its modern, purpose-built apartments face directly onto the slopes, making it a favourite for early-season and glacier skiing.

 Summary

Val Claret is the uppermost of Tignes' four villages, built in a functional, purpose-designed style typical of many high-altitude French resorts. Its position at over 2100m, right beside the lake and directly under the Grande Motte glacier, gives it some of the most reliable snow cover in the Tarentaise.

The ski area of Tignes Val Claret is in the French Alps at an altitude of 2,100m.

Tignes Val Claret is part of the Tignes ski area with access to 150km of downhill skiing, with 154 marked pistes, served by a total of 87 ski lifts. From Tignes Val Claret you can ski to the other villages of Tignes Le Lac, Tignes Les Boisses and Tignes Les Brévières.

The ski resort itself is at 2,100m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 3,450m, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.

Snow and Weather

Val Claret's altitude, sitting above 2100m and backed by the Grande Motte glacier reaching 3656m, gives it some of the most dependable snow cover in the Alps. Natural snowfall is generally reliable through the season, and the glacier itself often allows skiing into the summer months. Snowmelt at these altitudes is slower than lower resorts, helping preserve base depths well into spring. As with any resort, conditions vary year to year, so it's worth checking J2Ski's snow reports for the latest depths and recent snowfall before you travel.

When will it snow in Tignes Val Claret?

The next notable snow forecast is 2cm, expected on 8 October.

See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.

Snow this week

Ski Area Stats

Skiing

Val Claret sits at the base of the Grande Motte glacier, with the Funival underground funicular whisking skiers up to over 3000m in a few minutes, opening onto glacier runs that stay skiable through summer. From here, the whole Espace Killy area unfolds, linking Tignes and Val d'Isere across more than 300km of pistes served by around 78 lifts. Key runs above Val Claret include the long, rolling glacier pistes served by the Grande Motte gondola, and the more challenging Sache and Genepy pistes dropping down towards Val d'Isere, both known for their steep, mogulled terrain. The Palafour and Aiguille Percee sectors offer varied cruising terrain, while the Toviere lift links Val Claret towards Val d'Isere's Solaise sector. Off-piste opportunities are considerable, with the Combe de la Reche and areas below the Grande Motte popular among freeride skiers. Val Claret's altitude, generally between 2100m and 3656m at the top of the glacier, makes it one of the more snow-secure bases in the Alps, particularly valued early and late season.

Ski Lessons in Tignes Val Claret

To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Tignes Val Claret Ski Schools and Tignes Val Claret Ski Instructors.

Snowboarding

Tignes has long been a magnet for snowboarders, and Val Claret's proximity to the Grande Motte glacier and the Tignes Snowpark makes it a strong base for park riders. The Snowpark, located near the Val Claret sector, features rails, jumps, and a boardercross track, while the wider Espace Killy offers plenty of natural terrain, gullies, and open bowls suited to freeriding.

Location and Map

Where is Tignes Val Claret?

This ski resort is in the French Alps in Tignes, Espace Killy.

Map

Tap for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.

How to get there

 By Air

The nearest airport to Tignes Val Claret is Chambery, 119 minutes drive away.

Annecy, Grenoble, Lyon St-Exupéry, Lyon Bron and Geneva airports are all within three hours drive.

The nearest major airport is Chambery, roughly two hours away by road, making it the most convenient option for UK travellers. Geneva Airport is also well-served and commonly used, with transfer times of around two and a half to three hours depending on conditions. Lyon Airport is another alternative, slightly further at around three hours. Regular bus transfers run from these airports throughout the season. By car, the resort is reached via the A43 and then the N90 through Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with the final approach climbing steadily to Val Claret's high-altitude setting.

Season Dates

When is Tignes Val Claret open?

We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.

NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.

Aprés Ski

Val Claret's apres scene is more low-key than lively, centred around bars like Crowded House and Loop bar, popular for post-ski beers and pub-quiz nights. TC's Bar draws a mixed crowd with live sport and music, while Melting Pot offers a relaxed spot for food and drinks. For a livelier night out, many head down to Tignes Le Lac's clubs, but Val Claret retains a handful of solid options for a quieter evening.