December in Tignes: What's on and weather

It's definitely cold here in December, with temperatures averaging from -7°C to 1°C, and around eight days of snowfall. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.

As Tignes is such a high resort where we enjoy colder temperatures, which in turn result in longer-lasting snow, we are also often subjected to high winds at the start of the winter season. This can often mean that the avalanche safety rating is higher and we need to take care of wind slabs which can release easily off-piste. The Tignes pisteurs (in yellow and black jackets) are also extremely friendly and helpful and will answer any questions you may have. If you’re having difficulty with the visibility in the storms, we recommend heading lower down to La Daille or Le Fornet on the Val d’Isère side, or to Les Boisses and Les Brevieres near the Tignes dam.

Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Fortunately, the ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queus. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

1. Group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
3. Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
4. Avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service.  
5. Seek out the peripheral areas. Try to avoid the busy main ski areas closer to town. 
6. Get off-piste. Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry. 

If, like a lot of people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, especially during the festive season, you can hit up any of a number of local opening parties and après-ski sessions. Down at the bottom of the slopes you'll find bars offering great music, delicious food and happy hours. For late-night entertainment, the clubs hold special nights on most days of the week.

There are, of course, plenty of parties and festive evenings to experience in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. If you’re looking for the perfect entertainment for your group, check out the bars' social media and local listings for updates of tinsel-inspired events.

New Year's Eve

Always a big night, the town is full of revellers popping Champagne corks. The restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.

Family fun for everyone

Christmas is synonymous with school holidays. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, Tignes puts on a show for them. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain. 

There's lots going on over the festive period in Tignes, aside from the whole ski area opening up and sporting events beginning up the mountain, you'll find festive markets along with a real childlike excitement as the big day draws ever closer. You'll be able to spend time with main man and enjoy numerous festive events. 

New Year's Eve

The New Year’s fireworks party on the snow front at Tignes Le Lac only grows bigger every year, and the midnight fireworks party in Le Lac on New Year’s Eve in infamous for the famous DJs it attracts.

December is a magical time of year to come to Tignes. Book your holiday now and enjoy Christmas in the snowy Alps.