Winter Activities

Since the 1960s, Tignes has moved forward considerably and is rapidly becoming one of Europe's top ski resorts. The days when farming was the sole activity are long gone and instead a cosmopolitan community has built up.

The big attraction of visiting Tignes in the winter is obviously the skiing and snowboarding - there are pistes and terrain for everyone - from the total beginner looking for lessons to the experience rider wanting to check out some of the amazing off piste - maybe with the help of a guide. Some people even come just for the apres ski! Throughout the year there are special events and activities going on in the resort, have a read of the news section for updates.

On the mountain there are also two great snow parks in the area - one in Tignes and one in Val d'Isere. The larger, and better of the two, the Val d'Isere snowpark is situated on the Bellevarde/La Daille sector (2500m) and can be reached from Val d'Isere by the Daille funicular, the Bellevarde cable car (the "Olympique") or from the centre of Tignes by the Bollin Express (Val Claret) and the Aeroski in Le Lac. The French Snowboard Federation has approved the Val d'Isere park, proving it is of a very high standard.

What's in the park?

The snowpark has 2 draglifts, 1 three seated chair lift and 1 rope tow which service

• • 1 half pipe
• • Different hips and jumps for all standards
• • 2 quarters
• • Hand rails: 1 Fun Box; 1 Rainbow, several single, double, high & low rails
• • 1 boarder cross for all levels.

A wooden hut which has

• • a webcam
• • a repairs corner
• • a PC to check out the photos of the day
• • a recreational area is also available with music, BBQ facilities, chairs and tables for you to take it easy as well!

The Tignes park is found at the bottom of Les Lanches lift in Val Claret. The park here isn't so big and isn't as well serviced as there is only one tow rope, but it is still worth checking out. There are, however, a range of kickers and rails and two half pipes - one for beginners and one massive one! The Tignes park is expertly transformed twice a year for the Jib Vid and the Tignes Airways (it's just a shame they don't leave it like this for the whole season!)

Tignes and its neighbour Val d'Isere are obviously mainly focused on winter activities and because of which, they are widely considered as just winter destinations. However, both resorts are ploughing more resources and money into making the area an all year round holiday destination. Check out our summer activities section to see what’s on offer, the recent improvements and plans for the future...

If you’ve been to Tignes before you will be fully aware of the immense skiing area and terrain available (if not, check out our piste map section for a description of the area and the runs on offer) but what you may not know is all the other activities that are on offer to you during your stay. The local authority has realised in recent years the need to develop and improve the activities and services on offer off the mountain, and in doing so being able to offer visitors a more varied and complete holiday. Because of this there are now loads of other things you can do if you want to take a break from the slopes. It’s sometimes the case that bad weather drives you off the mountain, you have a non-skier in the group or you simply want to have a change and give your body a slight rest. There is plenty going on in Tignes that doesn’t require you to grab your skis or to strap onto your board!

Other activities

Cinema

Generally the screenings are at 6 and 9pm but during the winter when the weather is bad there is also a showing at 2.30pm.

Listings are shown on posters throughout the resort and on leaflets in all the tourist offices. The films vary between French and English, but they often have subtitles so everyone can follow them. The main cinema is in Val Claret next to the entrance to the Parking du Golf. There is also a cinema in Le Lac not far from the main roundabout.

Dog-pulled sledge rides

Husky dog sledge racing round the lake has become increasingly popular, especially with kids, and it is certainly a new experience for most people.

Flights

Why not take a flight over the picturesque mountains and have a birdseye view of Italy and Mont Blanc? If you interested in sightseeing tours and mountain aviation courses in Tignes contact: Aéroclub du Palet (flying club) +33 (0) 479 065 760. It’s also possible to take helicopter rides as well.

Horse riding

Take a horse ride around the lake and along local trials.

Hotel Spas open to public

If you are after a bit of pampering and luxury, then several hotels are open to the public including L'Ecrin des Neiges, Les Bains du Montana and Campanules Hotel. The huge sports complex opened this summer in Le Lac not only has a swimming pool but also a number of Jacuzzis and saunas, well worth a few visits during your holiday.

