Guide to Val d'Isère

Val d'Isère and the neighboring resort of Tignes form a single skiing area L'Espace Killy, named after the Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy, who was born here. Every year Criterium de la Premiere Neige competitions are held here, and in 2009 Val d'Isere hosted the World Alpine Ski Championships.

The slopes around the resort are conventionally divided into three sectors: Bellevarde (2770 meters above sea level), Solaise (2560 meters above sea level) and Col de l'Iseran (2765 meters above sea level). Higher up is the Pissaillas glacier (3300 meters above sea level). The best black piste, where only the pros ski, is Face. It is famous for its 63% gradient. Less extreme, but also quite difficult descent - Oreiller-Killy.

For beginners, the Madeleine piste in the Solaise area and some slopes in the Col de l'Iseran area are suitable. For cross-country skiing there are 24 kilometers of slopes, the longest of which is Manchet (6 kilometers).

At an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level is the Valpar Oakley snow park. It is designed for freestyle fans with any level of training: from beginners to experts. There are jumps, 25 jibbing figures, a boarder-cross course, half-pipe and big air.