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Ski area Tignes-Val d'Isère (Espace Killy): a paradise for advanced skiers. The skiing area Espace Killy near Tignes and Val d'Isère is one of the best skiing areas in the world for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Large, varied, enormous differences in altitude and very snow guaranteed. The off-piste possibilities are excellent and you can make long trips in the area.
The modern lifts are fast and you will find few beginners and children on the slopes. Look for peace and quiet or enjoy après-ski. Spend the night in an authentic village or in a large apartment complex between the slopes. A quick bite or delicious dinner. It's all possible in the ski area Tignes-Val d'Isère.
The ski resort of Tignes Val d'Isère is also known as Espace Killy. The name refers to the legendary and successful French skier Jean-Claude Killy. Tignes-Val d'Isère is a large and wide ski area. It stretches from the village of Tignes Les Brévières in the north-western valley to Pointe du Montet on the glacier on the south-western side of the ski resort. The ski area has two glaciers: the Grande Motte and the Pissaillas.
The lifts are fast and the connections between subareas are excellent. Wherever you spend the night, you're actually good in the whole ski area. The ski area is mainly aimed at advanced skiers. For beginners there is less to experience. Also, the area is not particularly child friendly. This is mainly due to the high altitude and corresponding cold. With the Espace Killy ski pass you can go on everything slopes in the ski area of Tignes-Val d'Isère. Reduced rates apply in low season. Children up to 4 years old ski for free and seniors get a discount.
The ski pass is very expensive. You get a beautiful, large and snow-sure ski area in return. For beginners and children, the question is whether it is worth the investment. For example, you can save costs by choosing a cheaper ski pass for the Tignes area only. This is a 1-day pass of 50 euros. Such a ski pass is especially attractive if you don't visit the slopes every day.
The characteristics of the Espace Killy ski area near Tignes Val d'Isère are shown in the table below. Here you will also find a link to the ski map of the ski area at Tignes and Val d'Isère.
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Characteristics ski area Espace Killy near Tignes-Val d'Isère |
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| Highest point | 3456 metres |
| Lowest point | 1550 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes | 300 |
| Green slopes | 20 kilometers |
| Blue slopes | 150 kilometers |
| Red slopes | 78 kilometers |
| Black slopes | 52 kilometres |
| Villages | Tignes, Val d'Isère, Val Claret,
Tignes 1800 les Boisses, Les Brévières |
| Snow security | Very high |
| Après-ski possibilities | Very good |
| Child-Friendliness | Moderate |
| Oportunities for beginners | Barely |
| advanced options | Very good |
| Post ski pass (6 days) in 2018 | € 285 |
| Ski lesson costs (4 days x 4 hours) | € 150 - € 220 |
| Cost lunch on the slopes | € 5 - € 35 |
| Best travel period | December to March |
| Travel time from Chambéry airport | 1 hour and 50 minutes |
| Distance to Utrecht | Only 1120 kilometres |
| Pistecards | Ski map ski area Tignes-Val d'Isère |
Tignes is located on the northwest side of the skiing area Espace Killy. The village is not authentic, but very practical. You will find many high-rise buildings and concrete, but also a number of beautiful chalets, hotels and apartment complexes. The accommodations of Tignes are located directly between the slopes. So you can get on the slopes and do a direct descent. Or take one of the lifts that take you higher up the mountain. The village has several shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of opportunities for après-ski. If you want until the late hours. Due to the high altitude of Tignes at an altitude of 2100 meters, during the winter months it is always white in the village.
Val d'Isère is located on the southeast side of the skiing area Espace Killy. There are several lifts that will take you to the top. You then really in all directions. Unlike Tignes, Val d'Isère is a beautiful and authentic mountain village. The oldest buildings of Val d'Isère date from around the year 1600. The village street is cozy and has many nice shops, restaurants and nightlife. Furthermore, in the Val d'Isere you will find several traditional hotels and chalets, but you can also spend the night in an apartment in a large complex.
In the fifties a lot of work was done with concrete in Val d'Isère. In recent years, more and more concrete complexes have been replaced or embellished with wood and natural stone. This certainly benefits the atmosphere and authenticity of the village. Other famous villages in the ski area of Tignes-Val d'Isère are Val Claret, Tignes 1800 les Boisses and Les Brévières. Val Claret lies at an altitude of over 2100 meters and is a luxury ski in - ski out village between the slopes. Val Claret is not authentic. You will mainly find large concrete apartment complexes. The après-ski is cozy and lively.