Ice diving

For the divers, a truly surreal experience is to go scuba diving underneath the frozen lake in Le Lac. Unlike diving with a wet suit, it’s possible to wear thick clothing under the dry suit to keep you warm. By all accounts there is quite a bit to see down there and the still quiet water under the ice can make for an eerie dive. For the best dive, head out on a clear day so the sunlight can penetrate the layer of snow and ice. We haven’t experienced it yet but it’s definitely on our list of things to do!

Paragliding

This is a must-do activity, only we haven’t mustered up enough courage yet! The idea is to ski off the side of a cliff and swoop around over the resort until you float back down, guiding yourself back down towards the lake. Until you’re qualified and feel capable it’s possible to do this with an instructor, making it a little less scary!

Equipment and clothes

There is a wide variety of shops across the resort offering ski and snowboard hire. Pricing between shops is fairly competitive so you are likely to pay a similar amount wherever you go. With snowboard hire it is preferable to go to a specialist snowboard outlet as you are likely to receive better quality equipment than from a general hire shop.

Supermarkets

The main supermarkets in the resort are part of the Sherpa chain, there are two in Val Claret, and one in Lavachet. There is also a large Spar in Le Lac. Again they open early and shut for lunch. It’s worth noting they become very busy at the end of the day once the ski lifts close.

Spa and Jacuzzi

The Aquatonic Fitness Centre Spa in Tignes is one of two of its kind in France. A complex jet massaging system in connected pools provides hydro massage as you take a lap through the different sections of the pool. There are also some in the new swimming complex in Le Lac.

Bowling

The bowling alley in Tignes Le Lac is the highest in Europe - not that you can blame your score on that! It has ten lanes and games are €7.60. It’s open until late and often has quite a lively atmosphere.

Fitness Centre & Gym

The Spa in the Fitness Centre (Le Lac), Lac du Tignes Espace Forme (Tel: +33 (0) 479 400 440) offers weights, saunas, Jacuzzis, steam baths, squash courts, indoor golf simulation, climbing wall, fitness rooms and two indoor tennis courts. Les Baines du Montana (Les Almes, tel: + 33 (0) 479 400 512), has an indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, beauty parlour, massages and endermologie treatment programmes.

Aquatonic

(Le Val Claret, tel: +33 (0) 479 402 556) has an aquatonic treatment course (walking against a current, leg jets, geysers, aquatic chairs, swan neck showers, whirlpool bath, hydrojet pool, aquabeds), aquagym, fitness, cardio training, weight training, beauty treatments, sauna, Turkish bath and body treatments.

Snow-shoe hiking and walking

You can hire a guide to take you on a hike or pick up details of trails around Tignes from the tourist office. Don’t forget to go well prepared for every situation. It is important to remember that the weather in the mountains can be extreme with rapid changes in conditions, and if walking it may take a while to get from A to B.

Shops

The main shopping areas are in Val Claret and Le Lac, although there are shopping areas in all the villages although lower down, Les Boisses only has a few shops. There are shops to cater for all your tastes and needs. In true French style the shops tend to open quite early in the morning (about 8am) and close at noon for a two-or four-hour lunch break – there’s need to over do it up here! They then reopen until around 7pm. There is also Market in Le Lac, open two days weekly, which is great place to buy local produce.

Art & Exhibitions

The original village of Tignes lies under the Lac du Chevril which was created by the building of the dam. Check out the history of Tignes section for the full story and personal accounts or you can visit the resort's Heritage Centre to see and hear the emotional story of how the villagers were forced to abandon their homes to make way for the dam and then how in later years how the ski resort was built and developed. Exhibitions are also held throughout the year, details of which are posted in the Maison de Tignes.

Snowmobiling

Tignes Snowmobile (Le Lac) +33 (0) 479 064 378

There are a number of other activities that are also on offer: cross Country skiing (various tracks, including routes around the lake), quad biking and 4x4, ice-skating, squash at the sports centre, aerobics, weight training, heli-skiing, parapenting, paragliding, ice climbing, ski-biking, ski-do, hangliding as well as indoor and outdoor swimming.