Val d'Isere and Espace Killy

The huge Espace Killy, which includes Val d'Isere, was given that name in honor of Olympic triple-gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy, who learned to ski on these mountain slopes. This landscape, which includes a steep valley surrounded by peaks rising to more than 3,000 meters, is shared by Val d'Isère and its smaller adjacent resort, Tignes.

Skiers and riders can access 300 kilometers of terrain via more than 150 lifts, all of which are located over 1,550 meters in elevation. This season, two new six-person high-speed detachable chairlifts are replacing lesser lifts to further boost lift capacity.

A long ski season with ideal conditions is made possible by the altitude, abundant snowfall, and Europe's largest snow-making capacity; skiing on the Glacier du Pisaillas typically extends the ski season into June.

Skiers of all levels have plenty of options thanks to the variety and quantity of trails; enough to keep them busy for several days without having to ski the same course twice. Thanks to the new travelator, an enclosed magic carpet at the top of a gondola, reaching a calm high-altitude slope, even novice skiers may take in the high mountain views typically reserved for the more experienced.

More than 20 black slopes present a challenge for specialists, but Val d'Isere's outstanding off-piste skiing is what draws extreme skiers. Expert favorites include Tigne's above-timber-line snowfields and Pramecou's 45-degree North Face. There are many restaurants and hotels in Val d'Isere that are close to the lifts.

Location: the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie in the French Alps

Website: https://www.valdisere.com/; http://www.espacekilly.com/