Let’s start the countdown at Tignes famous glacier. Completely covered all year round with snow and ice, La Grande Motte is the highest skiable peak in the Espace Killy ski area at 3656m above sea level. The trek to this elevation is worth the effort but here’s a handy tip: stand in the middle of La Grande Motte cable car!

This comes in handy when the cable car cabin swings over the support pylon and gives your stomach that rollercoaster feeling. It’s no wonder that the spectacular view from the summit is a suitable excuse to take a deep breath of fresh mountain air and smile for the camera.

Not far down the piste is the very luxurious Le Panoramic Restaurant. Guests that come here can’t seem to decide what’s better, the enchanting views or the delectable menu to choose from. Ask your chalet manager to book a table in advance because these seats fill up fast and it’s a gourmet experience you certainly don’t want to miss out on!

I would highly recommend the blueberry pie for pudding, but let’s get back to the piste shall we? The run starts out with a steep undulating descend perfect for sweeping into those carves before flatting out. Make sure to pick up some speed to truly enjoy the breathtaking display of snow-covered mountains on either side of the run. The piste merges with the very wide and spacious double M red run before eventually reaching civilization in Val Claret.

Getting to the top of the Palafour lift is quick and easy from the centre of Tignes Le Lac, making the Combe piste a family favourite. This run is great for staying local and running a few laps to warm up those shaky ski legs that have been out of practice since your last ski holiday.

You wont find unwanted surprises or rough terrain here; only pure, straightforward, downhill fun! This is definitely a piste to play on – an undulating playground for snow lovers. Definitely be sure to check out the Loop Bar at the bottom of the Trolles slope in Le Lac for lunch or some lively après ski action. Grab a hefty portion of nachos to refuel or stick around for the popular live music and happy hour drinks in the sun after 3pm.

DANGER! Please only read this section if you are an advocate, passion-filled, eat, sleep and drink skier or boarder. Sache can be an enjoyable run given proper weather and fresh snow, but given that it is one of the longest black runs in Europe, no matter what the conditions, your knees will guaranteed to wobble across the finish line.

Lucky for you, L’Armailly is just at the foot of the lifts in Les Brevieres and has a great outdoor terrace serving one of the best vin chauds I’ve ever had. The beautiful French alpine cuisine in this restaurant is complemented by the charming local architecture, affording you a cosy Savoyard experience.

That is enough about the reception awaiting you at the end of the run, lets get back to the top! With a combination of steep descents and un-pisted moguls many catch a break to not only rest their legs, but also to take a moment to realise there is nothing in sight but the snow-capped mountain range.

Before reaching Tignes lowest village, Les Brevieres, don’t forget to look out to the beautifully designed Chevril Dam on your right, which at the time of its construction, was the tallest in Europe. Keep an eye out for our next blog which will focus on the fascinating story of Les Brevieres along with an insider’s scoop on the resort and chalets.

Another eye-catching landmark Tignes has to offer is the naturally occurring rock formation, the Eye of the Needle, found at the top of the Aiguille Percee. Many try and snap a selfie or enjoy a picnic under this one-of-a-kind arch.

Just to give you another tip: I wouldn’t recommend taking the Marais chairlift for two reasons: One, the ride is a long and slow, and two, towards the end of the afternoon, the lift glides along in the shade of the mountains making it a cold climb to the top.

Trust me, it is much more pleasurable to hop on the Aiguille Peerce and ski the cyclamen slope, beautifully positioned in front of the “Eye” and usually offers excellent snow conditions.

Looking for that beautiful no surprises, no congestion, and no hassle blue run that makes you question “why cant all slopes be this breezy?” There is nothing overly spectacular about this run that makes it stand out above the rest. So why am I writing about it do you ask? That’s the beauty of it! This run is so often over looked, making it beautifully untouched.

Starting at the top of the Grattalu chair lift, many head here to veer left into the snow park whilst those who love to piste ski, steer right to the red run, Le Mur, to test their skills. This clears the way for the wide-open spaces found on the Grattalu run. Because I’m feeling so generous, my last little tip is to avoid the restaurant at the bottom of the Grattalu chair lift. There are much better choices in Val Claret and for those looking for a quick pit-stop for some lunchtime fuel.