Espace Killy, France

Espace Killy is a vast ski area located in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Rhone Alps, combining two of France’s premier ski resorts, Val d’Isere and Tignes. A collection of pretty stone and wood chalets, Val d’Isere is the perfect place to stay if you want to be absorbed into a fusion of traditional village charm and stylish, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Higher in altitude, Tignes is less picturesque but more snow-sure – ideal if your primary concern is for excellent skiing. Consisting of 5 villages, each different in appearance and atmosphere, you can tailor-make your stay in Tignes to suit you.

Whichever resort you stay at, you’ll no doubt find utterly incredible skiing. The Espace Killy area is a high altitude ski domain, with 155 powdered pistes covering 300km. 88 ski lifts provide safe and convenient access to a mixture of runs for all abilities, especially intermediates for whom Espace Killy is a ski Mecca. With a high altitude and 2 skiable glaciers, it is a popular destination if you’re looking for some top-quality, snow-sure skiing. The ski season tends to go on longer than in other resorts, so it’s a good option if you’re looking to holiday in early/late season.

It goes without saying that the resorts in Espace Killy are fantastic for skiers, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that they’re great for non-skiers too. The area hosts a huge range of indoor activities, and there are plenty of alternative ways to experience the surrounding area. In the Espace Killy, all ages are looked after, whether you ski, board or prefer to stay off slope.

Intermediate and advanced skiers are spoilt rotten in the Espace Killy, where there’s a multitude of runs both on and off piste from long, gentle cruises to invigorating steeps and moguls. Various ski championships are hosted on Val d’Isere’s impressive pistes with the '92 Olympics, World Alpine Ski Championships in 2009 and World Cup every December. In light of this, world-class runs in Val include the Olympic men’s downhill run, Face, and the OK run which features in the annual World Cup. Higher up in Tignes, the exhilarating 10km of the La Sache run is another must ski. There are 2 glaciers in the Espace Killy: Pissaillas in Val d’Isere and the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes. If you’re seeking some snow sure skiing, you’ll find some great runs both on and from these that are skiable nearly all year round. Off-piste opportunity is abundant in the Espace Killy area (debatably some of the best in Europe), and there are also 9 slalom courses, a mogul field and a gliss’ park for freeriding.

If you’re snowboarding in Espace Killy, you’ll have an incredible time. Both resorts welcome boarders with open arms, keeping pistes open and drag lifts to a minimum. With 2 snowparks, DC Valpark in Val and the Swatch snowpark in Tignes, there are obstacles, jumps, rails and airbags to suit all abilities. Tignes also hosts one of the best halfpipes in France and there are 9 safe ‘Naturide’ environments for freeriding. If you’re feeling competitive, Tignes has a challenging 1,400m boardercross as well as a mini one in the Gliss’ park and a Boardercool area. Over in Val, there’s a gentle Acticross area for family fun.

You’ll find some of the greatest après ski in the Espace Killy, with top drinking venues including Loop bar in Tignes and Dicks T Bar and Folie Douce in Val. Whether you prefer a sophisticated piano bar or merry chaos, your tastes are bound to be met in one of the many night spots. There are over 100 restaurants to choose between on the mountain and off, from Michelin starred establishments through to traditional and international cuisines.

Off the slopes you can ice-skate on Val d’Isere’s incredible natural rink or take an exhilarating ice-dive in the lake at Tignes. Amongst numerous outdoor activities, both resorts also have great walk trails and offer snowshoeing, husky rides and sledging runs. If you’ve had your fill of fresh air, you can swim, hit the gym, relax in a spa or play in one of many indoor sports courts.

Little ones are well looked after in Val d’Isere and Tignes, making both resorts a great destination for families. There are great childcare services to ensure you make the most of the slopes and après ski during your stay, as well as plenty of organised activities so families can enjoy the snow together.