If you want to try something different in Tignes other than hitting the slopes then why not try Ice Climbing. Whether you are an experienced climber or a beginner you can have a go at ice climbing on Tignes frozen waterfall.
If you are a beginner and have never climbed before then a mountain guide will teach how to climb the slightly scary but incredibly beautiful looking ice waterfall. Avaliable twice a week with a minmum group of four needed in the training session you will learn all the basics of climbing and will be provided with all the relevant equipment and guidance.
You can also tackle the ice waterfall as an experienced climber, but you must still be in part of a group and a guide will be at hand to help you when needed.
Ice Diving
Tignes offers you the opportunity to try a completely unique experience - Ice Diving. In Tignes Le Lac you can plunge into the icy cold waters of the lake and experience the thrill of diving under the icy layers above. Explore the beautiful water, the wildlife and ice formations found in the freezing water.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced diver you can have a go at ice diving. Evolution2 and the Ecole de Plonge sous Glace will provide you with all the equipment and instruction you need and will take you on this underwater adventure. Ice diving is avaliable from 11am to 4pm everyday from mid Decemeber to early April.
Mountain Biking on Snow
Once the pistes are closed, the mountain empty and the sun setting you would think the only thing happening would be piste grooming.... Well not in Tignes!! Now you can race down the empty slopes on a mountain bike.
Grab the gondola up and race, bump, slide and enjoy your descent down the snowy mountain on two wheels. The activity costs around 50 euros, which may seem steep but can definitely be worth it with the beautiful view, the sun setting and the thrill of the experience, plus it includes the rental of the bike, safety gear and a guide to take you down.
Ice Driving in Tignes
Have you ever fancied whizzing around on the ice in a car? Well now you can in Tignes. Ice driving is a specialised activity that will test your driving skills and push you and the car to your driving limit. The cars all have specialised studded tryes and during an ice driving session you can learn how to control and have fun with a car sliding around on ice.
It is an exciting adrenaline pumping activity, but with special techniques and skills demonstrated and learned you come away having greater knowledge and experience on how to control a car in snow and ice. You can take part in a group or as an individual although we recommend you head down with some friends and enjoy the icy fun together.
The Ice driving takes place in Tignes Les Breviere and with a great track you will skidding, turning and braking as an ice driving pro in no time. It is opend from early December to mid March.
Ski Joering in Tignes
Ski joering is the original drag-lift. Before Pomas, chairlifts and cable cars were installed in the mountains the only tow to be found was either behind dogs or horses. Although the mechanisation of ski lifts has meant that we can now easily move around our resort of choice if you are looking to get back to grass roots, or if you fancy a trek through the woods away from the queues and ski schools then ski joering might be for you.
Ski joering hails from Scandinavia, indeed the word ski joering itself means ski driving in Norwegian. In France the preferred style is to use a rider-less horse which is controlled by the skier. A rig with reigns is connected to the horse’s bridle and the skier is towed along behind the horse on skis, holding onto the rig. The skier steers with vocal commands and by pulling on lines connected to the horses bit.
Competitive ski joering is practiced all over the world. In France the skier guides the horse around a slalom course or takes on another skier in a head to head race. In North America a rider guides the horse while the skier negotiates a series of jumps and obstacles.
Away from the competitive scene ski joering is a sport that is suitable for all ages and rides can be tailored to suit any standard of skier, from a gentle hack to a gallop through the snow.
Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up! Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies or some mountain guide companies. Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snow-capped mountain tops, glaciers and alpine forests of the Espace Killy.
Unfortunately, heli-skiing is not permitted in France, however some of the ski schools and mountain guide companies will offer a pick-up/drop-off heli skiing service for you where you will be taken over the border into Italy or Switzerland. It is expensive, but definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Husky sledding in Tignes
Traineaux a chiens
Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs, driving them along forest paths. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start (you shout "mush!"), and strict instructions not to let go of the sled if it turns over (the dogs would disappear for hours...), you set off following the guide’s team. Your huskies want to keep up with their doggy mates, so the next hour is a breathless scramble to keep the sled upright, trying to control the speed downhill, and hanging on for dear life when you tear around corners. Going uphill you have to help push the sled, so this is hard physical work.
If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work! Either way it is an exhilarating experience – you can find contact details on our Activity Companies page.
Glacier Walking in the Espace Killy
For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking on one of the Espace Killy’s Grand Motte or Pissaillas glaciers. The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible adventure. There are a number of glacial hikes, of varying difficulty, in this region of the Alps. Most mountain guiding companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible.
From around €40 for adults and €20 for children you can discover the Grand Motte Glacier with a guide, who will show you the glacier and the surrounding landscapes. You will also visit the Grotte du Glace (Ice Grotto) and have lunch at Le Panoramic restaurant at a height of 3032m. For an extra €4 you can join the optional downhill walk into Val Claret, a vertical drop of 932m. This walk is available to all ages but can be a bit tough on the legs! These excursions are organised for 3 to 4 times a month so check with the Tourist Office or the STGM lift company for details of the exact dates.
To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.
Paragliding or Parapenting in Tignes
If you’ve never tried paragliding before (…..or maybe you’re not entirely sure what it is!) then Tignes is a great place to learn how to fly. Known as “parapenting” in France, today there are a great number of clubs and organisations in the area whose sole purpose is to get you flying. So, if it is something that you have always fancied trying, or if you would just like to know a bit more about what it involves and who can do it...
Snowshoe Walking in Tignes
Raquette à Neige
Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. On these half day group outings you will get off the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley. Snowshoes and ski poles are provided. See activity companies for details of guiding companies who do snow shoe walks.
You can also hire snowshoes from most Sports Shops, grab a trail map from the Tourist Office and head off on your own adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go. This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions or for non-skiers, and walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Don't forget to take energy bars and wear comfortable (waterproof!) boots.
Many people would not automatically think of Tignes as a place to come shopping, however the resort boasts a diverse range of stores that are guaranteed to suit sporting lifestyles. As you would expect from an outdoor sports Mecca, there's a choice of sports stores & high fashion labels that offer a good range of clothing in all shapes and sizes for all tastes.
Cross Country Skiing (Ski de Fond)
Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. more »
