International (Europe/Japan/Southern Hemisphere) Tignes & Val d'Isere tips + Whats up with Heli Skiing?

[RodneyBD]

Hi all, headed to Tignes with the family and looking for any tips and insider insight!

We are thinking of grabbing a guide for a half-day/day, would love to hear any info/recommendations. Powderhounds has some outfits listed ( https://www.powderhounds.com/Europe/France/Tignes/Ski-Lessons-Guiding.aspx ) but would be great to hear any 1st hand experience.

We have thought about splurging for a Heli run, but if I am reading correctly, Heli Skiing isn't allowed in France, so apparently you can either A) Ski off piste down to a valley and get picked up and brought home by a heli, or 2) Fly over the border to Italy. Any feedback/ideas would be much appreciated-

We are staying at the Lac 2100 and already have the lift ticket to ski both Tignes and Val d'Isere- Thanks for reading!

 

[DaisyD]

I can recommend both Terry and Rich at TDC (The Development Centre) in Val d'Isere, if they're available. Experienced/ skilled guides who are also full-cert instructors. We had a great time with them over two weeks in 2019, and are hoping to go back again soon.

 

[fatbob]

Book Steve Angus if you can. He's also used to taking clients on heli runs ( really a helicopter pick up after dropping off the back of somewhere.

 

[James]

You can look in this trip report lots of info. He actually stayed in Val Claret.

International (Europe/Japan/Southern Hemisphere) - Going global: L'Espace Killy=>Tignes/Val D'Isere guide 12 yo Manhattan born and bred

Introducing some international flavor from the East Coast where right now we are in the middle of a very pleasant Summer! Hi, for the benefit of those who have not suffered through my longest Trip Report on another forum, my enthusiasm remains unchained, so for those who have not seen it, here...

www.skitalk.com

 

[Swiss Toni]

Heli-skiing has been banned in France since 1985, there was a loophole in the law that allowed helicopter operators to pick up skiers after a decent, but this was closed in 2022.

If you want to go heli-skiing you will have to be dropped off in Italy.