Royal Navy Alpine Championships

Tignes has five villages, 300km of varied pistes, a glacier and has enough slopes, parks and off-piste to keep every standard of skier and boarder busy. The RNWSA Alpine Championships takes place in Val Claret, the highest of Tignes five villages and has direct access to snow-sure pistes. Three of the five villages are clustered around a huge frozen lake (Le Lac, less than 1 mile away) and four of the villages are connected by a free bus, making trips between villages (and nightlife centres) very simple.

Val Claret (2300m) is set over two levels, with the main hub of the village on the upper level and the ski lifts, main car park and bus route on the lower level. There are two lifts at each end of the village to allow easy access between levels.

By Air: The closest airport to Tignes is Chambéry (2 hours away), but Geneva (3 hours away) is the most popular with plenty of flights each day and transfers available.
Rail: The closest train station to Tignes is Bourg Saint Maurice (40 minutes away) and the Eurostar run direct from London St Pancreas to Bourg Saint Maurice throughout the season.
By Road: If you wish to drive to Tignes, the journey through France should take around 11 hours from Calais, (longer in a Pussers tilly...) and will cost around €50-€60 in tolls.

The mainstay of accommodation in Val Claret is self-catered apartments. These vary in comfort and space and therefore cost, but there is something to suit all budgets. Nowhere is far from the slopes and the free bus shuttles will get you around the resort. If you have not been to the Alps before, space is at a premium and the basic apartments are very small. People regularly sleep on sofa beds in the living area, the premise being you don’t spend much time in the apartment anyway.

With hands free electric passes and a recent ski lift modernisation programme, the ski area at Tignes is easily accessible. All the runs back into resort are serviced by snow cannons, so even in sparse seasons, it is possible to ski all the way back to resort and into the bars. There are plenty of wide easy blue runs for beginners, two snow parks and there is enough off piste to keep everyone happy.

Eating and Drinking

IF YOU HAVE BOOKED WITH ETC THEN YOU WILL GET A WRISTBAND ENTITLING YOU TO DISCOUNTS AT ALL MAIN BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
Tignes has ample to offer every taste and budget. Many restaurants offer traditional Savoyard specialities (centred around cheese) but there are plenty of other options available too. Drinking is not cheap in any French ski resort, so expect to pay London prices for beer and wine. Spirits are more expensive, so it may be worth bringing these with you if you fancy an apéritif before heading out in the evening. Each year a selection of bars in resort offer discounts to personnel attending the Championships, ensure you find out which ones these are when you arrive in resort.

Popular bars in Val Claret for après ski are Le Couloir, Le Coffee and Drop Zone; the Melting Pot has been the nightclub of choice for the past couple of years. Something not to miss is La Folie Douce – the infamous party on the mountain. Live bands play on the rooftops and the skiers and boarders party on the terrace, some dancing on the tables. The food is pretty average, but the party atmosphere is a definite must-try experience; just remember to head back to Tignes before the Tommeuses lift shuts!

Miscellaneous Information

There are ATMs situated in the main shopping areas and at the bus station.
The free buses run regularly from Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret between 0800-2000. From 2000 to 2359 they run every half hour and then hourly after midnight.
Couloir and Drop Zone both offer internet (either free for customers or paid-for Wi-Fi).

How much will it cost?
Eating and drinking in the resort is not cheap but there are ways to make it cheap. If you can bulk buy things like breakfast, sandwich ingredients and some drinks before getting up the mountain, it is always cheaper lower in the valley. Make your packed lunch before going out and eat on the slopes. Self cater where possible and cook your self – this will always be the cheapest option. Book with ETC and get the discounts in the restaurants and bars, look for deals around the venue which are available throughout the week.

Is it easy to get around?
Very – Tignes Val Claret is a small venue, walkable from any part. Always good for bumping in to old oppos! Maps are available but within a day you will know your way around.