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Summer in Tignes was an absolute revelation to us when we spent our holidays here in 2007. Having not stayed in a ski resort in the Summer before, we weren’t sure what to expect and took totally the wrong clothes for a start! Tignes is very high so of course you get a lot of sun, but it also gets cold at night. Layered clothing works best we found, and good footwear is most important.
I suppose we were expecting Alpine meadows, gentle walks, sitting in the sun, and yes there is that, but there is so much more to Tignes in the Summer than that. We didn’t hear much English spoken during our stay, it seems to be a secret that the UK hasn’t discovered yet. I am sure this will change as the word gets out.
We weren’t prepared for how much there is to do for all the family and the next time we go we will take ski equipment, running and cycling gear, hire bikes and book the children into activities. We did a lot, but we could have done so much more. We came back with legs like iron, having walked so much, and brown as berries from all the picnics we ate in the sun up the mountains. Healthy or what!
Mountain biking is a big sport here and no wonder. There are miles of prepared tracks for all levels and you can take your bike up in a chairlift/gondola, how great is that! You can hire bikes and all the equipment in Val Claret very near the apartment.
Skiing continues all Summer here on the glacier. Top professionals (and people like us!) take the opportunity to hone skills with private lessons or small classes, starting early and finishing at 12 ish. Play tennis all afternoon, sail, cycle, walk, fish, swim…...or you could sit in the sun with a beer!
We expected soft Alpine meadows but Tignes is not soft in the Summer. The landscape is rugged with awe inspiring, towering peaks all around you. There are lots of Alpine flowers, some of the most beautiful are tucked in crevices in the most inhospitable crags. We were delighted to see all the wildlife too, Marmattons are plentiful here. Having seen their tracks whilst skiing we have always wondered what they looked like but they are not as shy as we expected, which was a surprise.
There are 5 lakes in Tignes and we hadn’t expected that. We have regularly skied over Lac de Chardonnay without ever knowing it was there, and you just have to see the colour of Lac de Tignes to believe the soft aquamarine colour it is in the Summer. It takes your breath away.
Have a look at the pictures and explore the links. If you want to know any more, just ask, we will be happy to advise. If you’re looking for a holiday with a difference this year that will please all the family/friends, you’ve just found it!
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