300 km
1550 m - 3456 m
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Test report Espace Killy (Val d'Isère, Tignes)
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Espace Killy (Val d'Isère, Tignes)
Total result: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Test Espace Killy (Val d'Isère, Tignes)
The review Espace Killy (Val d'Isère, Tignes) was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Test result: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Skiresort.info Test Winner 2011:
Among the Top 10 best ski resorts worldwide >>
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Espace Killy (Val d'Isère, Tignes)
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Through the combination of Val d´Isère and Tignes to form Espace Killy, there are now 300km of slopes available to winter sports fans. The ski resort is one of the ten largest in the world.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
20 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1906 m (Valley 1550 m - Mountain 3456 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
88
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 12 ← 9
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 12 ← 9
No slope desires are left unanswered in Espace Killy! Optimally prepared slopes stretch from 1550m to just short of 3500m to the Grande Motte Glacier and the Glacier de Pissaillas. There are numerous easy, intermediate and difficult slopes. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, expert, or freerider, you will find limitless slopes to fit your style.
Runs/slopes
Total 300 km
Easy
170 km
(57 %)Intermediate
78 km
(26 %)Difficult
52 km
(17 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
20 km
Longest run
6.5 km
Run location
Glacier, above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Public race course with time measurement
There are mainly modern gondolas and chair lifts in the Espace Killy ski resort. Most of the chair lifts are rapid and detachable, but almost none have bubbles. The t-bars can be used, but it is not necessary. Tip: The quick Leissieres chair lift connects 2 valleys and soars over a mountain top - a true lift experience.
Number of ski lifts
88
Total capacity
147694 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
95.8 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
2
3
6
43
33
1
Additional
2
The entire ski resort is very snow reliable due to the high elevation. Almost all runs are at over 1850m altitude. Good snow conditions are guaranteed from November until May. The two glaciers (Grande Motte and Glacier de Pissaillas) always have the best snow conditions. The main runs have snow-making capabilities all the way down to the valley.
Worth knowing
- Glacier ski resort
- Artificial snow-making
848 Snow canons
50 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2008/2009
250 Days open
155 Days when valley run open
155 Days when valley run open
Season 2009/2010
255 Days open
145 Days when valley run open
145 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
In the winter, the only access is via Albertville-Moûtiers-Bourg Saint Maurice. A mountain road leads from Bourg Saint Maurice up to the ski resort. Day guests can access the resort already in Tignes Les Brevieres at 1550m. The road goes further to the dam of the "Lac du Chevril". At the dam, it turns left towards Val d'Isère or right towards Tignes. There is a parking fee at most parking lots and they are located next to the lifts.
Access via N90 Schnellstraße Albertville-Moûtiers, Ende Schnellstraße Höhe Moûtiers
- Sache (Tignes), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 50 km · approx. 48 Minutes driving time
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot,
- L´Olympic Cable Car (Val-d’Isère)
Distance: 58 km · approx. 58 Minutes driving time
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Tarred parking lot, for a fee
- Aeroski Gondola (Tignes)
Distance: 59 km · approx. 59 Minutes driving time
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, for a fee
Winter Closure
In the winter, the only access from the North is via Albertville-Moûtiers-Bourg Saint Maurice. The following passes are closed in the winter: Col de l’Iseran (end of the road in Val d´Isère Le Fornet), Kleiner Sankt Bernhard (French: Col du Petit Saint-Bernard; Italian: Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo), Cormet de Roselend
In the winter, the only access from the North is via Albertville-Moûtiers-Bourg Saint Maurice. The following passes are closed in the winter: Col de l’Iseran (end of the road in Val d´Isère Le Fornet), Kleiner Sankt Bernhard (French: Col du Petit Saint-Bernard; Italian: Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo), Cormet de Roselend
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well: ski lifts, slopes, free lifts, difficult ski lifts, beginner areas, snowparks and halfpipes, summer ski areas, restrooms, restaurants, etc.
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well: ski lifts, slopes, free lifts, difficult ski lifts, beginner areas, snowparks and halfpipes, summer ski areas, restrooms, restaurants, etc.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
The information boards in the ski resort are very clear and helpful. The slope markings could border the slopes a bit better. In the entrance areas of the lifts, there are overhead information boards with useful information about the lifts.
The information boards in the ski resort are very clear and helpful. The slope markings could border the slopes a bit better. In the entrance areas of the lifts, there are overhead information boards with useful information about the lifts.
An eagle is featured in the logo of Val d´Isère. Under the motto "Save your logo", the resort is very active in the protection and conservation of eagles. The village of Tignes is mostly car free.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
Nearest train station in Bourg St Maurice (30 km) - Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
The friendliness of the staff is commendable, especially at the lifts. Guests are always greeted in a friendly manner and the employees are always helpful during lift entry.
