Hilary Everitt with Club Med ambassador Billy Morgan in Tignes
Dancing around with a trio of eight-foot-high robots adorned in flashing LEDs is not what Hilary Everitt expected from her trip to the traditionally tranquil resort of Val Claret in Tignes.
My companions and I were still digesting our supper when a siren summoned us to get up and dance with a group of gyrating robots who had entered the buffet restaurant where we were eating. From here the robots led us down to a theatre where a spectacular light and music show got the evening’s activities underway.
This was Club Med entertainment at its most bizarre, part of what you can expect at a spanking new resort in the company’s vast alpine portfolio.
Among the guests during my stay in Tignes were Olympic Bronze medalist and snowboarder turned TV Presenter Billy Morgan and former Olympic team-mate Aimee Fuller, who were there as Club Med ambassadors.
The tour operator has another new Espace Killy resort in neighbouring Val d’Isere. With these two new offerings, Club Med now boasts 14 resorts in the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. Traditionally aimed at families, for which it is ideal, the company is keen to entice couples, groups and even stag and hen parties. Plus, singletons are positively encouraged.
Anyone who is familiar with Club Med knows that entertainment is the name of the game and ‘all Inclusive’ is the deal. Children of all ages are well catered for with plenty of activities to keep them amused and a huge team of ESF instructors on hand to keep them, and anyone who wants a lesson, busy on the slopes. There is a dedicated ESF desk to make life easy.
Lighting up the dance floor – Robots invite Club Med guests to join them
The humongous ski room is connected to the hire shop if you need any help with your equipment or just want to try another set of skis or snowboard. Club Med is partnered by Rossignol and the hire shop has huge racks of brand new shiny skis and boots to choose from.
And there’s no time wasted queuing for your equipment because when you arrive it will be waiting in your locker for you, which is opened with a remote wristband presented to you for the duration of your holiday.
The ski room leads straight onto the snow, a few metres from the Tichot chairlift which whisks you into the vast Tignes/Val d’Isere ski area. The all-Inclusive arrangement means you can return for lunch if you want.
A huge privilege for me was being able to hit the slopes with Billy and Aimee for a couple of hours. I was able to admire the two Olympic teammates cruising the pistes and nipping off onto the sides to demonstrate a few little tricks and jumps. Compared to Billy’s incredible performance in the inaugural Big Air competition in PyongChang in 2021 which secured his ‘brown’ medal, as he calls it, this was merely playful messing around.
The new Club Med Tignes has been recognised for its environmental credentials
Club Med gives guests a fun and hassle-free experience. And if you love the campest of camp entertainment – that includes après ski with a string quartet playing Queen’s Greatest Hits, accompanied by a lady twisting and curling around on a hoop suspended from the ceiling – then it’s right up your street.
Robots, DJs, live bands, dancing until the early hours, plus all you can eat and drink with ski pass and lessons included – the new Club Med Val Claret has it all.
TRAVEL FACTS
- Club Med Tignes is the first project that has BREEAM accreditation at ‘Very Good’ level, recognising its environmental credentials with photovoltaic solar panels, heat pumps and responsible insulation. The company has also planted 100 local species of tree around the resort.
- Instruction in skiing, snowboarding, and cross country, is available for all levels from beginner to advanced, plus there are ski kindergartens.
- Also offered are Nordic walking, snowshoeing, fat biking, paragliding, bungee jumping on skis, ice driving, glacier walks and sledging.
- The ‘Exclusive Collection Space’ – Le Sommet – offers large suites with balcony and lounge with a communal Welcome Lounge, exclusive room service, a concierge service, private drinks and private ski room.
Visit clubmed.co.uk for full details including child discounts.
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