Ski Holidays Espace Killy
Ski holidays in the Espace Killy region offer two of the World's most famous ski resorts: Val d’Isere and Tignes.
Together, they offer up to 300km of piste skiing, served by 90 modern lifts and 154 runs, making the Espace Killy one of the most extensive and reliable ski domains in the Alps.
With a high proportion of beginner and intermediate terrain, excellent snow reliability and world-class off-piste, the area suits everyone from first-timers to expert skiers and snowboarders.
Search prices & availability for all chalets in the Espace Killy ski area
Hotels in the Espace Killy ski area
Starting your Espace Killy ski holiday is easy with plenty of travel options to Lyon, Chambery and Geneva airports, giving you flexibility in choice of flights and a stress-free journey to and from the resorts. There are also several different train options from the UK to Bourg St Maurice which is only 45 minutes’ drive from either Val d’Isere or Tignes.
Ski Holidays Val d’Isere
The Telegraph – “both terrain and town add up to what is essentially the ideal ski resort.”Val d’Isere began as an alpine farming village clustered around a 17th-century church and today sits at 1,800 metres above sea level. Traditional stone chalets and luxury hotels sit alongside modern self-catering apartments, giving the resort its distinctive character.
Where to stay
La Daille offers a quieter base with excellent access to the Funival and gondola, making it ideal for skiers who value easy mountain access and peaceful evenings.
Le Fornet, a small hamlet further up the valley, is similarly calm and traffic-free. With only one lift accessing the ski area, however, it is less suitable for beginners.
The skiing
With relatively steep pistes returning to the village, Val d’Isere can be challenging at the end of the day, particularly for nervous intermediates. Higher up the mountain, pistes are immaculately groomed and links into Tignes provide easier cruising terrain.
For advanced skiers, Val d’Isere is a true off-piste mecca, offering steep European lines and long descents with a vertical drop from 3,600m to 1,800m. Eight access points from the village help keep lift queues manageable, even in peak weeks.
Snow park & après ski
The Oakley Valpark in the Bellevarde area features jumps, rails and boxes for all abilities and is particularly popular with children.
Val d’Isere is also famous for its après ski. The Folie Douce at the top of the La Daille gondola sets the tone in the afternoon, with live DJs and performances, before the party continues in town at bars such as Bananas and Cocorico.
Ski Holidays Tignes
If snow reliability is your priority, Tignes is hard to beat. Sitting at 2,100 metres with glacier skiing up to 3,456 metres, the resort enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps.
The villages
Tignes is purpose built rather than picturesque, but it excels in convenience. The lower villages of Les Boisses and Les Brévières offer more traditional charm, while Val Claret and Tignes Le Lac (known as Tignes 2100) provide immediate access to high-altitude skiing.
The skiing
From Tignes, skiers can easily explore Val d’Isere or head towards the Aiguille Percée for long, varied descents. The famous red run from the Grande Motte Glacier offers 1,350 metres of uninterrupted skiing back to resort level and is often skiable from mid-November.
Tignes is also known for its extensive off-piste terrain, powder fields and steep couloirs around La Grande Balme and La Petite Balme.
Parks & progression
With two snow parks, a beginners’ park, the Alps’ largest halfpipe, boardercrosses, slalom courses and airbags, Tignes caters exceptionally well for all abilities. In poor visibility, tree skiing in nearby Val d’Isere provides an excellent alternative.
Ski schools in Espace Killy
- Ultimate Snowsports – British based company that only employs the highest qualified ski instructors. They teach all levels of skiing to all ages, with a focus on performance.
- ESF – The largest ski school in France with a wide range of teaching styles. With one of the directors being English the quality of teaching for the British market has improved markedly in recent years.
- New Generation – Another British ski school that specialises in all realms of skiing. They take small groups for a more interactive session. They also take afternoon clinics specialising in bumps, turns, variable skiing, park and off piste skiing.
- Fresh snowboarding – Snowboarding school based in Tignes teaching anything from beginners to specialist tweaking in technique for maximum performance.
- iSki Val d’Isere – a group of French instructors and experienced mountain guides who specialise in off piste, possibly more suited to the experience skier.
- TDC – TDC is a good school for those first venturing off piste, offering beginner off piste lessons.
- Henry’s Avalanche Talk – Partnered with Val d’Isere, Henry’s Avalanche Talk is well worth attending if going off piste takes your fancy. There is a growing need of safety awareness for off piste skiing and Henry’s Avalanche Talk will not only inform you of the dangers of being off piste but will also give you the 'know how' to enjoy a safe and fun day in the back country.
Activities for non-Skiers
There’s plenty to do in Val d’Isère and Tignes even if you’re not skiing. From adrenaline-fuelled experiences to relaxing wellness options, both resorts offer a wide range of activities off the slopes.
- Ice driving & rally experiences – Learn how to drive a rally car on snow with professional instructors.
- Spa & wellness – Unwind in one of the resort spas, offering pools, saunas and relaxation areas.
- Snowshoe walking – Explore peaceful alpine forests and enjoy stunning mountain scenery and wildlife.
- Sports & leisure centres – Swim at the Centre Aquasportif or test yourself on the indoor climbing wall.
- Pala’Fou toboggan run – A 3km-long descent from the top of the Palafour lift, running Sunday afternoons from 4.30pm–7.00pm. Exhilarating, fast and not for the faint-hearted!
Please note the Pala’Fou is not suitable for small children, and don’t forget your thermals.
Accommodation in the Espace Killy ski region
With 250+ chalets in the Espace Killy area we really have every style and budget of property to choose from in the Espace Killy. Alternatively, stay in one of our recommended hotels in the Espace Killy. Whereas Val d'Isere has the broader choice of properties the hotels in Tignes arguably are cheaper.