Tignes 1800 les Boisses and Les Brévières are located on the edge of the Espace Killy ski area. With fast lifts you're quickly in the ski area. Tignes 1800 Les Boisses is modern and stylish. You'll find all kinds of accommodation here, including charming chalets with lots of wood and natural stone. Because of the high altitude it is often white in winter. Les Brévières is an authentic village at the reservoir. No concrete blocks and high-rise buildings, but charming chalets and traditional buildings. Its location at 1550 meters does not detract from the certainty of snow. During the whole winter it is white here and the descents are fine.
| Village | Height (m) | Dal | Lift | Snow | Price | Authentic village | Après-ski | Kid | Achievable |
| Tignes | 2100 | + | + | ++ | - | - | ++ | +/- | - |
| Fall d'Isere | 1850 | + | + | ++ | - | + | ++ | +/- | - |
| Fall Claret | 2150 | + | + | ++ | - | - | ++ | +/- | - |
| Tignes 1800 les Boisses | 1800 | + | + | + | +/- | + | - | + | +/- |
| Les Brévières | 1550 | + | + | + | +/- | + | - | + | +/- |
The ski resort of Tignes-Val d'Isère is large and varied. Here you can ski or snowboard in the real high mountains. There are also plenty of downhill runs through the forest. Due to the size of the area there are new slopes to discover every day. There are a number of green and blue pistes in Espace Killy. However, the ski area at Tignes-Val d'Isère is not particularly suitable for beginners. Many easy slopes are high and isolated on the mountain. The downhill runs to the valley are generally quite difficult. This means that as a beginner you usually have to take the lift back and forth.
The most beautiful slopes for beginners are above Tignes. Also around Les Brévières you will find a number of beautiful and simple slopes. Due to its location on the edge of the ski area is often quiet.
The snowpark in Val d'Isere offers many possibilities for freestylers
Advanced winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves in the Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area. Endless pistes and endless variety. Picturesque runs, high mountain peaks, beautiful paths between the trees, hardly flat stretches, few beginners on the slopes, long descents and excellent opportunities for tours. Beautiful and challenging black slopes in the area are for example the Face de Bellevarde, Le Mur de Solaise and the long Oreiller Killy.
Off-piste possibilities are available in all difficulty levels. Take an off-piste route along a piste or make a long freeride tour with a guide. There is also plenty to do for freestylers. Beginners and professional freestylers are well catered for in the famous and big snowparks of Tignes and Val d'Isère. In the ski area you'll find a lot of cross-country skiing trails. Night skiing is possible on the floodlit slopes in several villages. The ski area is also ideal for winter hiking, ice climbing, ice diving, ice karting, ice skating and shooting.
Go on an adventure under the ice in the lake at Tignes
Val d´Isere is not one of the most child-friendly ski resorts in France. The area is very large and the simple slopes are often high on the mountains. The difference in height of some of the lifts is also considerable for the youngest children. Older children can not go alone in the area. Connection slopes are often too steep and the area is too vast. Because of the high altitude it can be cold and bleak in the ski area. Especially in December, January and February. For children this is not very pleasant. Do you go later in the year, then the temperatures are more pleasant.
Fortunately, it's not hopeless. For example, you can go to Tignes with the children. In this high-altitude village you're right on the slopes. Here you'll find a number of excellent children's meadows. Also Val d'Isere is quite high. Near the village square you will find a good meadow for the little ones. For slightly older children with some experience, the descents around the village are soon too steep. Val Claret has a beautiful children's meadow. The village is busy and in winter it can get quite cold because of the high altitude.
Tignes 1800 is a bit more child friendly than most other villages in the ski area. Small-scale, on the edge of the ski area and therefore quite quiet. Both the slopes above the village and the children's meadow are fine. Les Brévières is a bit lower and is the most child friendly. Less cold, fine children's meadows and a cozy family village.
The ski area Tignes Val d'Isère is high. It is one of the most snow-sure areas of France. Most villages in the area are covered with a white blanket of snow during the winter months. Especially the ski in - ski out villages Tignes and Val Claret at an altitude of over 2100 meters. Due to its favorable location, the ski area regularly receives snow from both the west and east. And the warm hairdryer has hardly any chance of melting the snow. In the middle of winter it can therefore be quite cold and bleak on the high slopes.
Because of the favorable and high altitude you can already visit the ski area in November. The snow conditions are excellent until late April. The snow quality is optimal between mid-December and mid-March. The snowiest parts of the ski area are the two glaciers. On these glaciers you can even ski all year round.
