Tignes : The Best Slopes to Kick Off the Ski Season with Friends
The Opening in Tignes : the place to be for the first turns of the ski season
Every year, Tignes kicks off the ski season as one of the very first resorts in the Alps, thanks to its Grande Motte glacier, which guarantees natural snow cover starting in late November. For the 2026–2027 season, mark your calendars for November 21 for the first runs, with the ski area gradually ramping up: right from the opening, the lifts start running on Saturday morning in an atmosphere that’s as festive as it is sporty—it’s the Opening, a true Tignes tradition. The connection to Val d’Isère follows a week later, openingaccess to the entire Espace Killy and its 300 km of slopes.
For a group of friends who want to hit the slopes before everyone else, without the crowds of school vacation, this is THE time slot to mark on your calendar.
The Best Ski Runs in Tignes , to Kick Off the Season on the Right Foot
Right from the start, the Grande Motte glacier kicks off the season—and it’s anything but a consolation prize. Here are the must-dos for a group looking for excitement and thrills:
@andyparant.com
1- The trails on the Grande Motte Glacier
- The red runs— Glacier, Dahu, and Double M —wind their way at high altitude, right across the glacier. They offer breathtaking panoramic views of the entire ski area.
- The Leisse black run, which also descends from the glacier, is intended for experienced skiers. With its bumpy surface, it puts your thighs to the test and can be a real challenge depending on the day’s conditions, before joining the Romaye or Dahu red runs to continue the descent.
Grande Motte Glacier Cable Car – @andyparant.com
2 – The blue and black runs leading back down to the valley of Tignes
The Tovière sector slopes back down toward the valley, allowing you to link runs together without waiting—a real plus at the very start of the season.
As for the blue runs, Henri and Prariond are ideal for getting back into the swing of things before heading to Val Claret—but be careful, as they tend to get rutted by the end of the day.
To head back down to Tignes-le-Lac, take the black runs Combe Folle and Johan Clarey, with their two particularly impressive steep sections.
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3 – Off-piste and the legendary ski run at Tignes
- Want to experience powder without leaving the designated ski area? The marked off-piste run at Campanule, in the Tovière sector, is perfect for getting your legs going in a relaxed setting.
- After a good snowfall, don’t miss La Sache in the Aiguille Percée area: a legendary black run stretching over 10 km with a 1,200-meter vertical drop, connecting the Aiguille Percée to Les Brévières. It’s the longest run in Tignes —a rugged trail that offers a sense of solitude in the heart of vast landscapes.
Grande Motte Glacier Trails
Trails in the Tovière area
Off-Piste Campanules
La Sache Trail
Map of a portion of the trails in the Tignes Val d’Isère ski area
To view all these areas and plan your first day, check out the official trail map Tignes – Val d’Isère before you leave—it’s a handy way to set the group’s meeting spot on the morning of the Opening.
Where to stay for the season opener in Tignes ? Alpapart residences
Skiing early in the season is great. Doing it while staying in comfortable accommodations, close to the slopes, and with friends is even better. Alpapart is opening its resorts in Tignes , according to the following schedule:
- Les Almes 1 : Already open, available now.
- Les Almes 2 and Le Denali : opens Friday, November 20—perfect for settling in the night before the opening.
- Funiculaire Collection : Opens December 1 for groups that prefer to visit in early December, when the entire Tignes –Val d’Isère ski area is open.
There’s something for every type of trip: arrive as soon as the first snow falls atLes Almes s 1 and 2, or Le Denali, or wait until the connection to Val d’Isère is fully open to stay at Funiculaire Collection. In any case, these apartments are designed for groups and groups of friends, just a stone’s throw from the slopes.
Looking for bars and restaurants just a stone's throw from our apartments at Funiculaire Collection ?
Check out our article on this topic
The Best Deal to Start the Season: Free Intersport Ski Bundle
To celebrate the start of the season, Alpapart is offering a free red ski package from our partner Intersport ( including boots and poles) with any lodging reservation made between November 20 and 29.
In practical terms, that means:
- No need to worry about renting equipment separately
- A complete red-level package, perfect for a group of athletes who want to hit the slopes as soon as they arrive
- A real savings on your vacation budget—to be split among friends
It's the perfect combination for a group that wants to enjoy the first runs at Tignes without having to rent skis at the resort.
FAQ: The Start of the Ski Season in Tignes
When does the Tignes resort open for the 2026–2027 season?
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Tignes ’s ski resort will open its slopes on November 21, 2026, thanks to the guaranteed snow cover of the Grande Motte glacier. The connection to Val d’Isère and full access to the Espace Killy will follow a week later.
Do you have to be an experienced skier to ski at the season opener in Tignes ?
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No, the Grande Motte glacier area offers runs for all skill levels: blue runs like Henri and Prariond to get back into the swing of things, red runs like Glacier, Dahu, and Double M, as well as more technical black runs like La Leisse, reserved for experienced skiers.
What is the longest track at Tignes ?
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The Sache run, in the Aiguille Percée area, is the longest run in Tignes , stretching over 10 km with a vertical drop of 1,200 m. This legendary black run connects the Aiguille Percée to Les Brévières and is only skiable after heavy snowfall.
Where to stay in Tignes , for the season opener?
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Alpapart residences offer several accommodation options in time for the start of the season: Les Almes 1 (already open), Les Almes 2 and Le Denali (opening November 20), and Funiculaire Collection (opening December 1). All apartments are designed to accommodate groups and groups of friends, and are located near the slopes.
How can I take advantage of the Intersport ski package offered by Alpapart?
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The Intersport red ski package (including boots and poles) is free with any reservation of Alpapart accommodations in Tignes , made between November 20 and 29, 2026.
Can you ski throughout the entire Tignes –Val d’Isère ski area as soon as it opens?
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No, when the resort opens on November 21, only the Grande Motte glacier area will be accessible. The connection to Val d’Isère, which provides access to all 300 km of slopes in the Espace Killy, opens a week later.
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