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Tignes is not just a winter ski resort there are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy year round.

Tignes is one of the few European resorts to be able to offer you summer skiing on the Grande Motte Glacier. 

The funicular based just 100 yards from our apartment takes you up to the base of the glacier. It is then just one cable cars ride and you can spend the day skiing in lovely sunshine!

The 2007 Tour de France is stopping in Tignes at the end of stage 8, there will also be a rest day on the 16th July so your chance to mingle in the tour village atmosphere - e-mail now for special rates!!!

In the region of Tignes there are 7 mountain lakes with the biggest being in Le-Lac, which is suitable for fishing, sailing and canoeing.

There is an 18 hole golf course located in the village of Val Claret, so just 150 yards from the apartment.

Perhaps the most well known summer activities are the fantastic walks that are available. Some of the ski lifts remain open during the summer so that you can walk in the crisp mountain air with breath taking views.

Cycling in Tignes is very popular and some of the lifts will let you take your bike on them so you can enjoy the exhilarating ride back down again. Bicycle hire is available from many of the ski hire shops in Val Claret.

The following was very kindly written by one of our guests during August 2006:

Pubs

The Crowded House is excellent for Brits and run by an avid downhill mountain bike crew.  Its a good place to go for a beer and some advice on the best trails to ride and downhill runs – free pool and they’ll even let you make your own playlist on itunes if your nice!

Mountain biking

The first thing to note is that if you haven’t cycled at this altitude before (anything between 7000-9000 ft) you will really feel it on the first day….but it will get easier!

Visit the tourist information in Tignes Le Lac and pick up the pamphlet outlining the various bike trails and downhill runs.

Ride 1

I recommend the orange single track run down to Les Boisses which in turn runs in to the dark orange (I think) run down to Les Brevieres.  This is a challenging run for the intermediate rider and I think it would be difficult for a novice.  Just before you get to Les Boisses on the orange run you will come to a cross road with a sign and it’s not too clear which way to go – you go up!  You’ll need to dismount and carry your bike over the rocks and up the log stairs.

From Les Brevieres you take the old windy road back up the hill to Les Boisses...its about a 4k climb, quite steep.  From Les Boisses you could take the main road up to Le Lac, about 6k climb.

Ride 2

Ride the main road to Val D’isere, from there you can take the cable car up to Rocher de bellevarde And make your way over to Toviere via a network of dirt roads.

At Toviere you will be above Val Claret & Le Lac and have a choice of down hill runs which should be clear from the pamphlet you picked up and the sign posting....if you’re not sure ask someone at the top – you don’t want to go down the wrong run! 

I did the green and blue downhill runs, which are quite challenging....not for the novice mountain biker.  I would recommend hiring the proper downhill gear if you want to give the downhill runs a go, I did it on a hard tail cross country bike and it wasn't really up to the job!  In addition, you can hire full body amour....a good idea.  

Once your down, you can put you bike back in the ski lift and go straight back up again....fantastic!  To be honest, you could cycle every day without riding up a hill if you wanted.

Bike shop & Equipment Hire

There aren't many places to get bike clothes and spares in Tignes, the best one we found was a shop called ‘Le Vallon Blanc’ In Le Lac.  Directions: in Le Lac if you are looking at the slopes at 12 o’clock, Le Vallon Blanc will be on your left at 10 o’clock.  From here you can also rent a full range of downhill mountain bikes and amour.

Evolution2 in Val Claret also hire out single and full suspension mountain bikes as well as organize other events such as quad biking and helicopter rides etc.

Beach Soccer is a very popular sport in Tignes and a tournament is held every Monday. There are also 28 Tennis courts in the area of Tignes as well as basketball and volleyball.

For more information on summer activities we are pleased to recommend the following company:

www.evolution2.com