There are ski huts and restaurants distributed throughout the ski resort. In the villages of Val d´Isère and Tignes there is also a wide variety of restaurants directly on the slopes. Foodies and those who love beautiful ski huts will find what they are looking for.
25 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
La Fruitière
At the La Daille gondola lift (Val d´Isère)
Gourmet high altitude restaurant with a large wine cellar (available for rent for small events). Wide selection of fine wines and cheeses.
-
La Grande Ourse
Directly on the slopes in the village of Val d´Isère 1850
Very famous and traditional restaurant
Mountain hut tip
-
L´Edelweiss Hütte
On the run to Le Fornet
Very beautiful mountain restaurant with a fine kitchen and good wines.
Photos
Numerous bars and restaurants await the winter sports fans in Tignes and Val d`Isère. La Folie Douce, which is in the ski resort, is very interesting. Tignes is more focused on partying. Those who like to party the night away will find the right spot.
-
La Folie Douce Val d'Isere
At the La Daille gondola lift (Val d´Isère)
Daily Après-Ski Party. Sometimes up to 1000 people are dancing here in the afternoon. Live DJ on the balcony.
Photos
Val d´Isère 1850 is a famous international ski village as well as an authentic town in the heart of the Savoyard mountains. The village offers high quality accommodations with numerous 4 and 5 star hotels as well as many 2 and 3 star hotels. Many of them are located directly on the slopes. Tignes is one of the highest ski villages in the French Alps at 2100 metres. The guests are international. Most of the hotels are located directly on the slopes. Unfortunately, there are also some large concrete hotels in Tignes.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are very many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Tignes 1550 Les Brévières
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Tignes 1800 Les Boisses
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km - Tignes 2100 Le Lac - Lavachet
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Tignes Val Claret
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Val d'Isère 1850
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Val d'Isère La Daille
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Val d'Isère Le Fornet
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
Espace Killy is very well-suited for families. There are large children's areas and free practice lifts with special beginner's slopes in all of the large villages. Children as of 18 months are accepted in the children's village in Val d´Isère. Tobogganing, family specials and events complete the offering for families.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
Special tips for children
-
Children's area of the ESF Val d´Isère 1850
Large children's area in Val d´Isère 1850 with covered magic carpet. Many practice lifts nearby.
-
Children's area of the ESF Val d´Isère in La Daille
Children's area in Val d´Isère La Daille
-
Children's area Les Marmottons - Village d'Enfants
Large children's area in Tignes Le Lac
-
Children's area of the ESF Tignes Le lac
Large children's area in Tignes Le Lac
-
Children's area of the ESF Tignes Val Claret
Large children's area in Tignes Val Claret
There are beginner's areas set up at many of the villages of Espace Killy. There are even free practice lifts for beginners (Tignes 1550 Les Breviere, Tignes 2100 Lavachet-Le Lac, Tignes Val Claret, Val d'Isère 1850, Val d'Isère La Daille). There are many easy slopes and special runs for slower skiers (piste tranquille - marked in green on the trail map). A very large area with slopes for slower skiers is located at the mountain station of the 3 person L'Olympique cable car (Val d´Isère 1850).
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Free practice lift/ beginner lift
Ski schools on-site
Photos
There are very many advanced runs, such as the Sache and Face Olympia runs, as well as numerous ski routes for experts. Freeriders will appreciate the over 10,000 hectares of offpiste terrain. These should be explored with experienced ski guides. The ski guides are familiar with unique and hidden tours.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
- many mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 300 km
Difficult
52 km
(17 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
20 km
Most difficult run
-
Sache · Length 3 km · Altitude difference 1150 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
Espace Killy offers two first-class snowparks for snowboarders and freestylers. Various Top Events, such as the 2011 Winter X Games Europe in Tignes, always take place here.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- valpark
Large snowpark at the Mont Blanc chair lift and the Slalom j-bar (Val d´Isère). The first-class park offers many jumps and obstacles for beginners to pros.
- swatch snowpark
Large snowpark at the Grattalu chair lift (Tignes). In addition to jumps and obstacles from beginner to pro level, there is an air jump (landing on a large air bag). A great place to practice rotations. There is also a boardercross course. First-class park!
- Halfpipe
Large halfpipe in Tignes
- Acticross
Small boardercross course at the Borsat Express (Val d´Isère) - perfect for the family.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Corner / Hip
- Boardercross
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 30 km
There are snow secure, beautiful tracks throughout the entire Espace Killy resort. They are not all connected though.
Trail tip(s)
-
Val d´Isere
Length: 44.0 km ▪
-
Tignes
Length: 20.0 km ▪
Photos
Conclusion
Very large ski resort, wide variety of runs, beautiful panorama, no deposit for lift tickets, snowparks
Parking fees in the village, race courses with 2,00 Euro fee
Test Report issued on 2011-03-22
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