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Where to go in the Espace Killy for...
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With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite runs throughout the Espace Killy and suggested some itineries for you to try. There are also sections on where to find the best off piste, where you're most likely to find the quietest pistes, and where to find the nicest mountain restaurants for lunch. Happy exploring!
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| Leisurely Runs in the Espace Killy |
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Val d'Isere and Tignes have plenty of wide and gentle slopes ideal for those looking for leisurely and relaxed skiing. The modern and efficient lift system makes it easy to access the 22 green runs and 61 blue runs in the Espace Killy. ... see "Espace Killy Leisurely Runs" for more |
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Intermediate Runs in the Espace Killy |
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There is a vast choice of slopes in the high Alps where intermediate skiers and boarders can sample the stunning views whilst cruising down perfectly groomed pistes. The number and variety of runs on offer can be quite bewildering - 61 blue runs and 46 red runs make this area an intermediate's paradise. ... see "Espace Killy Intermediate Runs" for more |
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Advanced Runs in the Espace Killy |
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The Espace Killy has a fabulous range of terrain for advanced skiers, with 25 black runs to test yourself on. Tignes boasts the area's longest run, an exhilarating 10km black run called La Sache, that descends fromthe top of the L’Aiguille Percée and 'the eye of the needle', through a spectacular valley to Tignes Les Brévières. In Val d'Isere, there is the world renowned 1992 Winter Olympics downhill run called 'The Face' (pronounced Fass), which took Patric Ortlieb a mere two minutes to ski from top to bottom (we don’t recommend you try and match it!). ... see "Espace Killy Advanced Runs" for more |
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last updated 12-Dec-2007 |
| Our Favorite Runs |
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The Espace Killy ski area is so vast it can be difficult to know where to start skiing. So we have put together some of our favorite runs throughout the ski area. Whether you're into moguls, steep and long descents, or simply beautiful, quiet pistes with great snow, we hope that these suggestions will hit the spot. ... see "Espace Killy Best Runs" for more |
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last updated 20-Jan-2008 |
| Off Piste Skiing in the Espace Killy |
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It is important to stress that with off-piste skiing, there is not the security of a patrolled, some-times over-safe domain where risk taking is minimal. Skiing or snowboarding away from the marked slopes means higher risks including avalanches and accidents and the skier must be fully aware of this and the responsibility for himself and others.
The Espace Killy is one of the best places in the French Alpes for easily accessible, extensive off-piste. Please remember, the following is not a set of instructions or directions, and you go off piste at your risk. ... see "Espace Killy Off Piste Skiing" for more |
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last updated 12-Dec-2007 |
| Steep & Deep Runs in Val d'Isere |
The best steeps are to be found on the black runs but these are also often covererd in moguls. The most commonly pisted descents are Piste A down from the Solaise, Face down from Bellevarde, or Raye in La Daille. Arcelle, OK and Orange in Solaise and La Daille are classified as red pistes but are long and steep in places. OK is used for the alpine skiing world cup in the early winter. The un-pisted steep runs in Val are the Epaule du Charvet in Bellevarde, Piste S and Marmottons in Solaise, and Foret in Fornet.
For long descents:
• From the top of the Vallon de l’Iseran in Fornet (2762m), it is possible to ski all the way to the village (1930m) along the blue pistes Vallon and Mangard.
• In the Solaise area, from the top of the Glacier Express (2650m) you can ski uninterrupted to the bottom of the Laisinant Express (1900m) via Glacier and PisteL/Mattis.
• Pistes A, M and S are long, challenging runs beneath the Solaise Express cable car. (2560m-1850m)
• Similarly, Face descends 977m from the top to the bottom of the Bellevarde face.
• OK, Orange and the blue piste Diebold, run from the top of the Funival (2827m) to the bottom of La Daille (1785m).
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Deserted Pistes in the Espace Killy |
The geographical size of the Espace Killy area is generally sufficient to disperse the crowds of people who visit every week. You can avoid the queues that build at peak times around L'Olympique bubble or Solaise Chair by catching the bus up to Le Fornet and ski the Glacier de Pissaillas for the morning/afternoon. Often the snow conditions are best in the Espace Killy ski area as they are less skied out. For those with the appropriate experience and equipement, Le Fornet offers some of the best off-piste terrain also.
In Val's neighbouring resort of Tignes, the quieter areas tend to be around the L'Aiguille Percée and Le Palet. There is a vast amount of accessible off piste terrain to be had here too. |
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Bad Weather Ski Areas |
The best thing to do in this situation is to head slowly down the mountain as safely as possible. Usually, the lower you are on the mountain, the more visibility there will be as the cloud starts to get thinner. Another alternative is to stop in a restaurant, but make sure you have an obvious route down as the weather could get worse, not better.
If in the Le Fornet area, Le Signal is just at the top of the Le Fornet cable car so is a good stopping point. In a similar way, Tete de Solaise sits at the top of the Solaise Express chair and the Solaise cable car for an easy descent and you can get straight down from Folie Douce on the La Daille bubble.
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Mountain Restaurants |
There are several mountain restaurants in Val d’Isere and they all serve food of a good standard. They all serve similar types of food with combinations of local savoyarde options as well as the classic pastas, burgers, pizzas and salads. Unfortunately, they tend to be expensive at about €10 for a main plate.
Many of the restaurants are self-service – Tete de Solaise in the Solaise area, Le Signal in Le Fornet and Folie Douce and La Toviere in the Bellevarde area – and these are a little cheaper. For sit-down meals, it is possible to book a table and this is a good idea if you are skiing at peak times – Christmas, New Year or school half-term and Easter holidays. Popular restaurants include La Fruitière, and Le Triffolet in the Bellevarde area and L’Edelweiss in Le Fornet.
The town centre of Val d’Isere is closely linked to the slopes themselves and the restaurants and cafes in the centre are marginally cheaper than the mountain restaurants.
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
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