Robert Melkonyan

Tignes is connected to no less than five ski areas: Les Boisses, Val Claret, Tignes Le Lac, Tignes le Lavachet, and Les Brevieres-some higher or lower in the valley. Moreover, Tignes is part of Espace Killy and adjoined to Val D'Isere.

Because Tignes shares itself with so many neighbors, the periphery is a hotspot for expert skiers, a sanctuary for intermediates and a hotbed for beginners wishing to improve their adroitness. And, because the entire area is spread out among so many ski areas, Tignes can get crowded but never overly congested. You'll always have your own space on the slopes.

With so many places in the outlying ski areas, Tignes, France, is a better place to set up base as the Grande Motte Glacier-over 1,000 meters of vertical skiing eight to nine months per year. Plus, it's said that the terrain in Tignes is smoother than other places, though just as exposed and thus vulnerable to any slight change in the wind, sun or snow. Because of the treeless heights, you can always see the resorts with no escape to the woodlands-a cross-country ski trip through Tignes is next to impossible, though over 20 km are marked for trails.

Tignes, France, became popular in the 1960s and thus reflects that certain nonconformist panache. Though seen by some as adding to Tignes' personality, the architecture and resort systematization is looking to the future as one of the Alps leading ski holiday destinations. Thus the newer apre ski options are literally resounding with bar and disco echoing off the mountain precipices.

Slowly but surely, Tignes is reinventing itself for future chances. It used to be difficult, for example, to reach the east slopes from the western ones. Having said that, it's now straightforward as the Tignes-le-Lac Street was plunked underground several years ago, now providing passerby with the feeling of a people-friendly precinct. On the one hand, there are plenty of old resorts bunched together with not too many renovations; while, on the other hand, scores of hotels are getting facelifts making the place look fresh as the year-round snow.

Tignes, contrary to popular belief, has plenty of après ski things to do. However, last count put over 20 hotels, under 10 hotel residences, over 11 holiday centers, 2 holiday clubs, and nearly 75 private landlords-letting and leasing out apartments. Though skiing is the numero uno recreation, snowboarding is not too shabby either. There are two halfpipes, quarter pipes and boarder crosses making a day of challenging twists, turns, jumps and flips.

There are now some nice après ski choices, whereas years past would have given you only a handful of restaurant and bar choices. Though some visitors still don't think Tignes' après ski nightlife matches that of other Alps venues, lately the mood is changing-busy bars meet lined-up restaurants, booming discos run into gyrating clubs while night owls and early birds can share in the cinema and sport center; the former playing the summer scorchers while the latter featuring squash, swimming, aerobics and all the fancy calisthenics contrivances. With over 125 shops, several banks, post offices and petrol stations-even different denominational churches-you'll have no problem saving your boredom or your soul in Tignes, France.

For those wanting more recreational après skiing, there's a skate rink and bowling alley. Additionally, there's an outdoor skate rink, basketball, climbing (ice, waterfalls and rock), heliskiing, ice diving, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hang gliding, and outdoor swimming pool (summer). Avant or après ski, you'll always find something in Tignes if a rambunctious holiday fits your style.

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