Review: Tignes/Val D'Isere (Espace Killy), France

[valmorel]

Some great skiing in the trees off piste over on the La Daille side too. But Tignes can be really cold, esp in Jan.

[anaesthetic]

Resort: Tignes, linked with Val S'Isere in France

Date Visited: January 2009

Cost (from UK): £600 inc flights,7 nights HB hotel accomodation, transfers, 6 Espace Killy day lift pass

Slopes: Huge area linked with Val D'Isere. Good variety of intermediate terrain, includes world cup runs. Lacks beginner slopes. No snow fall when we were there so slopes were hard pack, but in good condition because of low temp at the high altitude. Looked like there was a park on each side of the mountain and a half pipe. Some slalom courses were set up too.
My favorite pistes were on the way down form Grand Mottes glacier and over on the Col du Palet and L'Aguille Percee side. Over in Val D'Isere the glacier pistes had best conditions and the cruise down to Le Fornet makes for a reasonable lunch stop. Pistes from Bellevarde down to La Daille village were enjoyable.

Accommodation: Stayed in Hotel Diva. Nice big rooms, but try and get one away from lift, it squeaked a lot, not too much of a problem after being out on the slopes all night i was out like alight most nights. Food was buffet style, decent quality and plenty of choice, but dining room staff a bit grumpy/stressed! Conveniently located, 1-2 minute walk in boots to main Val Claret lifts. Plenty of good bars and restaurants around slopeside area of Val Claret.

Tour Operator: Crystals, no complaints.

Pros: Large ski area, high altitude means good snow reliability, good accommodation

Cons: Wouldn't recommend for beginners
Convenient