Advanced Runs in the Espace Killy
The Espace Killy has a fabulous range of terrain for advanced skiers, with 25 black runs to test yourself on, you are not short of finding a challenge in this ski area.
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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!).
Advanced Runs in Grande Motte & The Palet / L'Aiguille
From Val Claret, the highest village of Tignes, head straight up the Grande Motte glacier.
All of the red runs on this glacier are worth skiing due to the fantastic snow and views and Leisse is definitely worth skiing more than once. There are some tempting moguls down either side of this piste and it is nice and quiet in the mornings.
Come down the glacier on the red runs before taking Tichot and Grattalu on the opposite side of Val Claret. For more challenging skiing off these lifts, there is the red mogul run – Le Mur – and also take Col des Ves which leads to the top of Guerlain Chicherit, the naturide black run. This is un-groomed and is usually home to some challenging moguls. The lift is currently the slowest in resort at 22mins, so although the run is well worth it, bear this in mind in poor weather!
Advanced Runs in Toviere, Les Brevieres / L'Aiguille Percee
Take the Aeroski from Tignes Le Lac and then head straight down Trolles off Piste H from the top. This is a wide black run with a steep pitch and schuss at the end. It is then worth going back up the Aeroski (if you are feeling confident with naturide runs) to do Paquerettes under the lift if it is open.
Once in Tignes Le Lac, there are a few options at the top of the Palafour lift including red runs off the Grand Huit and Aiguille Percee lifts. Epilobe is another naturide off the Chaudannes chair which may also be worth a ski if conditions are right.
In the afternoon, ski to Tignes les Brevieres on Sache, probably the most challenging black run in the resort, as it is usually full of moguls! Providing the snow conditions are good, it can be a fantastic run. There is an escape route on Echappatoire and Pavot if it does prove too tricky. Head back to Le Lac and Val by taking the Sache bubble, Aiguille Rouge, Bleuets run.
Advanced Runs in Bellevarde
From the top of Bellevarde, there are several options for steep descents down to both Solaise and La Daille. It is best to do all these lower slopes in the morning or mid morning while they are quieter and in peak condition, and then perhaps have a lazier afternoon!
You can ski Face (the ex-olympic run) which has undergone a bit of a makeover to help congestion on the run. The diggers have been hard at work over the summer smoothing and widening the run to make it suitable for World Cup comptitions and also to make it more enjoyable for regular skiers, the Epaule du Charvet (steep black moguls and only open when conditions are perfect) back down to the Olympique and Val d’Isere village. OK (world cup run), Orange, Diebold and Raye are then options down to La Daille.
In the afternoon, there is the network of blue runs available, and there is also the option to attempt the Vallee Perdue. This is an off piste run which starts at the bottom of the Tommeuses lift and involves negotiating rocks, nooks, and cranies. Depending on the time of year, you may have to clamber through holes or streams without your skis on – but it is good fun. Just make sure you have the experience, confidence and equipment to negotiate the valley.
To head back over to Tignes take the La Daille bubble up and take the Tommeuses lift and ski back down to Tignes Val Claret.
Advanced Runs in Le Fornet
Take the Train Rouge out of Val d’Isere centre to Le Fornet and the Le Fornet cable car followed by the Vallon de l’Iseran to the base of the glacier.
Advanced skiers will probably cover the Le Fornet area quite quickly although it is worth skiing every run for the excellent snow conditions. Try the Forêt, a black run through the trees down to the Le Fornet cable car and Signal, a steep red pitch at the top of the Signal drag lift.
If you are skiing in a group, are confident, and carrying avalanche equipment, there is plenty of off-piste skiing just off the edges of the pistes in Le Fornet when the snow is good.
To head back over to Tignes take the Bellevarde bubble up, ski straight to the Tommeuses lift and scoot back down to Tignes.
Advanced Runs in Le Solaise
From Val d’Isere centre, take the Solaise Express chairlift up to the Solaise skiing area.
Warm up those muscles with an easy cruise round a few blue runs in the Madeleine and Glacier Lift area in the morning. Cugnai is also nice in the morning and is definitely worth catching when it is open as it can sometimes be closed due to avalanche risk. It is worth waiting until the late morning or afternoon to ski Arcelle, which can be extremely crisp first thing in the morning, and is just off the Madeline run.
After lunch, also try to cover Pistes A, M and S which go down to the Solaise area as this will be their quietest time. You can then go back up and ski the lower runs down to Laisinant. This is an easier place to end the day as the runs back down to Solaise can get very busy. Then head back over to Tignes by taking the Bellevarde bubble up, ski straight to the Tommeuses lift and scoot back down to Tignes.
