Lady’s Guide to Things to Do in Tignes

It’s no secret that ski season in the French Alps isn’t always the snowiest. While resorts open, many don’t operate at full capacity if the snow isn’t plentiful. But even with less snow than normal, there are still a lot of things to do in Tignes in winter.

How to Get From London to Tignes

I’m here as a guest of Crystal Ski Holidays and France Montagnes, having flown from London to Geneva and enjoyed a scenic two-and-a-half-hour transfer to the Alps.

Skiing in Tignes

The mountains are looking a bit bare, but the Grand Motte glacier means that there’s always snow in Tignes and my group manages to ski on the open runs.

I’m impressed by how big the ski area is, and there’s even an option to ski over to Val d’Isere when the snow is plentiful.

Things to Do in Tignes

But skiing is just one of the many things to do in Tignes, and when I’m not on the slopes, I find a lot to entertain in the five villages.

The resort itself isn’t the prettiest in Europe. There are a few lovely chalets and several hotels with colorful window shutters and painted alpine flowers, but much of the architecture favors function over style.

Even so, the mountains offer a dramatic backdrop to a range of activities.

Ice Diving in Tignes

Ice diving, for example. Most of my group dons dry suits to go scuba diving under the ice-covered lake in Tignes Le Lac, exploring the frozen world below the surface.

Tignes Spa

I’m not as enthusiastic about this idea, but I’m happy to sit in the nearby spa admiring the lake and the mountains from the comfort of my own hot tub.

The spa in Tignes, which is called Le Lagon, sits right on the lake and is open to the public.

I’m impressed by its pristine facilities, two big swimming pools—one with a giant water slide—and wellness center with no less than four hot tubs, a sauna, a steam room, and a relaxation area.

I’m here in the morning, and I have the whole place to myself. Spa-going quickly becomes one of my favorite things to do in Tignes.

Restaurants

Beyond activities and relaxation, I find plenty to eat and drink at the restaurants in Tignes.

There are pizzas and burgers at La Taverne des Neiges by the entrance to the slopes in Tignes Val Claret.

And there’s sinfully rich tartiflette—a mountain dish of potatoes, cream, lardons, and Reblochon cheese all baked together in a casserole dish—in lovely surroundings at L’Escale Blanche restaurant on the lake.

But perhaps my favorite restaurant in Tignes is La Table de Jeanne, a cozy place with quintessentially alpine decor in Tignes Val Claret.

I have a great dinner here, complete with huge pots of cheese fondue and thick wooden boards covered in charcuterie. I’m also introduced to the local liqueur, genepi, a sweet aperitif made with alpine herbs.

Apres Ski in Tignes

And speaking of drinks, the apres ski in Tignes is also fun. Dominated by the student population, at night the bars and clubs fill up with people from all over Europe.

Everyone is looking for a good party after a long day of skiing—or ice diving, or spa-going, or eating, or any of the other things to do in Tignes.

Best Things to Do in Tignes

By the time I leave Tignes to continue my ski trip in the French Alps over in Val Thornes in the 3 Valleys, I barely notice the lack of snow.

There’s so much to do in Tignes beyond skiing that I could easily spend a week here mixing time on the slopes with a lot more winter fun. And maybe that’s what I’ll do next time, regardless of the snow conditions.

Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!

New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.

Pin it!