Top Skiing In Espace Killy

If you're sifting through the range of last minute ski holidays on offer, why not consider the region of southwest France in and around the Tarentaise Valley? Not only is this region in the very heart of the French Alps, it is also connected to the largest skiing network in Europe. So, if you decide you want to tackle a different slope every day on your last minute ski holidays, it won't be a problem! Just hop on a bus, gondola or funicular and in no time you’ll be able to explore all the nearby slopes, still with the convenience of being able to get home easily.

If you book your holiday to go skiing in the Espace Killy, you’ll have the option of staying in or around the two exceptional resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isère. Here's what you can expect if you do.

Tignes

Tignes is an excellent choice for last minute ski holidays because it not only has a great selection of slopes, it also has quite a lot of history as well. Originally, it was just a small mountain village, but after World War II the area needed power so a massive dam was built. This drowned the original village (a planned event) so it had to be entirely rebuilt. The modern incarnation saw the region divided into five different villages, all of which are ideal for a pleasant winter break.

The actual resort area of Tignes was created in the 1960s, and in 1992 it played host to the Free-Styling event of that year's Olympic Games. It was also home to the Paralympics the same year.

Tignes offers a range of slopes suitable for all skill levels. It is situated on the Grande Motte Glacier and, as such, is able to offer year-round skiing. The high slopes are located at up to 3456 metres so there's great coverage, however the resort also has plenty of snow cannons to ensure nobody goes home disappointed. Tignes is also home to the fourth longest funicular in the world, which itself is a wonderful attraction.

Val d'Isère

Located just a few miles from the border with Italy, Val d'Isère is a perfect place to base yourself in order to explore the Tarentaise Valley and get the most of the massive connected Three Valleys system. The chalets here are particularly attractive in terms of their architectural style and, along with the convenience of the resort, this adds to its popularity for last minute ski holidays.

The skiing here is absolutely superb, as attested to by the fact that it hosted a number of different skiing events in the 1992 Olympics. Like Tignes, Val d'Isère position near the Pissaillas Glacier helps to guarantee that there will be good snow coverage on the slopes for those last minute ski holidays.

Val d'Isère is perfect for beginners and intermediates with a lot of easy to manage slopes, but the region also has quite a lot of challenging off-piste trails for the experts. Of course, even for the well experienced it is always advised to use the services of an experienced local guide when heading off-piste.

Tignes or Val d'Isère – the choice is yours! You won't be disappointed with either.

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays in La Tania and other fantastic locations. If you're looking for last minute ski holidays in catered or self catered chalets, we can help. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday call Ski Amis.