LUXE Serendipity magazine

Winter arrives early in the French Alps this year as Tignes prepares to swing open its lift gates on Saturday, 22 November, becoming one of the first major resorts to launch the 2025/26 ski season. Over the next 163 consecutive days, skiers and snowboarders will have access to 300km of pistes across one of Europe’s highest and most snow-sure domains, crowned by the majestic Grande Motte glacier at 3,656 metres.

Fresh Tracks on Opening Weekend

With fresh snowfall forecast in the coming days, early-season enthusiasts have good reason to dust off their skis. Opening day begins at 9am at the Perce-Neige funicular in Val Claret, whisking guests up toward the glacier for those iconic first turns of the winter.. Once the legs are warmed up, make your way to the newly upgraded Aiguille Percée six-seater lift—a key final piece in the modernisation of the Tignes le Lac and Tignes les Brévières lift network. The improved system promises smoother, faster access to some of the resort’s most scenic terrain.

A Dazzling New Tradition: Torchlit Descent

This year’s opening comes with a spectacular new highlight. At 5:30pm on Saturday, 100 ski instructors and members of the Tignes Sports Club will glide down from 3,456 metres on the Grande Motte glacier in the season’s first torchlit descent. The glowing procession will illuminate the slopes en route to Val Claret, culminating in a lively après-ski celebration that brings together locals, athletes, and visiting skiers—a magical way to welcome winter.

Les Étoiles du Sport 2025

Just a day after opening, Tignes plays host to Les Étoiles du Sport (23–27 November), welcoming more than 150 elite French athletes, including Olympians and Paralympians. The event pairs established champions with emerging talent, making this year’s gathering especially poignant less than three months before the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Tignes has long been a training ground for winter-sport hopefuls, and the resort will once again be buzzing with pre-Olympic ambition.

Tignes–Val d’Isère Ski Area Opens 29 November

A week after Tignes welcomes its first skiers, the full Tignes–Val d’Isère ski area will open on 29 November. With 74 lifts and 300km of marked slopes ranging from 1,550m to 3,450m, it is one of Europe’s premier ski domains—renowned for its variety, reliability, and sheer scale.

Early-Season Lift Pass Rates

22–23 Nov: €40 per day

24–28 Nov: €50 per day

Tignes–Val d’Isère (29 Nov–12 Dec): €65 per day

Winter Season (13 Dec 2025–14 April 2026): €75 per day

Whether you’re chasing early-season powder, eager to witness a glowing descent down the Grande Motte, or looking to ski in the tracks of future Olympians, Tignes offers one of the most exciting season kick-offs in the Alps. Winter is officially on.