Grande Motte
Mountain Glaciated Alpine peak with ski resort access
Near Tignes, the Grande Motte glacier peak features a high-altitude cable car and summer glacier skiing; visitors come for long runs, mountaintop panoramas and access to Haute-Tarentaise hiking.
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Grande Motte is a high Alpine summit in the French Alps located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, notable for its glacier and lift access from the Tignes ski area. It is a major feature of the local ski and mountain landscape, with an elevation of 3,653 metres.
The massif was developed for alpine tourism and skiing during the 20th century with the installation of lift infrastructure to provide reliable access to the glacier and summit areas. Ongoing glacier management and lift upgrades have supported its role as a ski destination.
Grande Motte sits above the Tignes valley in Savoie, within Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in southeastern France, and forms part of the Tarentaise alpine landscape near other major ski resorts.
- Elevation: Peak elevation is 3,653 metres, making it one of the higher lift-accessed summits in the French Alps.
- Summer access: Summer glacier skiing and guided glacier walks are available when the glacier is in skiable condition, accessed via the summit cable car from Tignes.
What to See #
- Summit: The summit peak reaches 3,653 metres above sea level and forms the highest point of the Grande Motte massif.
- Cable car access: A long-established cable car lifts visitors and skiers from the Tignes resort area to near the summit, providing access to the high-altitude glacier and panoramic routes.
- Glacier: The high-altitude glacier on the mountain supports summer snow sports and glacier walking when conditions allow.
How to Get to Grande Motte #
Grande Motte is served from the Tignes ski area. Drive to Tignes via the D902 from Bourg‑Saint‑Maurice (the main road into the Tarentaise valley), park in Tignes‑le‑Lac and take the Grande Motte cable car/gondola from the Tignes lift station up the mountain. The lift station is a short walk from the village centre and parking areas in Tignes‑le‑Lac.
Tips for Visiting Grande Motte #
- Take the Grande Motte cable car from Tignes early in the day for the clearest views and to avoid later-afternoon cloud build-up and lift queues.
- Check lift and glacier access schedules before you go-summer glacier walking and the panoramic terrace open seasonally and conditions can change quickly.
- If you want quieter viewpoints, step off the main terrace onto short marked paths below the summit rather than staying at the busy top station.
Best Time to Visit Grande Motte #
Visit Grande Motte in summer for hiking and glacier access or in winter for skiing; conditions vary strongly with altitude.
Weather & Climate near Grande Motte #
Grande Motte's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -14°C to 7°C. Moderate rainfall (804 mm/year).
January
January is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. The wettest month with 86 mm of rain and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -10°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and breezy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and breezy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and breezy conditions.
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May
May is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and breezy conditions.
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June
June is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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July
July is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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October
October is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and breezy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -9°C. The wettest month with 86 mm of rain and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and breezy conditions.
