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Esapce Killy combines two of France’s best ski resorts, Val d’Isere and Tignes, creating 300 km of downhill skiing with over 150 pistes and 90 ski lifts. The area is perfect for families with a fantastic array of pistes for all abilities with gentle nursery slopes and 2 snowparks, as well as challenging Olympic black runs for those looking for more of a challenge! Each resort has its own character, but both provide excellent family friendly facilities and entertainment. This article will help you decide which resort is best for you and what you can expect on your adventure to one of France’s best ski areas.
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Tignes is a purpose-built ski resort, built after the flooding of the original village in 1952 with the construction of a nearby dam. The new Tignes is designed to make access to the slopes as easy as possible at an altitude of 2100 m. There is a great array of accommodation available, with chalets, apartments and hotels of all stars and budgets. Most are built directly onto the piste, allowing you to ski directly to the lifts. The resort has different areas each with its own character. Quiet Les Brevieres is at the bottom of the dam and consists mainly of traditional chalets , Tignes 1800 is the reincarnation of the old village built around a reconstruction of the old church, Lavachet is another quiet area near the lifts, Tignes le Lac next to the lake formed by the dam forms the heart of the resort and is a haven for shopping, spas and restaurants and finally there is Val Claret where the party happens! There is something for everyone in this snow sports paradise with a great array of facilities for beginners and two snowparks.
The resort is a traditional Alpine village built around a 17th century church and oozes Savoyard charm. It is the most popular resort for British travellers and has excellent facilities catering for all needs. Val d’Isere enjoys a great selection of boutique hotels, 5 star hotels and luxury chalets and apartments, as well as an extensive selection of mid-range and budget accommodation options. There are up-market shops and plenty of bars and restaurants with a great nightlife. The resort has three sections with a free shuttle running between them. The quiet hamlet of La Daille is at the entrance to the resort and is 3 km from Val d’Isere centre which forms the heart of the resort and then Le Fornet at the foot of the Col de l’Iseran. Val d’Isere is best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers with challenging pistes, such as the renowned La Face. However, recent developments on the Solaise mountain have greatly increased the areas suitable for beginners.
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The Espace Killy region encompassing both Tignes and Val d’Isere covers 300 km of varied pistes. Tignes is arguably better for beginners with lower and gentler slopes, especially into the resort, but there are plenty of areas suitable for beginners at Val d’Isere too!
At Tignes there are 4 beginners’ areas with nursery slopes, one at Val Claret, Les Lac, Le Lavachet and Les Brevieres. Each area has beginner friendly lifts with a child friendly carpet lift at Val Claret and slower drag and chair lifts in the other areas. Once you have found your feet a bit on the 20 green pistes, you can progress to some of the 67 blue pistes. Tignes gives you plenty of chance to hone your skills! You can easily spend your holiday just exploring these slopes.
There are 2 main beginner areas in Val d’Isere with nursery slopes. There is one right in the centre of the resort and the other can be found at La Daille. Beginners can make use of the resort’s 12 green pistes and 24 blue pistes, with plenty of opportunities to practice. There are 3 free ski lifts in the centre of the village with access to 2 easy green slopes and 2 small lifts in La Daille. Once you have gained more confidence you can progress to the Solaise area above the centre on the resort gondola. There are plenty of easy runs around the Glacier and Madeleine at the top with opportunities for more of a challenge too! There are gentle pistes and even some more rapid ski lifts to help you with your practice.
If you have a family of mixed abilities or are at a more advanced level then Val d’Isere is a better option with a higher altitude and some more challenging runs to enjoy. However, as the resorts are well connected to the whole Espace Killy region, it is easy to move between the slopes.
There some runs you do not want to miss out on. Make sure to check out La Sache from Tignes down to Les Brevieres for a long challenging run. If you want to experience stunning views across the mountain with some challenging pistes then head to the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes. In Val d’Isere the Lost Valley run to La Daille is great fun and there is the O-K World Cup Downhill route with plenty of varied terrain for a bit of a challenge.
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If you are a complete beginner, then taking lessons with a professional is highly recommended, but lessons for more advanced abilities are also a great idea to improve your skills. There are plenty of high-quality ski schools to choose from in Espace Killy with something to suit all family needs. You can choose from group lessons or private lessons and there are also kindergarten schools for the little ones.
One of our favourite schools is TDCSKI which offers lessons in both Tignes and Val d’Isere. They like to do things a bit differently and with great results! TDCSKI ensures that their lessons are tailed to your individual skills and learning needs, rather than a one size fits all approach. You can take a group lesson or ‘clinic’ as TDCSKI calls them, which are deliberately a small size to allow more personal coaching. There is also the option to take a private lesson to really focus on your individual development. No matter your level, TDCSKI can help you hone your skills and become a fantastic skier or snowboarder!
If you want a break from the piste, there are plenty of other activities in Espace Killy to keep the family entertained. There are spas and indoor swimming pools, if you are looking to relax, cinemas and multi-media centres where you can catch up on your emails or play video games and of course there is a fantastic selection of bars and restaurants. Or if you want to explore the mountains in a different way you can try your hand at dog sledding, horse-riding or if you are feeling really adventurous, there is paragliding, heliskiing and the Bun J Ride at Tignes!
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You will find excellent childcare services in both Tignes and Val d’Isere, so that you can leave the kids in safe hands when you need a break. There are babysitting services, day care, ski schools and kids’ clubs all offering your children fun and support.
ABSki Childcare pride themselves on their professionalism, passion, and personal approach to childcare, leaving you with one less thing to worry about. during your holiday in Tignes. Your nanny will plan your child’s day based on your requirements and will provide a fun and educational service to ensure that your child has a great holiday. Activities are physically and mentally engaging and at the end of the day the nanny will show what your child has been up to all day with photos or creative artworks. ABSki gives you complete peace of mind while you are tackling those challenging pistes!
Whether you want 5-star luxury or a basic room, catered or self-catered, or traditional or modern, you will easily find the perfect fit for your family in Espace Killy. Val d’Isere offers traditional Alpine character with its ancient wood and stone buildings, while Tignes offers modern purpose-built snow sports accommodation right onto the pistes.
There are a host of websites out there to help you find your ideal accommodation, but one of our recommendations is definitely Simply Val d’Isere. You just have to check out their testimonials to see why! With over 20 years’ experience in the resort, Simply Val d’Isere offers great expertise on accommodation options with over 300 apartments, 150 chalet holidays and 30 hotels bookable through the website. If you need any advice, the friendly staff are more than happy to help and you can rest assured that your booking is safe. Each booking is 100% financially bonded, so you are fully protected. You are sure to find exactly what you are looking for with Simply Val d’Isere!
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So there you have it, out short guide to family friendly Espace Killy. This area has so much to offer the whole family and is somewhere you can return to time and time again.