The Espace Killy is a ski area shared by both Tignes and Val d’Isère, and it is regarded as one of the best ski terrains in the world for reliable snow, and normally the snow is skiable frommid-November to the first week in May. With a combined ski area of 300km of pistes and probably the best lift-served off-piste skiing anywhere, it’s easy to see why the Espace Killy is one of the most visited ski areas by intermediate and expert skiers from all around the world. It was the site for skiing at the 1992 winter Olympics. Located deep within the Haute Savoie mountains on the edge of the Parc National de la Vanoise and close the Italian border, the two resorts have quite different personalities. Val d’Isere is spread along the long valley floor connecting to three lift systems, which require complimentary bus connections. The town has history and is home to many luxury hotels and chalets. In comparison, Tignes (2,100m), which is located in a separate valley, was purpose-built in the 1960s and comprises a number of village developments somewhat dominated by high-rise concrete towers. Thankfully newer developments are being built with a far more sympathetic approach. For beginners it would probably be wise to stay in Tignes, where ski runs close to resort are forgiving. In Val d’Isere most runs to resort are either intermediate or expert grade including the infamous ‘Wall’ on Face de Bellevarde. Both resorts are extremely well provided for with many fine restaurants, bars and quality accommodation. However, it would be fair to say that Val d’Isere has gained a famous reputation for its vibrant apres-ski scene, no doubt reinforced from early afternoon by the final run stop-off at the Alp’s first FolieDouce piste-side bar, where the liquid flows, the music howls and tables groan under the weight of ski-boot clad dancers! Off the wall, off the piste and off the chart in the Espace Killy
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