In an honor of Jean-Claude Killy, the great French ski racer, the ski resorts of Tignes and Val d’Isere are affectionately known as L’Espace Killy (the place of Killy). They are both located in the Savoie region of France and upon first seeing the area, one cannot help but be overwhelmed by its incredible beauty.

The resorts are located close enough to one another that you can access lifts from either one to get to the other area, thus allowing you to ski both resorts in one day. I actually tried this by starting at the far right side of Tignes one day. I worked my way from right to left trying to ride each lift. It soon became obvious that I was going to have to skip a few lifts just to get to Val D’Isere and back. While I did succeed somewhat, I discovered it was not very realistic to think I’d get in every lift in both resorts in one day. They are huge, with over 190 miles of groomed slopes and extensive off-piste options!

Here is a breakdown of the size of each.

Chairlifts: Tignes/15, Val d’Isere/16
Gondolas: Tignes/2, Val d’Isere/2
Cable car: Tignes/1, Val d’Isere/3
Funicular: Tignes/1, Val d’Isere/1

It is possible to buy a lift pass for just one area, or for both areas. The ski pass is a small magnetic card that each guest places in a left side ski pant or jacket pocket. Most of the lifts have a turnstile type of system with a card reader on the left side. You don’t have to show your pass as the card reader can determine through your clothes if you have one, and then it will automatically open the turnstile gate for you.

For lodging, both resorts have options and shuttle busses. Tignes has several lodging areas: Tignes Les Boisses, Tignes 2100, Tignes-Le-Lac, and Val Claret. Tignes Les Boisses is further down the valley than the others are and offers a free bus shuttle (about 8-10 minutes) up to the aforementioned areas. The other three lodging areas are located one after the other on the single road leading up to the final stop, which is Val Claret. At Val Claret, you can load the funicular (a high-speed underground train) to the Panoramic Restaurant, and view the Grand Motte Glacier while you eat your lunch.

Val d’Iseres main lift stations are located in town of the same name. This is more like the quaint typical resort town and the lodging prices reflect accordingly. While Val d’Isere also has lift stations just outside each end of the town, their shuttle bus also runs regularly.

If you tire of skiing and need a day off for another adventure, the resorts have many activities to choose from. Skating, indoor tennis, hang gliding, dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice-climbing are just a few of your options.

To get to either resort, the main airports used are Lyon or Geneva. You can take the train from either airport to Bourg St. Maurice, and then have a taxi deliver you the last 20 miles to the resort. Coach busses are also available from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery. If you are renting a car and your destination is Tignes, you can park free at Tignes Les Boisses and take the (free) shuttle to your hotel, otherwise expect to pay near 40 Euros for parking up at the main Tignes areas.

It is easy to see why Tignes and Val d’Isere are so popular in France. Their higher elevation guarantees good snow, even on marginal snow years. Try to visit these resorts and become enchanted with the Savoie region as I have. You won’t be disappointed!