On the glacier La Grande Motte you can also ski in summer
The area has snow cannons. These are used when there is little snowfall. However, this is hardly necessary.
Après-Skiing is excellent in the Espace Killy ski area. Immediately after skiing for example in one of the cosy bars. Or until late at night in a chic club with live music. Large parties and events are also regularly organised in the skiing area. Do count on high prices for drinks. The famous après-ski bar la Folie Douce was born in Val d'Isère. You will find this bar on the slopes and it is very festive in the afternoon. The après-ski in the village of Val d'Isere is chic and exclusive. If money is not a problem, this is the place to be for a luxury party.
Also in Tignes and Val Claret you'll find various cosy après-ski venues. Have a drink in a bar or party until the sun comes up. Don't forget your jacket, because it can be pretty cold when it's dark outside. Discotheque Le Melting Pot in Val Claret is a must if you want to go out in the evening. Just like the Loop Bar at the bottom of the slopes near Tignes. The other villages in the ski area do not excel in après-ski. In Tignes 1800 you'll find a number of bars, but it's certainly not exuberant après-ski. Also in Les Brévières you should not be for a party.
Beginners can book ski and snowboard lessons at one of the ski schools in the Tignes Val d'Isère ski area. Lessons are also a good idea if you already have some experience, but would like to master the technique better. You can arrange the ski lessons on the spot, but you can also book in advance in the Netherlands. For adults and children there is a choice of group lessons and private lessons. For private lessons you pay more, but you often learn the technique faster. For group lessons, assume an amount between € 150 and € 220 for 4 lesson days of 4 hours
A private lesson will cost you about € 250 for 4 hours. Of course you can also arrange a private instructor for a group. Then you are cheaper per person.
Long the slopes in the ski area Tignes-Val d'Isère you will find all kinds of restaurants. Not exaggerated, but there is plenty of choice. Cheese fondue, pizza, tarte tartin, a large wiener schnitzel with chips or a well prepared piece of meat. When it comes to dishes, you can go in any direction. The prices are quite high, but the quality is excellent. Go for a cheap quick bite of a few euros or opt for a luxury multi-course dinner for a few tens.
The ski area is very popular, big and snow sure. The prices for accommodation, food and the ski pass are therefore also quite high. You can choose from different types of accommodation. From a luxury star hotel in Val d'Isère to a simple chalet in Les Brévières. Of course, each accommodation has its own price tag.
Ga for luxury and accommodation in Chalet Hotel in Val d'Isère
Valley Val d'Isère and Tignes are very expensive and chic. In Tignes you can still find some cheap accommodations, but then you have to search really hard. You simply can't find a cheap apartment or other cheap accommodation in Val d'Isère. In the restaurants of Tignes and Val d'Isère you pay a lot. In Val d'Isère you can find some cheaper restaurants.
In Tignes 1800 les Boisses and Les Brévières you will find especially beautiful chalets. It's not cheap. However, due to its location on the edge of the ski area, the price-quality ratio here is much better than in the other villages. Many and cleverly placed lifts, long descents, stewards who help you get in and few beginners. Although it can be busy on the slopes, you rarely have to wait at the lifts. The size of the area also makes it easy to look for quiet descents. The side of Tignes is usually busier than Val d'Isère.
To get to the ski resort of Tignes-Val d'Isère, take the motorway to Albertville. Then you continue on inland roads to your destination. From Albertville it is connecting in line. The route takes you along several large ski areas, such as Les Trois Vallées, Les Arcs and La Plagne (Paradiski). The ski area of Tignes and Val d'Isère the last in line. Especially during holiday periods, on changeover days and with heavy snowfall it is very busy on the road. Winter tires and snow chains are recommended.
You can also take the train or plane to the ski resort of Tignes-Val d'Isère. You then travel by Thalys to Bourg Saint Maurice and take the bus there. To find out more about Thalys timetables, visit the website of NS Internationaal. You can also take the bus to Espace Killy. There are several organisations offering bus trips to the French ski resorts. From Schiphol or another airport you can fly to Chambéry. Flying is not ideal, because you are about 2 hours after the flight to the ski area.
Ponderful views from the high peaks, wonderful descent between trees, good food and cozy après-ski. You'll find it all in the Espace Killy ski area near Tignes and Val d'Isère. Especially as an advanced winter sportsman you can find your happiness here. Because of the high and favorable location and the two glaciers, you can enjoy the snow all year round. In short, Tignes-Val d'Isère is a good choice for an unforgettable winter sports holiday!
