A Dream Winter Ski Vacation

by Jennifer Doncsecz

Have you ever dreamed of a winter vacation in the Alps?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was an all-inclusive resort in the Alps that included skiing and other snow activities?

Luckily, there are several amazing, all-inclusive ski resorts scattered throughout Europe (the Alps), Japan, and even in Canada. For years, Club Med has been operating incredible ski resorts, which are very popular among international clientele. After a successful launch of Club Med Quebec Charlevoix in Canada last year, Canadians and Americans have caught on to their all-inclusive ski resort brand options. They are flocking in mass to Europe to experience the beauty of winter vacationing in the Alps.

Club Med’s brand-new Tignes resort is located about 2 1/2 hours south of Geneva, Switzerland, in the French Alps. The Tignes skiing area is one of the most sought-after winter sports locations in Savoie, with over 300km of slopes and reaching up to 3,456m above sea level! The Club Med Tignes is close to the Chevril and Tignes lakes and sits near next to La Vanoise National Park with direct access to the ski slopes.   Sitting next to several ski lifts and an underground funicular that ascends to the top of the peaks, this location is perfect for viewing the glaciers and has easy access to ski or snowboard down the varied levels of runs with its prime ski-in/ski-out facility.

This new Club Med resort features 430 rooms. The rooms range from standard double to 2-bedroom family suites, and there are also 25 Exclusive Collection 5-star suites. The Club Med Tignes has ski-in/ski-out access, two restaurants with international cuisine, a full-service spa and restorative salt wall, and the largest indoor heated pool in the Alps. The Children’s Clubs include a wide range of activities and ski lessons for kids. Also included is ski/snowboarding instruction that is suitable for every level.   Even the most experienced skiers can benefit from the individual advice of ski mountain professionals. Both children and adults can take lessons from an ESF instructor, with ski lessons available beginning at the age of 4 and snowboard lessons starting at 8 years of age! Lift tickets are included for your length of stay. When purchasing an air-inclusive vacation, even round-trip airport transfers are included.

Club Med has thought of everything a winter sports enthusiast would need. This is further demonstrated by their direct access ski room at the foot of the slopes. Every guest is provided with a free locker that comes complete with a heated area and a blower for gloves. In this locker room, there is also a beverage stand with options for hot beverages, cold water, or a potent after-ski libation. Right next to the locker area is their sport rental warehouse, where guests can rent top-of-the-range equipment, including skis, snowboards, boots, and helmets. They also have experts that can repair equipment too. 

The main area, or heartbeat of the resort, is the Equinoxe bar/lounge, which features a wrap-around bar, cozy chairs, huge picture windows with breathtaking views of the peaks of the alps, and a large inviting fireplace. Afternoon tea is served here as well as light snacks in the morning.   At night, this location also hosts captivating entertainment and late-night music/dancing parties. This beautiful lounge also leads to a south-facing outdoor terrace and heated pool. Their gourmet Le Solstice restaurant serves lunch and dinner. However, for the more relaxed dining experience, there is Val Claret restaurant, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. The lunch times go through to 3pm for those wanting to make the most of their slope time. The decor of this resort utilizes natural wood, slate stone, and scenic artwork that embodies a modern mountainside chalet. The rooms all have alpine tones, subtly blended with a contemporary design, and all feature balconies where one can relax and enjoy the picturesque mountain views.

Club Med Tignes offers a wide range of all-inclusive activities, including cross-country skiing, yoga sessions, fitness classes, and arts/crafts demonstrations. Additional optional adventure excursions can also be found, including paragliding, bungee jumping, ice diving, glacier walks, dog mushing, and sledding.

Having traveled recently to Club Med’s new Tignes resort for their grand opening event, I was in awe of the service, the location, the all-inclusive amenities, and the mouth-watering food. I spent my daylight hours skiing along the dozens of slopes that range in difficulty. One morning, I took the subterranean funicular to the highest peak. I enjoyed the views while eating a French charcuterie display al fresco with a warm mulled wine before skiing down to the resort at the base. Another day, I put my thrill-seeking to the test and jumped off the slopes in an epic tandem paragliding excursion. Each day by mid-afternoon, the long ski trails, mountain air, and high altitude always led me back to the resort’s warm fireplace lounge. The scenic views created great conversations with other international guests. After dinner each evening, professional musicians and singers entertained until late at night. The entire experience surpassed all expectations. If you are considering a winter alpine escape, look no further than Club Med’s Tignes resort. For information about Club Med’s all-inclusive ski vacation packages, reach out to ski/snow experts at VIP Vacations.

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