If you haven’t got time to take a full week skiing, then why not consider a ski weekend in Tignes. You can often get nearly as much time skiing as you do in a week with only 2 or even 1 days holiday from work. The problem often is that ski weekends in Tignes can cost nearly as much as a weeks skiing. But…… if you are happy to go with budget options a Tignes ski weekend needn’t cost a small fortune.

We’ve listed a few good options for Tignes ski weekends. All these Ski Weekend Tignes hotels / chalets are available to book for any number of nights.

Ski weekend TIgnes

Chalet Chardons – budget Tignes ski weekends, in fact any days available. Situated in Tignes Les Brevieres, the lowest point in Tignes but good links into central Tignes Le Lac and higher, and a shorter transfer!

Mountain Sun – Tignes ski weekend again based in Les Brevieres, but a higher standard of accommodation. Still relatively cheap though! Prices from £63 pp per night, including half board (with wine I think.) Watch out for supplements though

UCPA – ski weekend at the UCPA in Tignes Val Claret is about 50m from the piste, and there’s a drag lift to the nearest lift so you don’t have to walk uphill. We’ve been on ski weekends in Tignes early and late (late) season and can guarantee that it’s fab. UCPA Tignes Ski weekend deals include full board, ski hire and Espace Killy lift pass.

Grand Motte, Tignes

The last two seasons I have skied in Tignes over the May Bank Holiday weekend and the conditions have been fantastic for the time of year. To get the most out of the conditions try and get on the slopes as early as possible, then finish skiing around 3pm and enjoy a cold beer in the sun. Unfortunately I have a wedding to attend so won’t be making the trip this year but for those who are planning to go have a great time!

Believe it or not in one month’s time the winter season gets underway in Tignes! From 26^th September it’s all go with the Tignes ski area opening gradually, starting with the Grande Motte glacier at an altitude of more than 3000m. Then on 28^th November the whole of the Espace-Killy Tignes-Val d’Isere area will open, with 300kms of pistes to be enjoyed.

Tignes have got lots of offers for the Espace-Killy opening weekend which include 2 nights’ accommodation and a 2 day Espace Killy ski pass, with a 3^rd days skiing for free. Prices start at €109 per person sharing a studio for 4 to €169 euros per person in a 2* hotel on a B&B basis, sounds very tempting doesn’t it! For more information and bookings contact: Tignes Reservation 04 79 40 03 03 or visit www.tignesreservation.net

If November skiing is a bit early for you then why not stay in Tignes in January FOR FREE! This fantastic offer is valid from 2^nd to 9^th January 2010 and when you buy four 6-day adult Tignes ski passes you get a studio apartment for 4 for FREE! In other words €185 per person for the week. Again, for more information and bookings contact the Tignes Reservation service: 04 79 40 03 03 or visit www.tignesreservation.net

Crystal ski have also a great half board option in Tignes for the 12th December. Stay at Hotel Tignes 2100 (Tignes la Lac) and take advantage of their ski plus deal for only £469. The price includes half board (including wine), flights from London (other airports available), ski pass and equipment hire. That really is a bargain. Visit Crystal Holidays website for further information.

This year Tignes have also introduced a new all inclusive deal, when you buy a liftpass you can also go swimming and skating for free. Ski on 300kms of piste in the Espace Killy Tignes – Val d’Isère ski area and swim at ‘Le Lagon’, the swimming pool in the aqua centre on the banks of the lake, then head to the natural ice rink on the frozen lake at the heart of the resort. This offfer is valid from 28 November 2009 to 2 May 2010 when you buy a 2 to 15-day Espace Killy Tignes – Val d’Isère ski pass, 1 free swimming pool admission per day and 1 free ice rink admission per day.

Time to start digging out my gear methinks

Tignes lies within the Espace Killy, one of the World’s most extensive linked ski domains consisting of 300km of Europe’s most thrilling and technically demanding terrain. The main ski areas are La Grande Motte, the Col du Palet, Tovieres and the Brevieres and here we pick our favourite runs from these areas.

1. Descente – from the top of the Grande Motte cable car, Descente is a steep black that thrills. You’ll be surrounded by about 50 people coming off the cable car so just stick around for a bit and admire the view whilst everyone else heads off and then get the run to your self.

2. Double M – Once you’ve come down Descente head towards Double M, which is second on our list. This is a great run into Val Claret, a long red which always pleases after spending time on the glacier.

3. Piste H – for intermediates the blues in the Tovieres area are perfect practising ground. Feeling like a challenge, pop off Piste H onto red Crocus, it’s a quick short red down to Combe Folle lift.

4. Col du Palet area - here you’ll find Le S.P.O.T. This is where advanced skiers can practice off-piste in a safe, secure area, the pisteurs ensure here that the avalanche risk is as low as possible. The Guerlain Chicherit run is a serious off-piste run, and will be quiet and perfect for practising before heading into more remote off piste.

5. Sache – an extremely long black run down to Les Brevieres 1,200 verticle metres will take your breath away, literally. It’s relatively ok at the top but gets bumpy at the bottom. If you want to give it a go but aren’t that confiden you can escape the difficult bottom part by diving onto the red about half way down.

6. Corniche – from Corniche blue run you will be able to see the famous Eye of the Needle (shown left with me in front of it!) From Corniche you can either head down onto Sache or continue on a blue of red into Tignes Le Lac.

There are so many good runs in Tignes we can’t possibly list them all, but hopefully this will give you a snapshot of the runs you must have a go at.

Grand Motte glacier

The funicular takes you from Val Claret to the Le Panoramic restaurant which is open all summer providing the ideal location  for a well earnt bite to eat and drink.

The lifts open at 07.15am so make sure you don’t drink too much vin rouge the previous night.  The top cable car is open and the drag lifts and two chairlifts are due to open, depending on conditions.   Last lift is at 13.00pm giving you plenty of time to try out other activities or catch up on your sleep.

For more information take a look at ski-tignes website.